[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 163 (Tuesday, November 11, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Pages S14382-S14403]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
VETERANS DAY
Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, it has been over 50 years since my good
friends, Senator Inouye, Senator Hollings, Senator Warner, Senator
Lautenberg, Senator Akaka, and I returned home from World War II. When
I joined the Senate in 1968, approximately half of the Members of the
Senate were World War II veterans. While there are several Senators
here who have served in Korea, Vietnam, and in later engagements, there
are a few of us still around who lived through World War II. We are
proud of a tradition of over 48 million Americans who have served in
our Armed Forces since 1776.
Whenever our Nation has needed warriors to defend our Nation, young
men and women in uniform have stepped forward, willing to bear that
burden. This day, Veterans Day, is a reminder to us of their courage,
bravery, and sacrifice.
These days, our thoughts are never far from a battlefield. New
generations have answered the call to service, and as we meet today,
they are defending us in some of the most dangerous places in the
world, where they face determined enemies and terrorists. I join all
here today in thanking each of them for their service and thank their
families for their sacrifice.
I had the honor to serve in the Army Air Corps with a squadron in
China in World War II. Our squadron motto was: We do the impossible
immediately, miracles take slightly longer.
The history of our Nation's Armed Forces is one of impossible
challenges and formidable enemies. But our men and women in uniform
have met and overcome them on battlefields, and in the air, and on the
sea and, as our Chaplain reminded us, under the sea, across the globe.
Secretary of State Colin Powell recently spoke of the tradition of
service and said:
We have gone forth from our shores repeatedly over the last
hundred years . . . and put wonderful young men and women at
risk, many of whom have lost their lives, and we have asked
for nothing except enough ground to bury them in.
It is right and proper for the Senate to remember the young men and
women who have served our great Nation in uniform and those who did not
return because they made the ultimate sacrifice.
Veterans share a common bond. We are truly comrades in the deepest
sense of the word, and I salute each one of them.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Wisconsin is recognized.
Mr. FEINGOLD. Mr. President, as the country marks the Veterans Day
holiday, I wish to take a moment to express my thanks to the people of
Wisconsin and to our Nation's veterans and their families.
I urge my colleagues and all Americans to take a moment today to
reflect upon the meaning of this day and to remember those who have
served and sacrificed to protect our country and the freedoms we enjoy
as Americans.
Webster's Dictionary defines a veteran as ``one with a long record of
service in a particular activity or capacity'' or ``one who has been in
the armed forces.'' But we can also define a veteran as a grandfather
or a grandmother, a father or a mother, a brother or a sister, a son or
a daughter, or a friend. Veterans live in all of our communities, and
their contributions have touched all of our lives.
November 11 is a date with special significance in our history. On
that day in 1918, at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month,
World War I ended. In 1926, a joint resolution of Congress called on
the President to issue a proclamation to encourage all Americans to
mark this day by displaying the U.S. flag and by observing the day with
appropriate ceremonies.
In 1938, Armistice Day was designated as a legal holiday ``to be
dedicated to the cause of world peace'' by an act of Congress. This
annual recognition of the contributions and sacrifices of our Nation's
veterans of World War I was renamed Veterans Day in 1954 so that we
might also recognize the service and sacrifice of those who had fought
in World War II and the veterans of all of America's other wars.
Our Nation's veterans and their families have given selflessly to the
cause of protecting our freedom. Too many have given the ultimate
sacrifice for their country on the battlefields of the Revolutionary
War that gave birth to the United States, to the Civil War which sought
to secure for all Americans the freedoms envisioned by the Founding
Fathers, to the global fight against nazism and fascism in World War
II.
In the last century, Americans fought and died in two World Wars and
in conflicts in Korea, Vietnam, and the Persian Gulf. They also
participated in peacekeeping missions around the globe, some of which
are still ongoing. Today our men and women in uniform are waging a
fight against terrorism and, at the same time, are participating in
ongoing military operations in Iraq.
As we commemorate Veterans Day, 2003, we should reflect on the
sacrifices--past, present, and future--that are made by our men and
women in uniform and their families. We should also resolve to do more
for our veterans to ensure they have a decent standard of living and
adequate health care.
This is especially important as we welcome home a new generation of
veterans who are serving in Iraq and in the fight against terrorism.
Today's soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines are tomorrow's veterans.
These men and women selflessly put their lives on the line as the
countless military personnel before them whom we honor today. We must
ensure that their service and sacrifice, which is much lauded during
times of conflict, is not forgotten once the battles have ended and our
troops come home.
For that reason, I am committed to ensuring that the Department of
Veterans Affairs makes every effort to educate our veterans about
benefits for which they may be eligible through the VA.
Our veterans and their families have made great personal sacrifices
to protect our freedoms. Making sure our veterans know about the
benefits they have earned is an important first step in starting to
repay this debt. That is why I am fighting to overturn a VA policy that
prevents the agency from reaching out to veterans who may be eligible
for health care benefits, and that is why I have introduced legislation
to improve the VA's outreach to veterans.
In addition, I continue to hear from many Wisconsin veterans about
the need to improve claims processing at the VA. These veterans are
justifiably angry and frustrated about the amount of time it takes for
the Veterans' Administration to process their claims. In some
instances, veterans are waiting well over a year. Telling the men and
women who served our country in the Armed Forces that they ``just have
to wait'' is wrong and unacceptable.
Last month, the VA issued a press release declaring ``partial
victory'' in its efforts to reduce the number of pending claims. The
release noted that the VA has reduced its claims backlog from 432,000
to 253,000 over the last 2 years. I am pleased the VA has made claims
processing a priority, but there is much more work to be done. I urge
the Secretary to continue this effort to reduce the claims backlog. The
more than a quarter of a million veterans who are still waiting to have
their claims processed, coupled with the thousands of new veterans
returning from the battlefield of Iraq and Afghanistan, deserve the
concerted effort of the VA and the Pentagon to process
[[Page S14383]]
claims quickly and to educate new veterans about their benefits in an
effective and clear manner that may help to prevent the filing of
additional claims in the future.
I am looking forward to continuing to meet with veterans and their
families around Wisconsin to hear directly from them what services they
need and what gaps remain in the VA system.
So on Veterans Day, and throughout the year, let us continue to honor
America's brave veterans and their families.
I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Texas.
Mrs. HUTCHISON. I yield up to 7 minutes to the Senator from Virginia,
Mr. Warner.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Virginia is recognized.
Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I rise to join my colleagues on this
magnificent day which we set aside for the veterans of all of our wars.
As I was presiding at the time we took a moment of silence, I
reflected back to 1918 when the guns fell silent at 11 o'clock across
the trenches in Europe. There was a young doctor there who had been
wounded, who had been decorated, but he was still at his post in the
trenches when that hour arrived. That was my father.
I read a poem in his honor and in honor of all veterans which
reflects my understanding and my deep belief and gratitude to veterans.
