[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 77 (Thursday, May 22, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6968-S6969]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                MEMORIAL DAY: HONORING OUR FALLEN HEROES

  Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to the many 
individuals who have died in defense of our great Nation. Next week we 
will all return to our States to join our constituents in honoring 
those who gave their lives to ensure that we enjoy the principles of 
liberty and justice as Americans.
  One of my constituents, Mr. Keith Haugen, has written a song entitled 
``Walking Through the Memories, A Requiem to the Fallen.'' Mr. Haugen 
served in the U.S. Army and has been honored by a number of 
organizations for songs he has written to honor military members and 
veterans. Mr. Haugen will perform this song on Memorial Day at the 
National Memorial of the Pacific.
  I have reviewed the lyrics to this melody and have Mr. Haugen's 
permission to share them with my colleagues. I ask unanimous consent to 
print a copy of these lyrics in the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

         Walking Through The Memories, a Requiem to the Fallen

                        (By Keith Haugen, ASCAP)

     The peace they fought for is right here, between the rows of 
           crosses
     They died to save our freedom, they're numbered among our 
           losses
     Although they came from far and wide, this place is now their 
           home
     A peaceful, final resting place, where they'll never be alone

     And I'm walking through the memories, where honor knows no 
           end

     That unmarked grave is special, for I know that he's my 
           friend
     We were comrades on a foreign shore, buddies to the end
     In the distance I hear a bugle call, as I stroll alone with 
           God
     It's haunting voice is singing ``Taps'' for those beneath the 
           sod

     And I'm walking through the memories of those who gave their 
           all

     Walking, walking, walking, past graves both old and new
     Their sun has set, their day is done, they were the chosen 
           few
     We salute and pay our tribute, flags and flowers all abound
     They all came back to make their home in this hallowed ground

     And I'm walking through the memories of those who gave their 
           all
     Yes, I'm walking through the memories where honor knows no 
           end

  Mr. PRYOR. Mr. President, this Memorial Day is an especially 
meaningful time for our Nation. It comes as the images of defending 
freedom and democracy are still fresh in our minds.
  This weekend, we remember and honor the men and women who paid the 
ultimate price for their country. Flags fly at half-mast, relatives and 
friends place wreaths and flowers on the graves of their loved ones, 
and communities host parades adorned in red, while, and blue. In 
actuality, these tributes are small acts we perform in an effort to 
express our gratitude to those who have served the cause of freedom.
  Since the time of the Civil War, communities have paid tribute to 
fallen soldiers with spontaneous gestures of remembrance. In May of 
1868, GEN. John A. Logan officially recognized the public's desire to 
honor those who died in pursuit of liberty by declaring May 30 of each 
year a day to decorate the graves of fallen soldiers. A century later, 
President Lyndon B. Johnson signed legislation declaring, in part, that 
Memorial Day be held the last Monday of May every year.
  Memorial Day weekend has since become a signal for family gatherings, 
barbeques, sales at the mall, trips to the beach, and the opening of 
community pools. We should celebrate our freedom but we must also 
remember that freedom is not free--it comes to us at a great cost. In 
our Nation's history, upwards of 40 million Americans have risked life 
and limb to defend our country and make the world a safer place. More 
than a million service men and women have died for our country. 
Moreover, 140,000 were taken as prisoners of war and many of them have 
never been accounted for. They are our Nation's heroes who acted 
selflessly throughout our history to bring forth freedom and 
opportunity for generations.
  We also honor the families who bear the heaviest burden of liberty. 
Our fallen and missing soldiers were moms,

[[Page S6969]]

dads, brothers, sisters, sons, and daughters. They are not statistics 
but empty voids in their families' hearts. While the grief and pain for 
some may not have faded, I hope it is comforting for them to know that 
their fallen loves ones' cause was just.
  In addition, let us remember that thousands of service men and women 
will spend this Memorial Day stationed in other countries defending our 
freedoms far away from their families. I join Americans today in a 
prayer for peace so that we can reunite them with their loves ones 
soon.
  We take 1 day out of the year to honor our fallen soldiers but we 
benefit from their sacrifice each and every day. I hope that Arkansans 
will take a break from their Memorial Day activities to remember and 
honor our fallen soldiers. Let us display the noble patriotism for our 
country that our Armed Forces exemplify each day.


