[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 1 (Tuesday, January 27, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E12]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     CONTRIBUTION BY LIZ MOWRY TO THE SOLDIERS AND SAILORS MEMORIAL

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                         HON. MICHAEL F. DOYLE

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 27, 1998

  Mr. DOYLE. Mr. Speaker, we honor our veterans not only by recognizing 
what they have done for this country, but also by remembering what they 
sacrificed to achieve that goal. For many families in Southwestern 
Pennsylvania, like mine, who have family members that served during 
wartime, we are reminded every day about these sacrifices.
  Late last year, a resident of my district, Liz Mowry of Munhall, 
Pennsylvania, gave a very special gift to the Pittsburgh community. Her 
contribution will not only help to honor our veterans, but it will also 
help our entire nation understand and remember the supreme sacrifices 
they made during wartime in order to protect the freedoms we enjoy 
today.
  This gift was many personal possessions owned by her father during 
his service in World War I, which Ms. Mowry donated to the Soldiers and 
Sailors Memorial in Pittsburgh, the Commonwealth's, and the nation's 
second largest veterans' museum. These items are significant for many 
reasons.
  One of the most impressive features is the excellent condition of the 
items, given their age. In fact, the centerpiece of the collection is a 
military uniform, now over 80 years old, in museum-quality shape. Other 
items Ms. Mowry is giving to the Memorial are WWI photos and a copy of 
the diary her father kept during his service.
  These items are also historically significant because of their owner. 
Sergeant William Edward ``Doc'' Handschuh, Ms. Mowry's father, was a 
member of Company 3, the lst Air Service Mechanical Regiment. His work 
included servicing planes flown by WWI flying ace Edward Rickenbacher, 
who some consider to be one of the best, and most famous, pilots in 
history.
  However, the most important thing Sergeant Handschuh left his family 
was not his service memorabilia, but the pride he felt for his service, 
and his country. While these lessons cannot be hung in a museum, they 
live in the minds and hearts of Sergeant Handschuh's family.
  Liz Mowry and her family have kept her father's wartime memories as a 
reminder of his service. Now, these rare pieces of American history can 
teach us all more about the young Americans that fought in the early 
years of this century to protect this nation's future.
  I add my sincere gratitude to that of the entire Pittsburgh community 
for the gift Ms. Mowry has bestowed on the Soldiers and Sailors 
Memorial. Our community has a long history of honoring military 
service, and her donation will continue that tradition, giving all 
Memorial visitor's the opportunity to learn more about the veterans of 
WWI.

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