It is called ``In Flanders Fields'':
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row.
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
I wear one of those poppies on this Veterans Day. It is issued by the
veterans organizations all across America in reverence to those who
have gone before us to make it possible today to exercise free speech.
My distinguished colleague, Senator Stevens, my friend of these 25
years in the Senate, just mentioned that there are five of us who are
here who served in World War II. My record pales against his record,
Senator Hollings, Senator Inouye, and others. But I was privileged as a
very young 17-year-old to volunteer and take up my responsibilities, as
did all in my generation in those days. Yet the heavy lifting, the
heavy work, the heavy losses had been done that went before us, and in
1945, when I was simply in a training command, the war ended.
I say that only because had it not been for what the U.S. military
has done for me in these 58 years that I have been privileged to be
associated, I would not be here in the Senate. That is why I labor with
others, primarily those on the Armed Services Committee, to do what we
can for today's veterans and, most importantly, for those who are still
in uniform and those who will follow in uniform in the generations to
come, together with their families.
I speak in gratitude from my heart to all the veterans and, indeed,
for what the military did for this humble soul to make it possible
through the GI bill twice. I received it once for World War II and once
for brief service again in Korea. Again, my heart is filled with
gratitude, and it is such a magnificent day to rise and reflect.
Back in World War II, I remember on our block, when our neighbors
were lost in battle, a gold star went on their door to remind all of
the sacrifices of that family. And on the other doors were a little
decal which said: We proudly have our son in the Army, the Navy, the
Air Corps, the Marines, the Coast Guard.
Those were days when there was absolute sacrifice all across the
Nation. Today, this Nation again is united. We stand strong behind our
men and women of the Armed Forces, as it should be. So by the grace of
God, by the sacrifices of all who have gone before us, we stand humbly
today and express our gratitude to them and their families.
I ask unanimous consent that a list of United States service
personnel casualties be printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in
the Record, as follows:
U.S. SERVICE PERSONNEL CASUALTIES
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Killed in Wounded in
Contingency casualties action action
(KIA/WIA) (KIA) (WIA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
World War I......................... 321,000 115,000 206,000
World War II........................ 1,077,245 405,399 671,846
Korea............................... 139,852 36,568 103,284
Vietnam............................. 211,506 58,203 153,303
Afghanistan......................... 252 31 221
Iraq................................ 2,336 398 1,938
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. WARNER. I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Texas.
Mrs. HUTCHISON. Mr. President, I yield up to 4 minutes to the Senator
from Wyoming, Mr. Thomas.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Wyoming.
Mr. THOMAS. Mr. President, we all rise to recognize this day. As we
think about it, I suspect there is no other day of recognition that has
as much bearing on the freedoms we enjoy as this day of recognizing
veterans. It is so important that we take time to recognize and honor
those men and women who have worn this country's uniform.
Certainly, as we think about it today, our thoughts are primarily
focused on those men and women now serving overseas in Iraq,
Afghanistan, and other places. Of course, historically we have many
things to think about: Those who have given so much so we can continue
to live in freedom.
I suppose if we have a weakness in terms of our recognition, it is
identifying what others have done for us to be able to have the
freedoms we enjoy and have done for so many years. I think it is
appropriate we set this day aside not only to recognize those who have
done so much but, frankly, to ensure young people understand the
sacrifices that have been made. We want people who were not around at
all in World War II, Korea, or even Vietnam to understand what has
happened.
Dwight Eisenhower once said that:
War demands real toughness of fiber, not only in the
soldiers who must endure, but in the homes that must
sacrifice their best.
That is true. All families sacrifice as well. This morning, we
visited a VA hospital in DC. We visited with a number of veterans who
were being treated in that hospital, some from World War II who had
done so much.
Today we honor those who made these sacrifices, in many cases the
ultimate sacrifice in defense of liberty, justice, and democracy. We
are engaged today in the struggle which will test our national resolve,
and I hope today helps us to understand the importance of that resolve.
A new generation of Americans has answered the call and is defending
our country.
Today, as we commemorate and honor those who have gone before, we
must remember the brave souls currently serving in harm's way. We must
renew our commitment to the ideals for which so many have fought and
died. We must never forget freedom has a very high price indeed. That
price has been paid by our Nation's veterans and their families.
I was impressed when I think it was the commandant of the Marine
Corps who said there is a direct connection between the land of the
free and the home of the brave. That is true.
Today we say thank you on behalf of a very grateful Nation. We are
extremely proud of all the veterans have done.
I ask unanimous consent the poem ``A Cowboy Defends Us'' be printed
in the Record.
There being no objections, the material was ordered to be printed in
the Record, as follows:
A Cowboy Defends Us
(By Tina Willis, Apr. 9, 2003)
I wonder what it means to you
When you see the flutter of red, white, and blue
I think of American history and days that are gone
I think of our troops in Iraq and Iran
I think of the folks that settled this west
Who've raised sons and daughters and offered their best
These children traded a tractor for a humvee's rough ride
And their parents now wait with no sleep but much pride
I think of the cowboy called to duty today
Throwing his pony a last flake of hay
Before boarding a bus in this dawn's early light
As he joins the forces to fight the good fight
I think of the bunkhouse with one empty bed
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There's a tent in the sand where he'll now lay his head
As I savor my freedom and pray for our troops
I think of the cowboys that now wear infantry boots
Their instincts and courage were learned on the range
They're taking care of the homestead--with a scenery change
Our nation is safer and stronger today
Because some cowboy defends us--time zones away
And I wonder what it means to you
When you see the flutter of red, white, and blue. . . .
Mr. THOMAS. I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Texas.
Mrs. HUTCHISON. I yield up to 4 minutes to the senior Senator from
Missouri, Mr. Bond.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Missouri.
Mr. BOND. Mr. President, I thank my colleague from Texas and the
others who have spoken.
It is a great honor and privilege to be on the Senate floor on this
Veterans Day to acknowledge the sacrifices of America's veterans and
the priceless service our veterans have rendered to a grateful Nation.
Earlier this morning Senator Thomas, Senator Inhofe, and I visited
the Washington VA hospital to say thank you. Previously, I had been to
Walter Reed and Bethesda National Naval Medical Center, as I know many
Members have, to say thanks also to those returning from the current
war. In all of these visits and in everything we do, we should express
our thankful appreciation to America's veterans, particularly while we
find ourselves embroiled in a war against those seeking to destroy all
America stands for, what we hold most dear, our freedom.
It is the soldier, sailor, airman, and the marine to whom we have
turned for protection from terrorists and the failed nation states that
support them. Our troops are performing in an exemplary manner, taking
the fight to those who would harm us on enemy territory and on our
terms. The events of September 11 and the military operations that have
ensued since then have brought a renewed understanding and respect for
our Nation's military and our veterans.
