[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 69 (Friday, May 24, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E929]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           MEMORIAL DAY 2002

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                          HON. STENY H. HOYER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 23, 2002

  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute in advance of 
this Monday's Memorial Day celebrations to the brave men and women who 
have sacrificed their lives while serving our country in the armed 
services. Memorial Day, originally founded as Decoration Day in 1868, 
is the one day a year that all Americans pay their respects to those 
killed in war.
  The day's rituals are rooted in the tradition established by family 
members and friends who gathered in cemeteries to adorn the grave sites 
of loved ones who had died in battle with flowers, ribbon, and 
memorabilia. Today, we continue that tradition and gather as a country 
at important places of remembrance, such as Arlington National Cemetery 
or the World War II Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in France, 
to demonstrate our appreciation and acknowledge the sacrifice of those 
who lost their lives in our perpetual fight to maintain our freedom and 
sovereignty.
  This unique holiday is a time to reflect on what those who have died 
sacrificed on our behalf and give tribute to their selfless spirit. On 
November 11th, we laud our veterans for their bravery and dedication to 
duty. We hail our Independence on the 4th of July. On Thanksgiving Day, 
we give thanks for all that we have. The last Monday in May, however, 
is set aside to mourn those who died on the battlefield defending our 
Constitution, our country and our way of life--although we should 
certainly not confine our recognition to this one day.
  We see this recognition and appreciation carried out in acts around 
the country, such as that of the 1,200 soldiers of the 3rd U.S. 
Infantry who place small American flags at each of the more than 
260,000 gravestones at Arlington National Cemetery and patrol the 
Cemetery without cessation throughout the weekend to ensure each flag 
remains standing; or that of the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts who place a 
candle at each of the approximately 15,300 grave sites of soldiers 
buried at Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park on 
Marye's Heights.
  Throughout the country, our landscape is embedded with powerful 
symbols and monuments that reflect our heritage. These symbols strive 
to keep us aware of all of those who have come before us. In our busy 
lives however, we often take our veterans and war heroes for granted. 
But I believe most Americans would agree that their valiant efforts 
should always be at the forefront of our collective memory and we 
should be careful to observe this important day to honor our fallen 
countrymen.
  September 11th emphasized the importance of words like liberty, 
freedom and justice. We lost a tremendous number of men and women 
through an act of cowardice that caught us off-guard. And as so many 
had done before them, our nation's service men and women responded to 
our nation's call in the wake of that attack with fervor.
  In Congress, we are working to support our troops abroad and 
strengthen America at home. The Department of Defense Authorization 
bill that recently passed the House of Representatives authorized over 
$7 billion to combat terrorism and weapons of mass destruction. The 
bill also included pay raises of 4.1 percent or more for military 
personnel, over $10 billion for military construction and family 
housing projects, and extended pay for certain reservists.
  It also mends a disparity for military retirees who have not been 
able to receive their retiree pay as well as their disability pay. This 
bill will help improve our defensive readiness and improve the quality 
of life for all our active duty and veteran service men and women.
  The fallen heroes who acted selflessly throughout our history in the 
face of tyranny and oppression fought a foe that we are still fighting 
to this very day. President John F. Kennedy once said, ``A man does 
what he must--in spite of personal consequences, in spite of obstacles 
and dangers--and this is the basis of all human morality.'' All 
American's can learn from the bravery and courage of our lost soldiers. 
I urge my Colleagues to take a moment this Memorial Day and appreciate 
the freedom we have by remembering our fallen heroes.

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