[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 99 (Wednesday, July 14, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S8528]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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      TRIBUTE TO EVERETT McKENNEY, LEGION OF HONOR AWARD RECIPIENT

 Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, I rise to congratulate a courageous 
World War I veteran from my home state of Maine who on Friday will be 
awarded the most prestigious honor that France bestows, the National 
Order of the Legion of Honor.
  Everett McKenney who has lived in Augusta and Waterville will receive 
this distinguished honor for the tremendous sacrifices he made to 
safeguard freedom and democracy while serving in France during the 
first World War.
  In 1998, the French Government announced Project 1918-1998. The 
purpose of Project 1918-1998 is to honor the 80th anniversary of the 
armistice of World War I, and as part of this undertaking, France 
announced that it would award the Legion of Honor designation to 
surviving American veterans who, like Mr. McKenney, served in France 
between 1914 and 1918. This step is taken in recognition of the 
decisive support Americans gave to French soldiers as they fought to 
defend French soil.
  Up to 1,000 American veterans who served in France during World War I 
may still be alive today, and there is a search underway to locate as 
many of these men and women as possible.
  Private Everett McKenney, who is 104 and a longtime resident of 
Waterville and Augusta, has two daughters, five grandchildren, four 
great grandchildren, and one great, great grandchild. He was the 
youngest of four children and was born in Freedom, Maine in 1895. He 
enlisted in July 1918 at 23, in Waterville. He was stationed in Fort 
Devens, Massachusetts and received special training in New Jersey. He 
was assigned to the 41st Rainbow Division and later was assigned to the 
101st Field Artillery unit. In New Jersey, he was notified to pack his 
gear and prepare for an overseas assignment. During a 12-day Atlantic 
crossing, a flu epidemic broke out and many of his comrades were buried 
at sea. This would be the first of many trials he would face.
  I have nothing but the utmost respect for those who have served with 
courage, honor and distinction when their country--and the world--
needed them so desperately. Indeed, I am truly honored to represent 
these men and women as Maine's senior Senator.
  On November 11, 1918, almost 81 years ago, at the eleventh hour, the 
Armistice was signed in France that silenced the guns and ended the 
carnage of World War I. From the War for Independence, to World War I, 
through the Persian Gulf War and the Balkans more than two hundred 
years later, Americans like Everett have answered the call to duty--not 
for the glory or conquest or empire, but to ensure that the flame of 
liberty burns ever brightly.
  The debt of gratitude owed to our veterans can never be fully repaid. 
What we can and must do for those who, like Mr. McKenney, answered the 
call to duty is keep alive the values of freedom and democracy they 
have defended, and honor them as the guardians of those ideals.
  Elmer Runyon once wrote that: ``We will remain the home of the free 
only as long as we are also the home of the brave.'' Today, America and 
the world is basking in the shine of freedom because of yesterday's and 
today's service men and women--who offer nobly to sacrifice in war so 
that others may live in peace. These are America's true heroes.
  This occasion reminds us that winning freedom is not the same as 
keeping it. The cost of safeguarding freedom is high. It requires 
vigilance and sacrifice. Time and again when freedom has been 
threatened, men like Everett McKenney emerged as heroes. America's 
veterans have served our country and the world ably in times of need, 
and know well the personal sacrifices which the defense of freedom 
demands. It is a true honor to congratulate Mr. McKenney on a well-
deserved recognition.

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