In response to the horrendous acts carried out on 9/11, our men and
women in uniform have taken action, as our veterans have done countless
times throughout history.
We are fighting the war on terrorism on many fronts, using all the
tools at our disposal. We will win this conflict through the patient
accumulation of successes, by meeting a series of challenges with
determination, with will and with purpose. This campaign is a marathon,
not a sprint. We must be mindful to think not only in the near term but
to look ahead 5, 10, 15 years and to take this opportunity to shape our
future world. We must find a way to help contribute to the peace and
stability of what is clearly still a dangerous and unpredictable world.
After 9/11, President Bush said:
In the months ahead, our patience will be one of our
strengths . . . patience and understanding that it will take
time to achieve our goals; patience in all the sacrifices
that may come.
Today, sacrifices are being made by our troops who defend us far from
home, and by their proud yet worried families. The sacrifices they make
are the same sacrifices made by those who served before them. We ask an
awful lot of those who wear the uniform. We ask them to leave their
loved ones, to travel great distances, to risk injury, even risk death.
They are dedicated, they are honorable, and they represent the very
best of our country. We are indeed grateful for these countless
sacrifices. We can never repay our debt to those who serve our Nation,
but we can ensure they know they will never be forgotten. Today, we
have some very real reminders of the cost of freedom. It is an absolute
that we would not enjoy the freedoms we have today were it not for the
willingness of our men and women to serve each of us and our country by
committing to fight on our behalf in the armed services.
We are fighting every day on the many fronts around the world and
those of us in this body work to provide not only the resources we need
to ensure that our men and women in the field are the best trained,
best equipped, best prepared, and the best protected, but we also work
to ensure we meet the commitments made to our veterans who have served
in the past.
As former Secretary of Defense William Cohen once said, we are
``unwilling to live in a world in which evil triumphs. And as a result,
the flag of freedom flies not only over America, but over those
countries whose people had to yield to the terror of tyranny and under
the heel of boots of dictators.'' Our veterans have kept the flame of
freedom alive, and they are a true reflection of the American spirit.
There are many accolades for veterans, but the one I like best is
from Father Dennis Edward O'Brien's ``What Is A Vet?''
He is an ordinary yet extraordinary human being, a person
who offered some of his life's most vital years in the
service of his country and who sacrificed his ambitions so
others would not have to sacrifice theirs . . .
He is a soldier and savior and a sword against the
darkness, and his is nothing more than the finest, greatest
testimony on behalf of the finest, greatest nation ever
known.
So remember, each time you see someone who served our
country, just lean over and say thank you. That is all most
people need, and in most cases will mean more than any medals
they could have been awarded or were awarded.
President Bush said it best when he described the will of our Nation
by saying:
We will not waiver; we will not tire; we will not falter;
and we will not fail. Peace and freedom will prevail.
That peace and freedom will prevail because of the commitment of
those who serve in uniform. America's veterans are the rock on which we
have defended America's shores and are the reason our President can
make such promises.
May God bless our veterans for their service, and may He continue to
bless America.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Texas.
Mrs. HUTCHISON. I yield up to 3 minutes to the Senator from Idaho,
Mr. Craig.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Idaho.
Mr. CRAIG. Mr. President, let me thank the Senator from Texas for
taking out this special order this morning.
I join with all Idahoans and all Americans to pause during Veterans
Day to honor the service of all our American soldiers. It is a day set
apart to celebrate peace and freedom through ceremonies of thanksgiving
and prayer. It is a day dedicated to the men and women whose great
sacrifices made it possible that we might pause to recognize them, to
pray and to give thanks. Sadly, however, as battles fade, so do the
memories of our soldiers, and what was once a fervent memory becomes
but a passing one of only photographs and pictures of men and women who
served their country.
But this is beginning to change.
As our Nation reaches out to free oppressed people around the world,
a new generation of American soldiers is joining the honored body of
U.S. veterans. Men and women who fought and continue to fight in Iraq
are bringing fresh faces and new experiences to the legacy of those who
have gone before. Troops stationed in Afghanistan work to maintain the
standard of freedom others obtained for us in the past. These soldiers
are expanding the image of American veterans as they stand for liberty
and redefine the world.
Like the soldiers before them, today's members of the armed services
are risking everything to ensure the freedom and happiness of their
fellow Americans. On a daily basis, they lay their lives on the line to
face an unsure and dangerous future. Some of them pay the ultimate cost
and remind us all that freedom is not free.
Exactly who are the new veterans? They are just like you. They are
fathers and mothers whose children anxiously await their return. They
are sons and daughters whose parents proudly boast to their neighbors.
They are students, graduates, neighbors, and friends. They are people
in our State, our hearts, and our homes.
For many people, this newest fight for liberty is bringing home the
reality of war. A veteran is no longer an unfamiliar face in an old
black and white photograph. The price of freedom is no longer a thing
of the past--it is our present and our future. With a new generation of
young soldiers fighting for our Nation, we are forcefully reminded of
the sacrifices previous veterans have paid for our happiness.
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In the nearly 80 years since Congress first marked November 11th as a
day to recognize and honor veterans, the image of the American veteran
has been changing. Time has gradually brought a seasoned maturity of
age to the once youthful faces of American soldiers. Sons have turned
into fathers and fathers into grandfathers as each generation replaced
the last.
Following the terrible attacks on our homeland two years ago,
President George W. Bush declared:
Americans should always honor our veterans. At this moment,
we especially need the example of their character. And we
need a new generation to set examples of its own, examples in
service and sacrifice and courage.
Today we see the fulfillment of this challenge. We see a rising
generation of new veterans fighting for the American people.
To the veterans of our past and present, we thank you. We honor your
service, commend your example, and remember your sacrifice. While some
of us may never fully understand the significance of your labor, we all
feel your impact on our Nation and our lives.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Texas.
Mrs. HUTCHISON. I yield up to 4 minutes to the Senator from New
Mexico, Mr. Domenici.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from New Mexico.
Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, first, I thank the distinguished Senator
from Texas for yielding me a few moments. Obviously, this is a time
when it is very easy to talk about our veterans. But I thought I might
just take about half of my time to tell the Senate a little story about
my father.
My father came to the United States in 1908 as a 12-year-old
immigrant from Italy. I don't think many of you know that in the First
World War, immigrants, noncitizens, were drafted. My father was in
little Albuquerque in business, 27 years old, couldn't write English,
couldn't speak English too well, and he got a draft notice. Sure
enough, 3 months later he went off to war, the First World War.
Another thing that is most interesting is that Armistice Day was this
day, November 11; but it was also my dad's birthday. So he was a young
American soldier, unable to speak very much English. He was
sufficiently uncertain of his language that when he was up for
promotion he didn't want to be promoted because he was afraid he
couldn't drill the soldiers; he would sound funny because he had a big
accent. Nonetheless, he did move up and whatever he was entitled to he
got.
