[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 160 (Thursday, November 13, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2345]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E2345]]



                        IN HONOR OF VETERANS DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CAROLYN McCARTHY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 13, 1997

  Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with my fellow 
Americans to demonstrate my pride in all the men and women who have 
served in our Armed Forces by observing Veterans Day. Officially 
designated in 1938 as ``A National Day of Remembrance,'' commemorating 
the end of World War I, this special day is now deeply embedded in our 
Nation's tradition and culture. It is a day that generates a myriad of 
feelings and activities. Many of us will make a special effort to say 
``thank you'' to our fathers and mothers, uncles and aunts, brothers 
and sisters, sons and daughters, friends and colleagues for their 
service in America's Armed Forces. Others of us will make a sacred 
pilgrimage to a national cemetery in order to give thanks for the lives 
of our beloved soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines who have died in 
service to America.
  These are appropriate and important ways to recognize Veterans Day--
because all of these choices are available to us only because of the 
commitment and sacrifice of the millions of men and women who have, 
with great pride and honor, worn the uniform of the United States of 
America. They, more than any of us, know that they served so that the 
rest of us can fully enjoy the fruits of their sacrifice and 
endeavors--so that the rest of us can live and thrive in a country 
deeply and securely grounded in freedom and liberty.
  Americans have traditionally remembered all the men and women who 
have served in our Armed Forces by building majestic and moving 
monuments in their honor. These impressive structures stand as strong 
symbols of our national appreciation for the courage and heroism of our 
Armed Forces. But these magnificent memorials and statues are not 
enough to fullfill our Nation's commitment to our veterans. In order to 
carry out our national responsibility, America has, since the earliest 
days of our republic, given life to the many impressive memorials by 
also providing programs and benefits designed to touch and enhance the 
lives of our veterans.
  We remember and honor our veterans when we assist them in their 
readjustment to the civilian community by offering GI bill education 
benefits and job-search assistance; when we provide compensation 
payments to those with service connected disabilities and when we 
provide health care for sick and injured veterans through the VA 
medical care system.
  These programs and benefits, which give life to our national 
commitment to veterans, must be maintained and perfected. They are 
tangible symbols of our respect for, and gratitude to, those who serve 
on our behalf in the armed services. Accordingly, we must ensure that 
veterans' programs and benefits continue to effectively fulfill their 
purposes--and to ensure that the funding necessary to accomplish this 
goal is provided.
  Perhaps the best way to show our appreciation to our veterans, who 
have sustained and protected us during times of both war and peace, is 
by exercising our most precious freedoms--voting, worshipping, 
traveling where and when we want, and expressing our opinions freely. 
We owe all these freedoms to our veterans. I would like to take this 
opportunity to thank our veterans and encourage the rest of the nation 
to do the same.

                          ____________________