[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 66 (Thursday, May 21, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S5317]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           MEMORIAL DAY 1998

  Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, since the Civil War, more than 1.1 million 
American veterans have lost their lives in service to our Nation. I am 
humbled by their sacrifice.
  I am grateful for the price they have paid for our liberty, the 
terrible price of individual lives, of men and women who were part of 
families. As we approach this Memorial Day, I want to pause a moment 
during this debate to remember their gift.
  I am especially proud of Utah's proud tradition of honorable service. 
The story of the Mormon pioneers who made the grueling trek across the 
plains and over the Great Divide to escape persecution, in search of 
religious freedom is well known. Perhaps less well known is the story 
of the Mormon battalion.
  Mr. President, in 1846, while there was an active order in effect in 
the state of Missouri for the extermination of Mormons, these Americans 
who had been driven from their homes in Nauvoo, Illinois, were asked to 
assemble a battalion of 500 men. With their ranks and strength already 
significantly depleted by disease, hardship, and persecution, most 
would have understood if the story had ended with an indignant refusal 
to respond to the request.
  Instead, led by Brigham Young, these fathers, brothers, and sons who 
had seen their rights as Americans trampled, stepped forward to answer 
their country's call. I might mention that among them was a young man 
named Orrin Hatch.
  This same, passionate willingness to serve one's country still 
thrives throughout my state. I remember today and honor the 147,000 
veterans throughout the state of Utah who have honorably served. But, 
on Memorial Day, we especially remember those who left in service to 
our country but who did not return. They have preserved freedom for all 
generations who followed.

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