He remembered vividly November 11, Armistice Day--and one man in
particular. I think all our veterans have a memory of some leader. His
memory was of his captain, the captain of his Corps of Engineers which
was building pontoon bridges and the like. The reason he remembered him
was because this man told his men: Armistice is in the air. We are
going to have peace. I don't want any of you dying while we are about
to have peace. So he shepherded all of them and put them under bridges
in the Argonne Forest, saying: Hide for 24 hours because I sense that
there will be no war in 24 hours and I don't want you dying.
Sure enough, within 24 hours the war was over. My father used to
write to this captain, who lived in Illinois, and thank him for taking
good care of him in the midst of that war, in the Argonne Forest, as a
non-American who had become an American citizen by getting drafted and
serving. Just as all our other veterans, he was very proud.
Today we have so many millions of American men and women who, one way
or another, were like my father. They went off to serve their country.
They have had times of great fear. They have had times of great
concern. They have had times when there was heroism all around them.
I close today by saying something to all of them. In all of our
wars--I know a little about the First World War because of my father,
as I told you--but from all of the wars, I thank them all on behalf of
the people of my State for what they have done to preserve the
greatness of this country and the concept of freedom and liberty.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Texas.
Mrs. HUTCHISON. I yield up to 1 minute to the Senator from
Mississippi, Mr. Lott.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Mississippi.
Mr. LOTT. I thank the Senator from Texas for coordinating the
opportunity today for us to honor our veterans.
``Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for
his friends,'' or in this case his country.
This quotation embodies my sentiment on this Veteran's Day, as we
honor those men and women who have laid down their lives for our great
country, and those who stand ready in her defense.
I stand today to render my sharpest salute to the selfless, brave
professionals who epitomize the most noble of citizens.
How can we express our gratitude and overflowing pride for our
service men and women who have paid the ultimate price for their
country, and those friends and family members who have endured the loss
of their loved ones?
How can we ever truly appreciate the comfort and safety that the
soldier, airman, or seaman affords us through his or her daily
dedication to duty?
Perhaps there are lessons to be learned from the strong, silent, tall
soldier whose steely eyes well up with tears at the sounding of our
National Anthem.
Perhaps we could stand to learn some things from the weathered,
silver haired, proud veteran who stands taller and breathes deeply as
he hears another painful round of Taps.
Today we all stand in solemn remembrance of those Americans who gave
their lives so that others may be free. Today I would like to remind
everyone that those lives lost were not in vain. Because of these
individual sacrifices we are able today to remain the greatest free
nation in the world.
I would like to mention my personal pride for the men and women from
Mississippi who so bravely currently serve and have served their nation
in defense.
During the Vietnam War, 637 Mississippians gave their lives. In the
Korean Conflict, from 1950 to 1957, 412 of our statesmen made the
ultimate sacrifice.
Since the horrific day that will forever be remembered, September 11,
2001, Mississippi has lost nine soldiers during Operations Enduring
Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
More than 3000 of Mississippi's sons and daughters have responded to
this Nations latest call for arms in the global war on terrorism, and
operations in Afghanistan in Iraq.
Unlike previous wars, the veterans of these latest operations will
probably not have battle names to remember like Leyte Gulf or
Vicksburg.
As the President has said, the global war on terror is a different
kind of war, where some operations would be visible and others would
not be.
In this global war, our troops are supporting freedom and democracy
around the globe, and fighting terrorism in the homelands of the
terrorists and those who support them.
The war on terrorism will be a long war, and it will call for the
endurance and perseverance of every American. In the end, there
probably won't be a truce or surrender document signed aboard a great
battleship. What there will be is stability, peace, and representative
government in places where terrorism used to breed--where dictators no
longer use poison gas on their own people, or have mass executions.
And on this Veterans Day we should remember all veterans, including
those who continue to serve in this different kind of war.
And it is most appropriate to honor and salute those Mississippians
who have lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan. They are: Kenneth
Bradley, Army Staff Sergeant of Jackson, MS; Henry L. Brown, Army
Corporal, of Natchez, MS; Larry K. Brown, Army Specialist, of Jackson,
MS; James Anderson Chance III, Army Specialist, of Kokomo, MS; Therrel
S. Childers, Marine Corps 2nd Lieutenant, of Harrison, MS; John K.
Klinesmith, Jr., Army Specialist, of Carriere, MS; Jonathan W. Lambert,
Marine Corps Sergeant, of Newsite, MS; Vincent Parker, Navy Engineman
First Class, of Preston, MS; Joe N. Wilson, Army Staff Sergeant, of
Crystal Springs, MS.
In the words of Boyd Lewis:
The tranquility we enjoy was purchased dearly. May we never
forget.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Texas.
[[Page S14386]]
Mrs. HUTCHISON. Mr. President, how much time is remaining on our
side?
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator has 2 minutes 45 seconds.
Mrs. HUTCHISON. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that I be
allowed to take up to 4 minutes.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
Mrs. HUTCHISON. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to the
remarkable men and women who have, over the years, placed their lives
in danger to preserve ours. On this Veterans Day, we remember those who
made the ultimate sacrifice. We express sincere gratitude for those who
continue to serve and protect our freedom, and we honor those families
who also contribute every day in service of our country.
On the heels of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and
Operation Iraqi Freedom, this Veterans Day is particularly significant.
As we speak, American and allied soldiers continue to fight and die in
defense of our liberty. Many are face to face with danger at this very
moment.
It is these remarkable men and women, past and present, who embody
the democratic ideals that are the foundation of our great Nation. I
would like to share with you the story of one soldier who recently lost
his life in Iraq. The following commentary was written by LTC John Kem,
a former Army legislative fellow who worked on the Subcommittee on
Military Construction during his year here. He wrote:
There are very few events more poignant than a memorial
service for a fallen Soldier. The service finishes with a
final roll call by the company first sergeant of the
Soldier's squad members. Each Soldier in turn responds:
``Here, first sergeant.'' Then, three times in a row, the
first sergeant calls out the dead Soldier's name. Finally,
after the third silent pause, waiting for a response that
will never come, a lone bugler sounds Taps.
This evening [he said] I went to a memorial service for
Private Second Class Jonathan Falaniko. Jonathan was killed
on Oct. 27 in Baghdad by a rocket-propelled grenade. As you
would expect, the memorial service was sad, but it was also a
profound lesson on faith, selfless service and a family's
love.
Jonathan's unit, the 70th Engineer Battalion, is part of
the Army's 1st Armored Division Engineer Brigade. The senior
enlisted soldier in the brigade happened to be Jonathan's
father, Command Sergeant Major Ioakimo Falaniko.
After the company commander and a few of Jonathan's friends
spoke at the memorial service, the command sergeant major
stepped forward and spoke. He spoke about Jonathan as both a
soldier and a son.
