[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 52 (Tuesday, May 2, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S3254]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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              TRIBUTE TO THE NAVY NURSES OF THE KOREAN WAR

 Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, I am deeply honored to rise in 
tribute to over 3,000 courageous professional Navy Nurses of the Korean 
War, undaunted in the face of danger, who unselfishly answered the call 
of duty. They came from every corner of the nation. They came from all 
walks of life. They joined the Navy because they wanted to serve their 
country. They wanted to share their professional nursing skills and to 
care for those injured in body, mind and spirit.
  The Navy nurses of the Korean War claim they did nothing special, 
they were just doing their job. But in the hearts of all who served 
with them, the doctors and the corpsmen, and their patients, Navy 
Nurses of the Korean War are true American heroes.
  During the Korean War, whole blood could only be kept for eight days. 
Hospital ships were in Korean waters for weeks, months. Navy nurses 
gave their own blood for patient transfusions. Many aboard the hospital 
ship Haven were found to be anemic from giving so much of their blood 
for the injured.
  Nurses worked around the clock during the mass casualties brought in 
from battles like Chosin Reservoir. Many times they worked 96 hours 
with just two hours of sleep in between swells of patients. Ever 
resilient and effervescent, Navy Nurses of the Korea War volunteered to 
assist orphanages in Inchon and Pusan caring for sick and wounded 
children. Severely injured children were brought back to hospital ships 
for surgery like having shrapnel removed from head wounds.
  Nurses ventured into POW camps to ensure that children in these camps 
were treated and inoculated. Whether the nurses were stationed close to 
the fighting aboard hospital ships in Korean waters, at Naval Hospital 
Yokosuka, Japan, at other medical facilities in the Far East or on the 
home front, nurses were always there for their patients . . . their 
patients always came first.
  Fifty years ago, Navy Nurses who served during the Korean War came 
home to quietly live their lives. For fifty years our nation has not 
known about this group of patriotic nurses who volunteered to serve our 
country. And they did it because they wanted to. They did it because 
they cared about our nation. They did it because they wanted to share 
their nursing skills. They did it because of their respect for life.
  Let us not wait a day longer. Let us remember how these courageous, 
patriotic women answered the call of their country. And let us remember 
those Navy nurses who made it home in spirit only to live on in the 
hearts of family, friends and their fellow countrymen. Let us remember 
those Navy Nurses of the Korean War who are now in nursing homes and 
long-term care facilities. These nurses who once fought so valiantly to 
save the lives of their patients, now fight each day for their own 
survival.
  Navy Nurses of the Korean War, you are forgotten no more. You shall 
remain in the hearts and spirits of all Americans. Let your story be 
told. Let your story be heard. Let your story be preserved in our 
history and remembered for decades to come. Your sacrifices and 
uncommon valor sparks the fire of patriotism, the foundation of our 
nation.
  Navy Nurses of the Korean War, your unfaltering commitment of service 
to our country brings pride and honor to us. Mr. President, I ask my 
colleagues in the Senate to join me in remembering these quiet heroes--
the Navy Nurses of the Korean War.
  Navy Nurses of the Korean War . . . thank you from the bottom of our 
hearts. You are our heroes. You are forever remembered in the hearts 
and souls of your fellow countrymen. You are forever remembered in the 
history of our Nation.

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