[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 90 (Monday, July 8, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1199]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   IN RECOGNITION OF HOWARD BERNSTEIN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. E. CLAY SHAW, JR.

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, July 8, 2002

  Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to my constituent 
and friend, Howard Bernstein, of Boca Raton, Florida.
  In 1945, instead of being at home with his family, Howard Bernstein 
was on a ship near Okinawa, Japan, ``engulfed in the fight for 
freedom.'' He was fighting a war where the enemy had threatened the 
security and liberty of his home, a war in which he wondered if ``there 
would even be a tomorrow.''
  On April 2nd, while going about his duties, his ship encountered a 
group of Japanese kamikaze planes, bent on destroying his fleet. During 
the attack, Howard was hit by a piece of shrapnel, injuring his right 
eye. Not noticing the blood, he continued fighting, seeking medical 
attention only when the battle had ended. After receiving treatment, he 
told both the Captain's Yeoman and the medical Corpsman not to report 
his injury, as he did not want to alarm his mother, who had another son 
fighting in the Pacific, in addition to having lost her husband 
unexpectedly.
  Howard Bernstein returned home after the war, enjoying the freedom he 
and his comrades had worked so hard to preserve. Only recently did he 
want to commemorate his injury with a Purple Heart, as he wanted to 
have the medal ``as part of [his] heritage.'' However, since Howard had 
not reported his injury, he was initially denied a Purple Heart. It 
took two sworn affidavits of support from his former comrades for him 
to finally be given the tribute he so richly deserves.
  Today, we recognize Howard Bernstein for his courage and bravery in 
battle and his unflagging devotion to home and family. In honoring 
Howard, we honor all those who would risk their lives to preserve the 
liberty of all people, and all those who would sacrifice personal gain 
for the consideration of others.

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