Sergeant Major Falaniko read from a few of Jonathan's
recent letters.
For a point of reference, Jonathan was a new soldier who had been in
the Army less than 6 months. He attended basic training beginning in
May 2003 and deployed to Iraq in August of this year. The following
quotes are from some of his letters in the last few months of his life:
Dad, I love being in the Army and I love serving my
country.
Dad, this is where I belong, and this is where I need to be
with you and the other iron soldiers.
Dad, I push myself hard because I know the drill sergeants
expect a lot out of me.
Dad, Iraq is a mess and I am glad we are here to fix it.
Sergeant Major Falaniko finished by sharing from his heart talking
about the kind of kid his was; the kind that loved his sisters and sent
them money on every payday just to let them know he was thinking about
them.
He concluded by saying to the hundreds of soldiers there at their
memorial service, from the three-star general to the private:
What our country brings to Iraq is a chance for freedom and
democracy . . . making a difference every day. My son died
for a good cause . . . he answered the Nation's call like a
typical American soldier. Jonathan was accomplishing his
mission, doing what he was supposed to be doing. He had a big
heart and he was proud to be a soldier.
Then, First Sergeant Allen called:
Private Falaniko.
And there was silence.
Again, he called:
Private Jonathan Falaniko.
And finally:
Private Jonathan Ioakimo Falaniko.
Silence prevailed.
Jonathan Falaniko was a hero who made the ultimate sacrifice. Both he
and his father are examples of what makes our Army and our country
great.
The Army and our Nation mourn his death. That young man--a soldier
for not even a full year--was buried at Arlington National Cemetery on
Friday.
On this Veterans Day, I think we should reflect on the wonderful
young men and wonderful fathers who would put service to country above
all else, for they are the ones who are protecting the freedom that we
enjoy today.
Thank you, Mr. President. I yield the floor.
Mr. ALEXANDER. Mr. President, today is Veterans Day. It is a time to
pay tribute to those who have fought for our freedom and made us the
Nation we are today.
On November 11, 1919, Veterans Day began as Armistice Day. It marked
the first anniversary of the cease-fire agreement among the Allied
powers and Germany to end World War I. It was also to honor the men and
women who sacrificed during that conflict.
In 1926, a congressional resolution officially named Armistice Day in
the United States. It became a national holiday 12 years later. In
1954, Congress passed a law to change the name from Armistice Day to
Veterans Day to honor veterans of all U.S. wars.
As I think about our veterans and all they have sacrificed, I am
reminded of a day 6 months ago when I visited Madisonville, TN, to see
and participate in the raising of the largest American flag in our
State--1,800 square feet.
It was really an awful day. The rain was coming down, there was
lightning and thunder, but hundreds of people stood there to
participate in that ceremony because we knew we were enduring much less
in that rain and in that lightning than men and women from Tennessee
who are serving in Afghanistan or Iraq, or had served on the beaches of
Normandy, or in the rice fields of Vietnam.
Tennessee is the Volunteer State. From the battle of King's Mountain
in the Revolutionary War, through the Mexican War, the Civil War, and
our World Wars, Tennesseans have volunteered. We have honored those
volunteers, and we have honored them as veterans.
As this Nation devotes a day to our veterans, we honor both Tennessee
veterans and Tennessee soldiers because so many Tennesseans--
thousands--are serving in the battle against terrorism--men and women
in active duty, as well as men and women in the National Guard and
those in the Reserves.
The best thing we all can do on this Veterans Day is to show as much
respect and honor to our veterans as our veterans have always shown to
our country.
Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, this year, as we again remember our
veterans and the sacrifices they have made for our country on this 11th
day of the 11th month, the men and women serving in our Armed Forces
deserve special recognition. This year's remembrance is a unique time
as we honor new veterans coming home from the battlefields of
Afghanistan and Iraq who have made the sacrifice and have answered the
call. Our appreciation and gratitude extends to all of them and their
families for the sacrifices that they have made.
As of last week, 395 American service members have been killed and
1,889 American service members have been wounded during Operation Iraqi
Freedom. Our thoughts and prayers are with them and their families. We
pray for the safety of those still in harm's way and hope they return
home soon. I visited some of our servicemen and women at Walter Reed
Army Medical Center here in Washington, DC recuperating from wounds
they received in Iraq. Some of them had lost limbs, and face
significant physical challenges in building a new life. As I expressed
my appreciation to them for their sacrifices, I was humbled and
inspired by their high spirits, their determination and their abiding
faith in our country.
November 11th--the day World War I ended in 1917--has been a
distinguished day of recognition for America's veterans since 1954 when
President Dwight Eisenhower signed into law the day that would honor
the men and women who have served in our Nation's Armed Forces. Since
the founding of our country, almost 50 million men and women have
served in the United States military, and nearly half of them are still
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alive. So today, there are appropriate ceremonies at Arlington National
Cemetery, throughout Michigan and the rest of the country to honor our
veterans and what their service has meant to our country.
I would also like to recognize the African-American men and women who
in years past served our Nation's Armed Forces in primarily segregated
units. While segregation in our Armed Forces is a shameful chapter in
our Nation's past, these veterans should be uniquely recognized for
their honorable service in the face of the burden of segregation.
African-American soldiers overcame a patten of prejudice that
questioned their ability and prevented them from training and working
with their white counterparts. Segregated African-American units have
played an important and powerful role in America's military, from the
Civil War's 54th Regiment of the Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, to
the Indian War's Buffalo Soldiers of the 9th and 10th Cavalry to World
War II's Tuskegee Airmen. Four hundred thousand African-American troops
served the United States in World War I and a million African Americans
served in World War II's segregated services. We should acknowledge
their commitment which went beyond normal service and the call to duty.
I am pleased that this past weekend, a special celebration of our
African-American veterans took place in my home State of Michigan at
the Color of Liberty Celebration at the Wayne County Armory.
I would also like to take a moment to stress the importance of the
Federal Government meeting its obligations to all veterans to provide
appropriate and adequate health care. There is a commitment by the
appropriate committees to add an additional $1.3 billion for veterans
health care before Congress adjourns this year. Right now, 60,000
veterans are waiting 6 months or longer for an appointment at VA
hospitals. I am hopeful that Congress will fulfill our commitments to
our veterans so that they have a strong VA health care system that is
well-funded and suitably staffed.
The terrorist attacks of September 11th and the courageous actions of
our armed forces in Afghanistan and Iraq remind us that friends of
tyranny and enemies of freedom still exist. Whether they are soldiers,
sailors, airmen and marines who fought in the World Wars, Korea,
Vietnam or the Gulf wars, we thank them for their service, their
commitment and their sacrifice in the cause of America's freedom.
Ms. STABENOW. Mr. President, on this Veterans Day, I rise to
recognize a group of truly deserving American veterans--the Tuskegee
Airmen of World War II.
