[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 72 (Wednesday, May 23, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E907-E908]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO MR. TOM SCHEPERS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 23, 2001

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in celebration of the 
tremendous achievement by a constituent of mine from South St. Paul, 
Minnesota, Mr. Tom Schepers.
  Last November, on Veterans' Day, the Washington, D.C. area welcomed 
Tom Schepers, as he completed his 5-month, 3,300 mile run in support of 
the World War II Veterans Memorial. Beginning at Camp Pendelton, 
California on D-Day, June 6th, 2000, Mr. Schepers covered 25 miles a 
day, 6 days a week through the Mojave Desert, thin Rocky Mountain air 
and other extreme conditions. This was no ordinary run. While many 
Americans would struggle to complete even a single day of such an 
exhaustive journey, Mr. Schepers completed it while carrying an 
American flag and a POW/MIA flag on a 10-foot flagpole as well as a 10 
lb weight belt, representing the emotional weight borne by the World 
War II Veterans for over 50 years.
  Mr. Schepers heroic story is a tribute to the will and determination 
of our nation's Veterans. A decorated Vietnam Marine Veteran,

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earning the Purple Heart and Bronze Star, Mr. Schepers was shot through 
the leg and foot while saving a fallen comrade. He was not expected to 
ever walk again, let alone run. But through commitment, sheer 
determination and pushing himself to his physical limits, he battled 
back to health. Today, he devotes much of his time assisting ailing 
Veterans and working to raise awareness to issues of importance for all 
Veterans. He has logged over 3,500 miles while running for both 
Vietnam, and Korean War Veterans, in between working as a registered 
nurse and keeping-up with his three grown children, Melissa, Jennifer 
and Matthew.
  Although Mr. Schepers' story may be news to many, the plight of our 
World War II Veterans is too frequently forgotten. According to the 
Veterans of Foreign Wars, of the 16 million Americans that served in 
World War II, 672,000 were injured and 406,000 died. Each day of 
freedom we live, we owe to them. Mr. Schepers' tribute to this great 
American generation is a welcome sight, and one that all Americans must 
not take for granted.
  As the spouse of a Vietnam Veteran, it is both a privilege and an 
honor to recognize Mr. Schepers for his dedication to our nation's 
Veterans and for his unwavering commitment to our country. All Veterans 
deserve our full, undivided respect and admiration for the sacrifices 
they have made to preserve our freedom. Tom Schepers is a hero for his 
service as well as for the gratitude he has demonstrated for those who 
have served our country.

                          ____________________