[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 74 (Friday, June 7, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E990]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       58TH ANNIVERSARY OF D-DAY

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                            HON. IKE SKELTON

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 6, 2002

  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, today marks the 58th Anniversary of D-Day. 
It was June 6, 1944 when American and Allied forces landed on the 
beaches of Normandy, France, which began the continental campaign 
against Hitler's Nazi Germany. The 1th Infantry Division chaplain, 
Major Kovach, recently offered this prayer regarding the sacrifices 
American fighting men made on that effort some 58 years ago. The prayer 
is set out in text as follows:


       Almighty, eternal God, we bow before you during this solemn 
     moment of remembrance. we find ourselves standing on hallowed 
     ground... ground consecrated by the blood of those who have 
     made the ultimate sacrifice for the cause of freedom, and 
     their families gathered to honor the memory of their loved 
     ones.
       58 years ago, men of extraordinary courage fought for this 
     very ground upon which we stand today. it is nearly 
     impossible to conceive of the enormous price exacted to 
     insure liberty's light would never grow dim. Only by the 
     grace of God, the determined spirit of men like those 
     memorialized here was freedom won and peace preserved.
       But keep us mindful Lord that freedom is not free. That it 
     takes men and women of valor to win it, and a people 
     committed to character and principle to keep it. May we stand 
     firm to keep the peace others have given their lives to win 
     and may it call us to a renewed appreciation for the liberty 
     and opportunities which have been safeguarded by their 
     sacrifice.
       As we walk by this memorial and countless graves, may we 
     never again entertain thoughts of indifference or 
     forgetfulness. May we pause and rededicate ourselves to the 
     highest ideals our fallen comrades lived and died for. And, 
     following their example, commit ourselves this day to the 
     ultimate virtue of self-sacrifice in service to God, to 
     country, and to our fellow man, that the memory of those who 
     fought and died be properly preserved, and their lives not 
     sacrificed in vain.
       In Your most holy name we pray. Amen.

       

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