This heroic group of African American flyers fought in two types of
battles--the battle of World War II and the battle against racism at
home.
The Tuskegee airmen were dedicated, determined young men who enlisted
to become America's first black military airmen, at a time when rampant
racism led many people to falsely assume that black men lacked
intelligence, skill, and patriotism. And boy, were they proved wrong.
The military feats of this group can be described as nothing less
than phenomenal.
In Order to enter the training program, the young men were held to
the same demanding physical and mental standards as all other military
pilots and soldiers of supporting fields. And between 1942 and 1946,
992 black American pilots graduated from the rigorous program offered
at Tuskegee Army Air Field, not to mention the black navigators,
bombardiers, and gunnery crews that were trained at selected military
bases elsewhere due to a lack of facilities at Tuskegee.
Four-hundred and fifty of the Tuskegee trained pilots headed to the
Selfridge Air Base in Michigan for combat preparation, before bravely
heading overseas as proud members of either the 99th Fighter Squadron
or the 332nd Fighter Group, later to be conjoined. As the only four-
squadron fighter group performing bomber escort missions in the 15th
Air Force, the 332nd Fighter Group had extraordinary and unprecedented
success. They flew all of their bomber escort missions--over 200--
without the loss of a single bomber to enemy aircraft.
The bomber escort missions of the famed 332nd ``Red Tail'' fighters
were so daunting to the enemy that they served as an immensely strong
deterrent to challenges. The bomber crews that the group escorted
offered abundant expressions of appreciation since they faced far fewer
challenges than other crews in the 15th Air Force.
Sadly, while these men were defending liberty for the people half a
world away, they were also fighting for their own liberation right here
in the United States. Despite their valiant deeds abroad, racism and
bigotry impeded their success at home. Due to strict segregationist
policies, their assignments were restricted to only two fighter groups,
and one fighter wing. Their morale suffered more damage due to the lack
of opportunities for advancement than their air fleet did by enemy
fire.
Despite this setback, these soldiers still performed splendidly. In
1949, Tuskegee pilots took first place in the Air Force National
Fighter Gunnery Meet, surpassing the performances of all the white
units.
The bigotry against these men only served to hurt America. During the
war, many white units badly needed additional qualified soldiers, but
could not draw upon the superb skills of the Tuskegee airmen due to the
military's segregationist policies.
But this cloud had its silver lining. The willpower and skill that
brought success for the Tuskegee airmen abroad also helped in the war
against racism at home. President Harry Truman, recognizing the need
for an integrated air force, enacted an executive order demanding
equality of treatment and opportunity in all of the armed forces.
The Tuskegee airmen were instrumental in the passing of this
executive order, which paved the way for broader victories later on,
including the end of racial segregation in all military forces, and
eventually in the United States as a whole.
These soldiers are a vibrant part of America's history and a part of
Michigan's. Not only did many of the soldiers train at Selfridge Air
Base, but the cadet classes drew heavily from the Detroit citizenry.
One such citizen made Michigan understand the value of the Tuskegee
program to its own history.
Lieutenant Coleman Young, later to become a long-time mayor of
Detroit, was a product of the Tuskegee experience. Assigned to the
477th bombardier, he and his colleagues were never sent into combat due
to racism from senior officers. Determined to preserve the memory of
the Tuskegee airmen, with the help of other Detroit members, he
fostered what has become the National Tuskegee Airmen Historical
Museum, housed at historic Fort Wayne. This small but dignified museum,
occupying an old officer's quarters, perpetuates the great story the
Tuskegee have to tell.
A story I believe we should all listen to. All in all, these soldiers
gave over 150 lives in the name of their country and in the name of
freedom. I now call on that country, the United States, to provide them
the recognition they deserve on this Veterans Day.
According to existing records, 155 Tuskegee soldiers originated from
Michigan, I wish to recognize each one of them:
Tuskegee Airmen
Kermit Bailer; Clarence Banton; James Barksdale of Detroit;
Hugh Barrington of Farmington Hills; Naomi Bell; Thomas
Billingslea; Lee Blackmon; Charles Blakely of Detroit, Robert
Bowers of Detroit; James Brown of Ypsilanti; Willor Brown of
Ypsilanti; Ernest Browne of Detroit; Archibald Browning; Otis
Bryant; Joseph Bryant, Jr. of Dowagiac; Charles Byous; Ernest
Cabule of Detroit; Waldo Cain; Clinton Canady of Lansing;
Carl Carey of Detroit; Gilbert Cargil; Nathaniel Carr of
Detroit; Donald Carter of Detroit; Clifton Casey; David
Cason, Jr; Peter Cassey of Detroit; Robert Chandler of
Allegan; Pembleton Cochran of Detroit; Alfred Cole of
Southfield; James Coleman of Detroit; William Coleman of
Detroit; Eugene Coleman; Matthew Corbin of Detroit; Charles
Craig of Detroit; Herbert Crushshon; John Cunningham of
Romulus; and John Curtis of Detroit.
Donald Davis of Detroit; Cornelius Davis of Detroit; Eugene
Derricotte of Detroit; Taremund Dickerson of Detroit; Walter
Downs of Southfield; John Egan; Leavie Farro, Jr.; Howard
Ferguson; Thomas Flake of Detroit; Harry Ford, Jr. of
Detroit; Luther Friday; Alfonso Fuller of Detroit; William
Fuller of West Bloomfield; Frank Gardner; Robert Garrison of
Muskegon; Thomas Gay of Detroit; Charles Goldsby of Detroit;
Ollie Goodall, Jr. of Detroit; Quintus Green, Sr.;
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Mitchell Greene; James Greer of Detroit; Alphonso Harper of
Detroit; Bernard Harris of Detroit; Denzal Harvey; James
Hayes of Detroit; Ernest Haywood of Detroit; Minus Heath;
Milton Henry of Bloomfield Hills; Mary Hill; Charles Hill,
Jr. of Detroit; Lorenzo Holloway of Detroit; Lynn Hooe of
Farmington Hills; Heber Houston of Detroit; Ted Hunt; and
Hansen Hunter, Jr.
Leonard Isabelle Sr., Leonard Jackson; Lawrence Jefferson
of Grand Rapids; Alexander Jefferson of Detroit; Silas
Jenkins of Lansing; Richard Jennings of Detroit; Louie
Johnson of Farmington; Ralph Jones; William Keene of Detroit;
Laurel Keith of Cassopolis; Hezekiah Lacy of River Rouge;
Richard Macon of Detroit; Albert Mallory; Thomas Malone;
Ralph Mason of Detroit; J. Caulton Mays of Detroit; William
McClenic; Arthur Middlebrooks; Oliver Miller of Battle Creek;
Vincent Mitchell of Mt. Clemens; Wilbur Moffett of Detroit;
Dempsey Morgan of Detroit; Russell Nalle, Jr. of Detroit;
Robert O'Neil of Detroit; Frederick Parker; Robert Pitts of
Detroit; Wardell Polk of Detroit; Walter Poole; Calvin Porter
of Detroit; Calvin Porter; Leonard Proctor; Della Rainey;
Sandy Reid of Southfield; Edward Rembert; Harry Riggs of
Bloomfield Hills; Walter Robinson of Detroit; Major Ross of
Oak Park; Washington Ross of Detroit; John Roundtree of
Westland; Calude Rowe of Detroit; William Ruben; William
Rucker; Jesse Rutledge of Detroit; and Issac Rutledge.
