[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 90 (Monday, July 8, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6351-S6353]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    FOURTH OF JULY DEDICATION OF THE LOVELL VETERANS MEMORIAL CENTER

  Mr. ENZI. Mr. President, all of us are just returning from the Fourth 
of July recess. It is a grand time, I am sure, across the United 
States. It was particularly a grand time in Wyoming. I get to go to a 
lot of parades and fairs and rodeos. It is really our only time 
outdoors to get a little bit of suntan that, unfortunately, goes from 
the wrist to the tip of the fingers, and the neck up. But it is a grand 
time. I want to share with my colleagues one of the adventures of this 
Fourth of July recess.
  I got to be in a place called Lovell, WY. It is in the northern part 
of Wyoming. They had a dedication of a veterans memorial center that 
features a huge mural that includes pictures from all of the wars in 
which we have participated. The mural goes down into a rocky beach that 
contains rocks from different wars that we have been in as well. They 
had a dedication of this veterans memorial center.
  The dedication was also attended by Commander Lovell, whose town is 
now his namesake. That is the Lovell of Apollo 13 fame and ingenuity.
  Of course, it reminded me of that time in 1957 when the United States 
realized that we were behind in all of the scientific races. It 
challenged many of us to improve education in the United States. I 
think that continues today. The United States met that challenge. I 
remember when Sputnik went up I was appalled and I immediately became 
one of those rocket boys, one who was anxious to learn as much about 
science and space as possible.
  I am pleased to say the Explorer Post that I was in launched a rocket 
with electronic ignition the second time we did it. We also learned on 
the first one that you have to clear that with the FAA so you don't 
shoot down airplanes. There have been a lot changes in that.
  I got to go to this parade and dedication of the mural. It was very 
patriotic. At the beginning, as they unfurled this new flag on a huge 
new pole, we did say the Pledge of Allegiance. There was a reaction to 
the previous Wednesday's Ninth Circuit announcement because when the 
words, ``under God'' were said, they were louder than the whole rest of 
the pledge, just as an affirmation that the people of Wyoming were 
upset with the decision that had

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been made. But it was that kind of event that makes your heart swell 
and brings tears to your eyes.
  There was a song about heroes sung by elementary students. It 
reminded me that community, and communities across this country, are 
made up of heroes. Heroes are just ordinary people who do extraordinary 
things. Fortunately, in America we have a lot of those.
  We are in a rapidly changing world. In April, I had an opportunity to 
go over to Russia with three interpreters. We worked on an 
international agreement of cooperation on controlling weapons of mass 
destruction, on export controls. That meeting was a tremendous shock 
for me. All the time I was growing up, Russia was our enemy--the Soviet 
Union where the people were out to get us. I was sitting across the 
table from their equivalent of the Senate and House talking about 
cooperation.

  I also had an opportunity to meet with some small businessmen while I 
was over there. I think it was an even bigger shock for them to be 
talking to a capitalist about free enterprise. I think we will learn a 
lot from each other as the world changes.
  I have to tell you that the people in Russia today have a tremendous 
amount of respect for us. Part of it comes from the action the United 
States took in Afghanistan. We did in 1 month what Russia wasn't able 
to do in 7 years. That did get us some respect.
  The rest of the world anticipates that the reason we are able to do 
things such as that is the tremendous technology we have, the 
inventions and weapons we have developed. Some people think it is 
because of this capitalism, of businesses--and businesses deserve 
tremendous applause for the role they have played.
  Since there was a parade that day and a lot of Tootsie Rolls were 
thrown out to the kids along the streets, it reminded me that Tootsie 
Rolls had been a part of every war since World War II. That company has 
donated Tootsie Rolls. It is one of those chocolates that don't melt in 
the heat. For Afghanistan, they donated eight semis loaded with Tootsie 
Rolls. But I also heard about a little event that happened in Korea. 
They used to be able to call in the plane, and the plane would dump 
Tootsie Rolls on little parachutes. But one day, they got a little 
confused on the code word, and when a bombing run was called in on 
North Korea, they used Tootsie Rolls for the code word for it, and the 
North Koreans had Tootsie Rolls dropped on them.
  We have businesses that participate in all kinds of ways in making 
sure our country is a better country. But what they usually miss in all 
of the discussions about why America is great doesn't have to do with 
technology. It doesn't have to do with capitalism. It has to do with 
the people. As a people, we have developed over the years of our 
existence the promotion to the rest of the world of the kind of 
government that works, and that has worked better and longer than any 
other government. But it isn't the Government either. It is the people. 
We have people who have values, enthusiasm, ideas, and community.
  That came out on September 11. On September 11, there were a lot of 
people around the world who were pretty sure there was a major tragedy 
which hit this country and that we would fall apart. Instead, what they 
saw was America coming together. We came together with a sense of 
community which they didn't expect, with patriotism that has been 
unequalled, I think, in our history, with voluntarism, and, most of 
all, faith. Those are the things that make us different from the other 
countries. Those are the things that have made us great.
  It is exciting to have an opportunity to participate in ceremonies, 
such as the Lovell Veterans Memorial Center dedication.
  I ask unanimous consent that the speech of MG Ed Boenisch, Adjutant 
General of the Wyoming Military Department, given at that dedication be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

