[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 94 (Tuesday, June 24, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S8435]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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      TRIBUTE TO LINCOLN COUNTY AND MESCALERO APACHE INDIAN HEROES

 Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I rise today as we move toward 
the American Independence Day holiday to honor a group of dedicated 
people in Lincoln County and the Mescalero Apache Tribe of New Mexico 
who have launched a major project to ensure that their war dead are 
never forgotten.
  These citizens, led by Walter Patrick Limacher of Hondo, are 
compiling and publishing the ``Lincoln County and Mescalero Apache 
Tribe Honor List.'' This list includes the names of all those from this 
mountainous southern New Mexico region who gave their lives defending 
the United States in World War I, World War II, the Korean war, and 
Vietnam.
  As families and communities rally on July 4th to celebrate the 227th 
birthday of our Nation, the honor list organizers understand that our 
celebrations are made possible by the servicemen who came from their 
very own small communities and ranches to take up arms in the name of 
liberty and freedom.
  The honor list serves to unify this region of New Mexico, equally 
paying tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice. The list reads 
like the history of New Mexico itself, including warriors of American 
Indian, Hispanic, Anglo and other descents.
  The collection has been a joint effort of a great many, from tribal 
and county citizens and officials, to the Department of Defense. My 
distinguished colleague from Arizona, Senator McCain, Secretary of 
State Colin Powell, General Norman Schwarzkopf, and former New Mexico 
Governor Gary Johnson have all issued citations to the list. I want to 
take this opportunity to thank Mr. Limacher for his dedication and 
tireless work.
  I, too, take pride in honoring these servicemen. They are all 
specially honored in this record.
  The Lincoln County and the Mescalero Apache Indian Tribe Honor List 
will be presented to surviving family members of those who served, and 
placed in libraries located throughout south central New Mexico so all 
can remember these great men. The stories of these brave servicemen 
from Lincoln County and the Mescalero Apache Indian Reservation are 
forever unfinished because of the circumstance of their deeds, but 
their sacrifices do not go unnoticed. The honor list will create a 
unique bond between future generations and the past fallen heroes.
  They are all heroes who fought for their country and gave their lives 
for our freedom, liberty, and independence. Because of their courage we 
are what we are. To them and their families, and to all our men and 
women of our armed services past and present, I salute you this 
Independence holiday.

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