[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 162 (Tuesday, November 16, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2389]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E2389]]



                      HONORING AMERICA'S VETERANS

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                            HON. MARK FOLEY

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 16, 1999

  Mr. FOLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my gratitude to the 
millions of veterans who have sacrificed in order to protect the 
freedoms that are enjoyed by all Americans. Last week, we celebrated a 
very important day in America--Veteran's Day. At a ceremony honoring 
veterans at Jupiter Christian School in my congressional district, 
several students shared their thoughts on Veteran's Day through poetry.
  Despite their youth, these students wrote stirring reminders of the 
respect and awe we feel for our veterans. These young poets displayed a 
tremendous understanding of why we honor our veterans and a remarkable 
sensitivity for the courage of the men and women who fought to preserve 
the liberty of our country. I believe that the entire Congress should 
hear these poems and reflect on their meaning and I submit them for the 
Record.

                          Did You Ever Wonder?

                      (By Kevin Maida, 10th grade)

     Did you ever wonder how it could be
     To live in a country where no one is free?
     Where decisions never are your own,
     And you are told what to do, even at home?
     Freedom merely just a word . . .
     Never spoken, never heard.

     Did you ever wonder about fighters on the foreign sand
     Risking their lives to protect our land?
     How courageous and brave they must be,
     To leave their loved ones and live at sea!
     Fathers, sons, daughters, and brothers
     Making a sacrifice for the freedom of others.
     Giving all they had and so much more,
     Awaiting the day they returned to shore.
     Do you take for granted the life that you live?
     Or are you truly grateful for what they did?
     Think of these words; let them sink in,
     ``How would our world be, if not for these men?''

                             Veteran's Day

                   (By Jennifer VanNest, 10th grade)

     We honor the men dead and alive
     That fought to make sure freedom survived.
     We must never forget the sacrifice made
     To protect our country, with their lives, they paid.
     We need to remember the families that grieve,
     The sons and daughters and wives these men leave.
     We seek to praise the Vets this day
     And give homage to their bravery in some kind way.
     So break out the flag and start the parade
     November 11th
     Is Veteran's Day!

                        Freedom Through The Ages

                     (By Pam DeSanctis, 12th grade)

     You are a hero for today,
     For this I give thanks and pray.
     Through your continuous bravery
     You have given us history and Liberty.
     For this I give you thanks and pray.
     Nothing compares to the courage you've known
     Or the bravery that you've shown.
     We recognize the veteran's today,
     And for this I give thanks and pray.
     Like guardian angels sent to protect
     The rights of your generation and those of the next,
     You made us proud of the U.S.A.,
     And for this I give thanks and pray.
     May God hold you in His hand,
     With this I give you one last command;
     Obey the Lord in every way.
     Honor Him, give thanks, and pray.

     

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