       Dedication--Lovell Veterans Memorial Center, June 29, 2002


   Speech by Maj Gen Ed Boenisch, Adjutant General, Wyoming Military 
                               Department

       I'm honored to be here sharing the podium with an 
     astronaut. I'm proud to be here with proud civic leaders, 
     citizens and veterans who make dreams a reality.
       Today renews my hope and faith in the spirit of America and 
     in our great flag and the freedoms it represents. This 
     spectacular memorial is a fitting honor to the men and women 
     who sacrificed so we can be here today, free and safe.
       Today is 29 June 2002. It's been 291 days since terrorists 
     attacked our country. Remember all the innocent civilians who 
     were killed that terrible day. It's been 265 days since we 
     began our Global War on Terrorism. Remember the 51 U.S. 
     military men and women who have died in that war. Remember 
     all those who are deployed today, fighting our War on 
     Terrorism so our country and our world can be safe for our 
     children and our grandchildren.
       I am so encouraged when I see the spirit of Americans 
     manifested in displays of patriotism, respect and 
     remembrance, especially with a beautiful and permanent 
     display such as this Lovell Veterans Memorial Center.
       Thank you for having such a grand and beautiful dream! 
     Thank you for your financial contributions and hard work to 
     make this a reality. Thank you for remembering!
       May God bless you!
       May God bless America!

  Mr. ENZI. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the speech 
which Commander Lovell gave at that ceremony be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

 Dedication of Veterans Memorial Center, July 29, 2002, Lovell, Wyoming

       Ladies and Gentlemen: My son Jay and I want to thank the 
     people of Lovell for the wonderful hospitality we received 
     during our visit--and it is an honor for me to say a few 
     words in the dedication of Veterans Memorial Center honoring 
     the men and women who served in our Armed Forces.
       In 1944, Journalist Ernie Pyle wrote these words to 
     describe the beginning of the Normandy invasion.
       ``Darkness enveloped the whole American armada. Not a 
     pinpoint of light showed from those hundreds of ships as they 
     surged on through the night toward their destiny, carrying 
     across the ageless and indifferent sea tens of thousands of 
     young men, fighting for . . . for, well, at least each other. 
     For Americans, these words paint a picture of the fear and 
     confusion surrounding soldiers on the eve of battle. Yet, 
     they also impart the sense of determination those young men 
     must have felt. Through his words, Ernie Pyle puts us in 
     touch with our understanding of who we are and how we came to 
     be a nation.
       Even more, these words impel us to remember the cost of 
     bringing America this far and also forces us to admit the 
     price is not yet paid in full. This is what the dedication of 
     the Veteran's Memorial symbolizes--when the people of Lovell 
     can take a clear look at both your past and your future. And 
     acknowledge the debt we owe to those men and women who--
     because they so cherished peace--chose to live as warriors.
       Could anything be more contradictory than the lives of our 
     servicemen? They love America, so they spend long years in 
     foreign lands or at sea far from her shores. They revere 
     freedom, so they sacrifice their own that we may be free. 
     They defend our right to live as individuals, yet yield their 
     individuality in that cause. Perhaps most paradoxically of 
     all, they value life, and so bravely ready themselves to die 
     in the service of our country.
       For more than 220 years our military has provided a bastion 
     against our enemies. In that time, our world has changed and 
     our armed forces have changed with it, but the valor, 
     dignity, and courage of the men and women in uniform remain 
     the same. From Valley Forge to Enduring Freedom, from San 
     Juan Hill to Pearl Harbor, the fighting spirit of the 
     American Serviceman permeates the history of our nation.
       The founders of the United States understood that the 
     military would be the rampart from which America would guard 
     its freedom. George Washington once stated, ``By keeping up 
     in Peace a well regulated and disciplined militia, we shall 
     take the fairest and best method to preserve for a long time 
     to come the happiness, dignity and Independence of our 
     country.'' The prophecy of those words has been fulfilled 
     time and again.
       The cost of that vision has been tremendous, for the 
     periods of peace our country has enjoyed are few. The longest 
     time of complete tranquility for our armed forces was the 23 
     years between World Wars One and Two. Since the Revolutionary 
     War, more than 42 million men and women have served in 
     America's military. More than 600,000 of those dauntless, 
     selfless warriors died in combat.
       But why are we so seemingly willing to fight and, if need 
     be, to die? The answer to that question is as simple--and yet 
     as complex--as the soul of America itself. We fight because 
     we believe. Not that war is good, but that sometimes it is 
     necessary. Our soldiers fight and die not for the glory of 
     war, but for the prize of freedom. And, the heart of America 
     is freedom, for ourselves and all nations willing to fight 
     for it. Yes, the price is high, but freedom is a wealth no 
     debt can encumber.
       But, what of the soldiers whose death has brought the 
     liberty of our nation? Soldiers