           HONORING SERGEANT RICHARD CARL OF KING HILL, IDAHO

  Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, I rise today to mark a sad occasion that is 
underway in my home State of Idaho. We are burying one of our soldiers 
who was killed during the war in Iraq, and I wanted to take a few 
moments to share my thoughts with you about SGT Richard Carl. While I 
was not privileged to know him personally during his short 26 years, he 
has come alive for me through the memories that you have shared in the 
past few days. He is remembered as a son to Richard and Karen, a 
husband to Audrey, a father to 3-year-old Ealy Ann and 18-month-old 
Dominick, and a friend to many, many others.
  It is a weighty job--the one we, as a nation, ask of people like 
Sergeant Carl. It brings uncertainty and sacrifice, not just for the 
troops, but for their families and loved ones. But our Nation is built 
on the foundations laid by good people like Sergeant Carl, and it is 
through their sacrifice, that their children and our children will 
inherit a free nation.
  Such lofty language pales against the stark reality that confronts us 
today at this service. In the last few days, news articles have brought 
a quiet, brave family man to the attention of many Idahoans. I have 
been touched by the memories of good deeds, unheralded kindness, and a 
good heart. One memory frequently mentioned was that he was always 
helping someone else, and that is a remarkable legacy to leave. In his 
duty to his country, he died helping someone else--in this case, an 
injured Iraqi child who needed to be taken to a hospital. We cannot 
find the words to express the full extent of the debt that we owe to 
Sergeant Carl and so many other young men and women who have served our 
country to the fullest measure.
  In his wife Audrey's words, ``Our family is dealing with this loss as 
well as can be expected. Richard was a good man, and while he was not 
known to the world, he played an important role. We are so proud of his 
contributions to our nation and his role in making the world a better 
place. He will never be forgotten.''
  We are honored to have him remembered as an Idahoan. We are blessed 
to have had him here, even for the short time, and I am confident that 
those who knew him will make certain that his children have the 
opportunity to know their father through those memories. Sergeant Carl 
and so many others who have sacrificed for our freedoms will continue 
in my thoughts and prayers and in our Nation's grateful hearts.


            national former prisoner of war recognition day

  Mr. GRAHAM of Florida. Mr. President, today I rise with my colleague 
Senator Patty Murray to sponsor a resolution federally acknowledging 
April 9, 2003, and recognizing April 9, 2004, as National Former 
Prisoner of War Recognition Day.
  As we watch the overjoyed faces of soldiers returning home from Iraq 
on television, we also remember those taken hostage by enemy forces. In 
this age of technology, we watched the images of brave soldiers from 
Operation Iraqi Freedom, courageous in the face of physical and mental 
hardships most of us can only imagine. I am outraged and saddened that, 
in clear violation of international treaties, opposing troops have 
taken even one of our fighting American men and women against their 
will.
  Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of all of 
these soldiers, from recent as well as past conflicts. It is my sincere 
hope that the still-captive prisoners from previous wars will be home 
to participate in the celebrations next April, and I have faith that 
they will be.
  At this time, it is appropriate that we pause and reflect on the 
bravery and sacrifice made by all of our Nation's former prisoners of 
war, and to remember that tens of thousands of our friends and 
neighbors have endured unthinkable brutality fighting throughout 
America's history.
  The men and women who braved captivity and imprisonment gave up 
months and years of their lives to ensure the continuation of the 
freedom we enjoy today. Their service has taught us about patriotism, 
perseverance, and character. There is little we can do to repay these 
men and women but we can recognize their invaluable contribution.
  I urge my colleagues to join Senator Murray and myself in 
cosponsoring this important resolution honoring our former prisoners of 
war.

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