Calvin Sharp; Albert Simeon, Jr. of Detroit; Paul Simmons,
Jr. of Detroit; Leon Smith; Chauncey Spencer; William
Stevenson; Chester Stewart of Detroit; Harry Stewart of
Bloomfield Hills; Roosevelt Stiger of Jackson; Howard Storey;
Willie Sykes of Detroit; Willis Tabor; Kenneth Taitt of
Detroit; William Taylor, Jr. of Inkster; Lucius Theus of
Bloomfield Hills; Donald Thomas of Detroit; Austin Thomas;
Wm. Horton Thompson of Detroit; Jordan Tiller; Paul Tucker of
Detroit; Edward Tunstall of Detroit; Allen Turner of Ann
Arbor; Cleophus Valentine of Detroit; Charles Walker of
Jackson; Robert Walker; Roderick Warren of Detroit; Theodore
Washington of Detroit; Richard Weatherford of Aibion; Jimmie
Wheeler of Detroit; William Wheeler of Detroit; Cohen White
of Detroit; Harold White of Detroit; Paul White; Peter
Whittaker of Detroit; Leonard Wiggins of Detroit; David
Williams of Bloomfield Hills; Willie Williamson of Detroit;
Robert Wolfe; William Womack; and Coleman Young.
Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, today, on Veterans Day, we commemorate
and pay special honor to all the veterans who have made such great
sacrifices in the name of country and democracy.
This day is particularly poignant as our Nation is at war. There are
more than 150,000 military service members in harm's way, fighting
overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan.
They fight for freedom of the Iraqi people, who have faced decades of
extreme oppression and brutality under Saddam Hussein, and against the
Taliban forces, who continue to pose a challenge in Afghanistan.
Sadly, nearly 500 have paid the ultimate sacrifice and many more have
sustained life altering injuries.
And as we prepare to send thousands more in harm's way, I believe
that it's our obligation to ensure that our military service members
and veterans receive full support from Congress, and that our efforts
are tailored to benefit those who proudly serve this Nation.
We have recently granted the Administration an additional $87 billion
dollars in supplemental funding for Iraq and Afghanistan.
While I would have preferred that some of those funds be in the form
of a loan to Iraq, and that there be more safeguards to ensure the
funds are well-used, I believe that it was necessary to provide these
funds.
It is clear to me that we must stay the course, and we must rebuild
the infrastructure, prevent civil war, and see to it that Iraq does not
become a base for terror and instability throughout the region.
We must see to it that a stable governmental structure and viable
economy apart from Saddam's tyrannical dictatorship can be put in
place.
And most importantly, we must see to it that our troops are given all
the tools necessary to accomplish these objectives.
Approving the additional funding was the only way to truly support
our military service members and aid their ultimate success.
As we seek to ensure that the current war efforts are well funded, we
also need to realize that very soon, the young men and women of our
armed forces will be returning home.
Some will require extraordinary care for a long period of time. It is
incumbent upon us to ensure that they have adequate facilities to aid
them in their recovery and recuperation.
There must not be any doubt by any of our injured veterans that they
did the right thing in sacrificing health to defend our nation's
interest.
The best way to prove to them that they have our full support is to
ensure that they receive good health care and adequate benefits once
they return home.
It is our responsibility to make sure that our veterans are not
waiting six months or longer for appointments at VA hospitals, nor
should they have to wait for 15 months for disability claims to be
finalized, as is now often the case.
And prescriptions costs must be affordable.
We need to make room available in VA hospitals to ensure that all of
our veterans whether active duty or reserves are adequately served.
In order to accomplish this task we must be cautious as we close
hospitals under the Capital Assets Realignment for Enhanced Services--
CARES--program to ensure that we don't leave our veterans stranded
without accessible services.
As our veterans return home, some with great and debilitating
injuries, we must also ensure that their compensation is just, full,
and reflective of the American spirit.
Finally, we need to remember the families of the great men and women
who are separated from their loved ones.
We must make sure that their concerns are the Nation's concerns.
While their loved ones are overseas fighting for America's interest,
Congress must ensure that their medical needs are covered.
As I reflect on the origin of Veterans Day, it brings me great hope
that our service members will be home and peace will reign again.
On June 4, 1934, Congress enacted a concurrent resolution,
recognizing November 11, 1918. The resolution states: ``Whereas the 11
of November 1918, marked the cessation of the most destructive,
sanguinary, and far reaching war in human annals and the resumption by
the people of the United States of peaceful relation with other
nations, which we hope may never again be severed, and Whereas it is
fitting that the recurring anniversary of this date should be
commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to
perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between
nations; . . . ''
On May 13, 1938, the 11 of November was approved as a legal holiday
dedicated to world peace, known as Armistice Day. Finally, on June 1,
1954, Congress renamed Armistice Day to Veterans Day, thereby
commending all veterans.
Veterans Day is often associated with war, but its true significance
lies in peace and humanity.
Since September 11 this country has undergone tremendous struggle and
uncertainty.
We have shown that our resiliency is greater than our fears and our
convictions of freedom and right can not be compromised.
This country is great because its citizens are great. This country
was born from the sacrifice of its citizens and the vision they saw.
Today we honor the citizens who served and continue to serve our
great country. They are the protectors of our democracy and our way of
life; they are our veterans.
Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, in the past few days, the tragic headlines
from Iraq have reminded us of the selfless sacrifices our soldiers,
sailors, marines and airmen make every day to keep this country strong
and safe. The conflict in Iraq brings home again the debt we owe to
America's veterans for their service and their sacrifices.
In North Dakota, we are extremely proud to have the highest per
capita participation in the Guard of any State and to be among the
leaders in per capita participation in the Reserves. More than 1,000
North Dakota National Guardsmen and reservists in Iraq, Kuwait and
Afghanistan are serving with distinction. Behind these statistics,
though, are individual soldiers who have left behind families. With the
wonders of modern technology, I can hear directly from soldiers who are
on the frontlines in Iraq. I hear of their accomplishments, when
they've helped make life just a little better for an Iraqi family or
even a whole community. I hear of their pride in doing a job well for
their country. But I also hear
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of their frustration with searing heat, swirling dust, and irregular
access to showers and the other comforts we take for granted. I hear of
their worries about family at home, how their loved ones are coping
with their absence and their concern that the news of deaths and
injuries among their fellow soldiers are adding to the stress on their
families. I hear their longing to get back to home and family. In
short, I hear of the sacrifices they are making on our behalf.
