[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 68 (Wednesday, May 12, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E942]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          TRIBUTE TO MARTIN L. VINGER OF DODGEVILLE, WISCONSIN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. TAMMY BALDWIN

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 12, 1999

  Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize World War I 
veteran Martin L. Vinger, of Dodgeville, Wisconsin. Mr. Vinger has been 
recognized by the French government in solemn tribute to his World War 
I service. He valiantly served on French soil to aid in the liberation 
of France, and for his service he has been awarded The National Order 
of the Legion of Honor, the highest military honor that can be bestowed 
upon non-French soldiers.
  With an extraordinary sense of dedication and commitment, Mr. Vinger 
enlisted in the U.S. Army on April 11, 1918 at the age of sixteen. He 
then departed for France in July of that year. He returned to the 
United States in February, 1919 and was discharged the following month.
  At the time of his award, Mr. Vinger stated from his own wartime 
experiences that we Americans today must remember to keep our democracy 
alive, ``because if we lose it, it will be a long time getting it 
back.'' One can only imagine what a different world we might be living 
in today had not Mr. Vinger and other brave young men and women served 
on the many fronts of the ``war to end all wars.'' It is with sincere 
gratitude and the utmost respect that I rise today to ask that the 
Congress of the United States join with me in recognizing the selfless 
service of Mr. Martin L. Vinger.

                          ____________________