[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 42 (Wednesday, March 17, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E453]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     CENTRAL NEW YORK WORLD WAR I VETS HONORED BY FRENCH GOVERNMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES T. WALSH

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 17, 1999

  Mr. WALSH. Mr. Speaker, on Wednesday, March 24, 1999 at the Syracuse, 
New York Veterans Administration Medical Center, two Central New York 
constituents of mine, both veterans of World War I, will be honored by 
the French government with a presentation of the National Order of the 
Legion of Honor, that country's highest honor.
  As Chairman of the VA/HUD Subcommittee on Appropriations, I am 
extremely proud to know that these American warriors will be decorated 
in this way for their role in winning the war on French soil. They 
reflect the bravery and courage of thousands of young Americans who 
dutifully represented our nation and freedom-loving people everywhere.
  They are David Ginsburg and Eugene Lee, two men who left as teens and 
returned to their community in Syracuse to continue on with their 
lives, raise families, and cherish freedom even more--knowing that they 
had done their duty to country, and that they had seen the darker side 
of mankind, but also the rewards of valor.
  In 1917, David Ginsburg, who will celebrate his 101st birthday on 
April 18 this year, enlisted in the National Guard 4th Ambulance 
Company, a unit that was part of the American Expeditionary Forces sent 
to Mexico to capture Pancho Villa. After returning to the U.S., the 
unit was sent to France while World War I raged. After the war, Mr. 
Ginsburg joined the Marine Corps and served for 16 years. Today he is 
believed to be the oldest living Marine Corps Drill Instructor. He has 
been an active member of the Jewish War Veterans Post 131. He returned 
to civilian life in Syracuse to work for more than 35 years for the 
Eastwood, Netherland and Seneca Dairies.
  Also in 1917, Eugene Lee, who will celebrate his 100th birthday on 
the very day of this ceremony, enlisted in the Marine Corps. Among the 
first Marines sent to France, he was wounded while fighting the Germans 
at Belleau Wood on June 6 and 7, 1918. Following recovery, he served in 
Germany with the Army of Occupation. He was one of the last American 
troops to return home after the war. He was awarded the Purple Heart 
and Silver Star for Heroism. Mr. Lee returned home and worked 42 years 
for New York Lighting Company, which today is Niagara Mohawk.
  We applaud these two individuals on the occasion of this great 
commemorative honor. I also want to thank the French government for 
making this award.

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