[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 35 (Wednesday, March 25, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E469]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HOME OF THE HEROES CELEBRATION

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                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 25, 1998

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, please include the following editorial in 
the Congressional Record.

            [From the Chieftain, Pueblo, CO, Mar. 25, 1998]

                         Home of Heroes, Truly

       Since the beginning of World War II, about 30 million 
     Americans have served in this nation's armed forces.
       Of all of those people, only a small number have been 
     awarded the Medal of Honor. And of that number, more than 
     half were awarded it posthumously, meaning even fewer have 
     received the nation's highest honor while alive.
       Now the astounding part. Four of the living recipients grew 
     up and attended schools in Pueblo.
       And two of them attended the same high school, Central. 
     Pueblo is the only city in the nation to be the home of four 
     Medal of Honor recipients, and Central is the only high 
     school to claim two.
       William Crawford, now of Palmer Lake, and Carl Sitter of 
     Richmond, VA. attended Central High, Jerry Murphy of 
     Albuquerque attended Pueblo Catholic High school, and Drew 
     Dix of Pueblo and Fairbanks, Alaska, attended Centennial High 
     School.
       A week ago, as a heavy spring storm raced through Pueblo, 
     the four recipients attended the unveiling at the Pueblo 
     Convention Center of the Home of Heroes display honoring 
     these four special men.
       The display features a uniform from each of the four, plus 
     replicas of their medals and blowups of Associated Press news 
     photos taken about the same time in the same area where the 
     Puebloans earned their honors. Press a button and an 
     electronic recording details each man's heroism.
       Their fellow Puebloans showed the depth of their respect 
     when about 200 braved the storm to attend the ceremonies. The 
     gentlemen were obviously touched by the outpouring of respect 
     and honor they received while here.
       Now Pueblo is urging the Medal of Honor Society to hold its 
     annual meeting here in 2000. That is when a statue honoring 
     Pueblo's four recipients specifically and all Medal 
     recipients in general is to be dedicated.
       The project was organized by our publisher, Robert H. 
     Rawlings, and is being supported by foundations and 
     individuals from throughout the state.
       Two Puebloans were surprised by the Medal of Honor Society, 
     Doug Sterner, who along with his wife Pam began the Home of 
     Heroes celebrations and who designed the concept behind the 
     Home of Heroes diorama, was given the Society's prestigious 
     distinguished Service Award. He accepted the award on behalf 
     of his entire family.
       This week Mr. Sterner was both proud of the honor and 
     modest. As he put it to us, ``I feel this honor goes to all 
     of Pueblo. Pueblo has been so supportive'' of the Home of 
     Heroes program.
       Yes, Pueblo truly is the Home of Heroes. We are all 
     mightily proud of them and appreciate the ``conspicuous 
     gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of life above 
     and beyond the call of duty'' which earned them the Medal of 
     Honor--and their nation's undying gratitude.

     

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