[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 93 (Tuesday, July 14, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1294-E1295]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              COMMENDING THE TOWN OF CHESHIRE, CONNECTICUT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES H. MALONEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 14, 1998

  Mr. MALONEY of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, during this past Fourth of 
July district work period, most of us participated in a variety of 
events in our congressional districts across the nation that 
underscored the patriotism that we all hold for our country. These 
events reminded us all of our heritage and the privilege of living in 
the greatest nation in the world.
  Such a reminder should be noted not only on one day a year, but day-
in and day-out. Accordingly, the people of the Town of Cheshire in my 
congressional district have recently taken steps to make patriotic 
pride a mainstay of every day life in their community. This past April 
25th, the Town dedicated the Medal of Honor Plaza and a ``Living 
Classroom of Historic Trees'' to honor the Town's two Congressional 
Medal of Honor recipients, as well as other veterans with roots in 
Cheshire.
  Captain Eri Woodbury, who fought with the Vermont Cavalry during the 
Civil War was the Town's first recipient in 1864. He was followed in 
1965 by Vietnam War veteran Col. Harvey C. Barnum, USMC (Ret.). Only 
3,500 individuals have received the Congressional Medal of Honor since 
its inception in 1862. Given the town's relatively small population of 
about 26,000, two Medal of Honor recipients is a highly notable 
distinction.
  Near the center of the Town there now stands a black granite monument 
commemorating Captain Woodbury and Col. Barnum. The memorial is 
centered on a star shaped Plaza paved with bricks, each one bearing the 
name of one of over 400 other veterans with ties to Cheshire.
  The ``Living Classroom of Historic Trees'' are seedlings taken from 
historic trees from

[[Page E1295]]

around the country: Valley Forge, the Gettysburg battlefield where 
President Lincoln delivered his Gettysburg Address, the site of George 
Washington's Delaware River crossing, Mt. Vernon, Nathan Hale's home in 
Connecticut, as well as the Charter Oak, the famous Connecticut state 
tree. These historic trees represent not only great events, but people 
who made significant contributions to the history of our country.
  Mr. Speaker, the Plaza and the Historic Trees are visible reminders 
of the fact that freedom is not free, but, indeed, comes only at great 
price. The Town of Cheshire is a proud community, proud of its heritage 
and that of our nation. The Cheshire Plaza signifies that pride, and 
the Town and its residents are to be commended for it.

                          ____________________