[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 75 (Tuesday, May 20, 2003)]
[House]
[Page H4336]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO ELMO JOHNSON

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Kind) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening to commemorate the 
accomplishments and the service of a great American, a good friend and 
a constituent of mine, Mr. Elmo Johnson.
  In 1945, Elmo Johnson, with trumpet in hand, joined the Army as part 
of the 285th Army Ground Force Band Unit. While serving in occupied 
Japan, Elmo began to play Taps for fallen compatriots, and for 58 years 
he has continued to play that somber requiem meant to honor the troops 
who have died in war so we can enjoy the freedoms we have today in this 
great Nation.
  Mr. Speaker, Taps lasts for only 24 notes, about the time it takes 
for a tear to travel down a cheek, but it is by no means an easy piece 
to play. Even its ending is difficult. Over the sounds of clearing 
throats and the silky whispers of a flying flag, Taps simply fades away 
into silence. As an active member of the American Legion, Elmo Johnson 
has played this farewell for his fellow soldiers over 1,400 times. He 
has never sought payment or even recognition for this service, 
believing it a solemn honor to deliver the final thank you on behalf of 
a grateful Nation.
  At the remarkable age of 87, Elmo continues to play tribute to the 
veterans who have passed on by playing Taps at their funerals. This 
Monday, on Memorial Day, the community of Black River Falls in western 
Wisconsin will officially recognize and thank Elmo Johnson for his 
service to our country and to our veterans.
  Mr. Speaker, our Nation loses approximately 1,600 World War II and 
Korean War veterans every single day. Unfortunately, the combined 
branches of our military have only about 500 full-time trumpeters and 
buglers and must honor most deceased veterans by sending a boom box and 
a tape recording of Taps to graveside services. The Pentagon does have 
an active program to try to recruit and train for trumpeters, more Elmo 
Johnsons, so that families, friends, and communities throughout the 
country can experience the fitting tribute to our veterans that we in 
western Wisconsin have been so blessed with as a result of Elmo's 
selfless dedication.
  Mr. Speaker, it is easy to see why we in Wisconsin are so proud of 
Elmo Johnson's accomplishments and why he is worthy of recognition on 
the floor of our Nation's democratic body. Thank you, Elmo, for your 
years of dedicated service to our Nation, and may God bless him and all 
of our veterans who have served our country so well this Memorial Day.

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