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     who did not even enjoy the status of veteran? They were all 
     different; yet share a sameness that is deeper than the 
     uniform they wore. They were black, white, man, woman, 
     Hispanic, Indian, Asian, Catholic, Jewish, Protestant, 
     Buddhist, Muslim, and a hundred other variations and 
     combinations. What is most important--regardless of race, 
     creed, color, or gender--they were American.
       These courageous men and women, each so different in 
     heritage and background, shared the common bonds of the armed 
     forces--duty and sacrifice. All of them reached a moment in 
     their lives when race and religion, creed and color made no 
     difference. What remained was the essence of America--the 
     fighting spirit of a proud people. They are servicemen who 
     paid the price for freedom.
       As we dedicate this memorial to the brave veterans of the 
     past, we must also look to the future. In today's world, of 
     terrorism freedom comes cloaked in uncertainty. America still 
     relies on her sons and daughters to defend her liberty. The 
     cost of independence remains high, but we are willing to pay 
     it. We do not pay it gladly, but we pay it with deep 
     reverence and thanks to those who have sacrificed their lives 
     for America. We know that in the years to come, more brave 
     soles will sacrifice their lives for America. We should 
     include them in our thoughts when we view this symbol of 
     freedom.
       Let me conclude my remarks by reading a few excerpts from a 
     letter that exemplifies why we honor our people in uniform. 
     It was written by Sullivan Ballou, a Major in the 2nd Rhode 
     Island volunteers, to his wife Sarah a week before the battle 
     of Bull Run.
       Dear Sarah: The indications are very strong that we shall 
     move in a few days--perhaps tomorrow. Lest I should not be 
     able to write again, I feel impelled to write a few lines 
     that may fall under your eye when I am no more. Our movements 
     may be of a few days' duration and full of pleasure--and it 
     may be one of some conflict and death to me. If it is 
     necessary that I should fall on the battlefield for my 
     Country, I am ready.
       I have no misgivings about, or lack of confidence in the 
     cause in which I am engaged, and my courage does not halt or 
     falter. I know how American Civilization now leans on the 
     triumph of the Government, and how great a debt we owe to 
     those who went before us through the blood and sufferings of 
     the Revolution. And I am willing--perfectly willing--to lay 
     down all my joys in this life, to help maintain this 
     Government, and to pay that debt.
       Sarah my love for you is deathless, and yet my love of 
     Country comes over me like a strong wind and burns me 
     unresistably on to the battlefield.
       The memories of the blissful moments I have enjoyed with 
     you come crowding over me, and I feel most gratified to God 
     and to you that I have enjoyed them so long. And it is hard 
     for me to give them up and burn to ashes the hopes of future 
     years, when God willing, we might still have lived and loved 
     together, and seen our sons grown up to honorable manhood. If 
     I do not return my dear Sarah, never forget how much I love 
     you, and when my last breath escapes me on the battle field, 
     it will whisper your name. Forgive my many faults, and the 
     many pains I have caused you. How thoughtless and foolish I 
     have often been.
       But, O Sarah! If the dead can come back to this earth and 
     flit unseen around those they loved, I shall always be near 
     you; in the brightest days and in the darkest nights, always, 
     and if a soft breeze falls upon your cheek, it shall be my 
     breath, as the cool air fans your throbbing temple, it shall 
     be my spirit passing by. Sarah do not mourn me dead; think I 
     am gone and wait for me, for we shall meet again.
  Sullivan Ballou was killed a week later at the First Battle of Bull 
Run.
  That is why I am proud to be in Lovell, today to participate in the 
dedication of the Veteran's Memorial honoring the men and women who 
served our country.

  Mr. ENZI. Mr. President, I know it was a great day across America 
when we celebrated the Fourth of July. I look forward to the future 
Fourth of July and the daily events when patriotism and community and 
faith are shown in our country.

                          ____________________