[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 50 (Wednesday, April 29, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E695]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         TRIBUTE TO CHUCK MONGES AND THE LEGION OF VALOR MUSEUM

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. GEORGE P. RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 29, 1998

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Chuck Monges 
and the Legion of Valor Museum. Chuck Monges, a World War II war 
veteran, founded the Legion of Valor Museum in 1991. Chuck Monges has 
committed himself to the museum and is very deserving of this 
recognition.
  The Legion of Valor is an association of those whose valor has been 
recognized by award of our nation's two highest decorations. These high 
medals of decoration are the Medal of Honor of the Navy, Army or Air 
Force; and the Army Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross, or Air 
Force Cross.
  Organized on April 23, 1890, The Legion of Valor is the nation's 
senior organization of veterans. It was chartered by public law 224, an 
act of Congress, and approved by the president on August 4, 1955. The 
principles of the Legion of Valor are patriotic allegiance to the 
United States of America, fidelity to its constitution and laws, the 
security of civil liberties, and the perpetuation of free institutions.
  The museum was the dream of Chuck Monges, a retired Major of the 
United States Army. Major Monges was a recipient of the Navy Cross 
while serving as a U.S. Marine at the Battle of Saipan during World War 
II. Major Monges started his project in 1991 with his wife, Anita, 
working at his side. Major Monges received permission from the City 
Council of the City of Fresno to rehabilitate an abandoned storeroom of 
the theater in the Fresno Memorial Auditorium. What started as an 
impossible pile of junk has developed into the most unique and 
inspiring military museum in the United States.
  The museum staff currently consists of 25 volunteer docents. There is 
no paid staff. The 10,000 square feet of space is filled with uniforms, 
equipment, weapons and memorabilia representing all wars from the Civil 
War through Dessert Storm. Included are numerous fighting plane and 
fighting ship models. All items on display have been donated to the 
museum.
  The museum lobby contains large replicas of the Medals of Honor, 
Service Crosses, Silver Star, and Bronze and Purple Heart with the 
names of Fresno County recipients on brass plaques under the medals. In 
front of the building are flagpoles with the flags of the armed 
Services and Veterans Organizations.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor that I pay tribute to Chuck 
Monges and The Legion of Valor Museum. It is the leadership and 
dedication exhibited by Chuck Monges that should serve as a model for 
service men and women the world over. I ask my colleagues to join me in 
wishing Chuck Monges and the Legion of Valor many years of continued 
success.

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