And every day I hear from the family members of our activated
servicemen and servicewomen. I hear how proud they are that their
beloved ones are serving the country they love. But I also hear of the
added burden that those left behind must bear. I hear the frustration
of not knowing when a loved one will come home and of learning that the
deployment has been extended. I hear of the hit on the family finances
for Guardsmen or reservists who have left higher paying jobs to serve
their country--and of the spouses who are left to keep the family
business running on their own. I hear of the added work as one parent
takes on the work normally done by two--the caregiving, the helping
with homework, the coaching, the meal preparation--all the little
chores that add up and are starting to become a source of stress for
some families. I hear the added anxiety of knowing that a loved one is
serving in a dangerous role far from home. Each time the phone rings,
they hope that it will be a rare opportunity to hear that everything is
going well and to say ``I love you,'' but they fear that it could be
news of a casualty. In short, I hear of the sacrifices that they are
making on our behalf.
And I hear of the tremendous impact on small communities throughout
North Dakota. The current call-up has meant the loss of valued
employees in small businesses on main streets across the state. It has
meant the loss of teachers, volunteer firefighters, policemen, and
medical personnel. And it has meant the absence of church leaders, PTA
leaders, Little League coaches. In short, it has meant sacrifices great
and small.
So this Veterans Day, we are reminded of the tremendous sacrifices of
our veterans and their families. Today is a Federal holiday. But it is
more than that. It is an opportunity to stop and thank veterans for
their service and their sacrifice. It is an opportunity to tell them
how proud they make you. And it is an opportunity to remember those who
made the ultimate sacrifice and the debt of gratitude and honor this
country owes to their heroism.
I deeply regret that the business of the Senate is keeping me here in
Washington so that I am not able to deliver that message personally to
the tens of thousands of North Dakota veterans who served in past
conflicts and wars. More than 50,000 veterans currently live in my
State. Their service is rich in history. I remember reviewing
historical accounts of one of the most significant engagements
involving North Dakotans in 1942, when members of the 164th Infantry
Regiment of the ND Army National Guard were the first Army unit to
engage in combat action in the Pacific Theater on Guadalcanal. I was
honored to have introduced a resolution that passed the Senate in 1992
paying tribute to the heroic actions of the 164th Infantry unit.
Today, as I noted earlier, military personnel from our State continue
to protect our homeland and to serve in hostile environments around the
world. Active duty personnel from the Minot and Grand Forks AFB, Air
National Guard from Fargo, and the more than 1,000 Army National
Guardsmen and reservists continue to play a vital role in homeland
security and in the fight against terrorism. We owe these active duty
personnel and their families a deep debt of gratitude for responding to
the extraordinary challenges posed by international terrorism.
As we observe Veterans Day, let us remember that the respect and
appreciation that we show our veterans and active duty personnel on
this day is an act that we should demonstrate every day of the year. It
is especially important that we honor veterans and their families by
making certain that our active duty personnel and veterans receive the
benefits that we have promised and that they are entitled to receive.
We can do no less for the sacrifices that they have made.
That is why I am working hard in the remaining days of the 1st
Session of the 108th Congress to make certain that our veterans receive
significant increases in funding for VA health care, funding that
should come as close as possible to the recommendations of our national
veterans service organizations in the annual Independent Budget. I am
hopeful that Congress will increase the VA health care budget by $1.3
billion, bringing the level close to $27.2 billion. I strongly support
that increase. Additionally, I am very concerned by the uncertainty of
annual appropriations for VA health care every year, and believe that
we need to make VA health care funding mandatory to guarantee that
veterans get the health care they need and deserve. I am pleased to be
a cosponsor of legislation, S. 50, that would guarantee full funding
for VA health care.
I also believe that it is time to end the penalty against our
disabled veterans, and am pleased that we are making progress on
providing full concurrent receipt of veterans disability compensation
and military retirement pay for more veterans. While final action has
not been completed on the concurrent receipt, I am hopeful that an
agreement to expand significantly the number of veterans eligible for
concurrent receipt and military retirement pay, without an offset, will
be enacted by Congress in the very near future. We must, however,
continue our efforts to provide full concurrent receipt for all
veterans entitled to this benefit.
Let me close by saying thank you. Thank you to our veterans. Thank
you to our military personnel now on active duty around the world. Your
service and your sacrifice make me, and you make America, very, very
proud.
Ms. CANTWELL. Mr. President, today marks the 50th anniversary of
Veterans Day. This historic occasion is an important opportunity for
all Americans to express our gratitude to our Nation's veterans for the
sacrifices they have made serving our country and defending our
freedom.
My first sense of the sacrifice made by our veterans came from my
family. My father volunteered to serve in the Air Force during World
War II, and flew missions over Europe. I will never forget his stories
of the war, of the men with whom he served, and of the dangers they
faced together. Yet he knew full well the risks he would face when he
joined up.
In fact, my father enlisted after learning that his brother was
missing in action. Like the hundreds of thousands who fell at places
like Normandy, Guadalcanal, Anzio, and Attu, and places so desolate
they remain unnamed, my uncle never came home. He and his brothers in
arms gave their lives to defend freedom at home and around the world.
In perhaps the most eloquent testament to the sacrifice of our
Nation's veterans, President Abraham Lincoln said:
But in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate--we cannot
consecrate--we cannot hallow--this ground. The brave men,
living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far
above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little
note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never
forget what they did here.
President Lincoln's stirring words are as true today as they were at
Gettysburg 140 years ago this month. The ongoing deployments in the
Middle East are a reminder of these sacrifices. Earlier this year, I
had the opportunity to visit American troops stationed in Afghanistan
and Iraq. I was impressed by their grit and their resolve to carry out
a dangerous mission under extremely difficult circumstances.
I was also proud to join the families and neighbors who welcomed home
the thousands of Washington sailors, aviators, and Marines who served
in the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln carrier battle group. It was uplifting to
see such a tremendous outpouring of support for our troops.
Sadly, not all of them will make it home. To the families and loved
ones of those men and women who have given their lives, I offer my
heartfelt sympathy. You have the everlasting gratitude of the State of
Washington and the Nation.
I am profoundly grateful for the service of America's military
personnel and for the sacrifices they have made in protecting our
country and our freedoms. Although we commemorate their service on this
special day each year, it
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is important to remember that the men and women in uniform make
sacrifices to safeguard America every day.
Their service, both in peacetime and in war, protects us all. Our
responsibility to them is to ensure that they and their families are
provided the recognition that they have earned and so greatly deserve.
It is also our charge, as Lincoln described it, to renew our dedication
to the ``great task remaining before us''--to renew our dedication to
freedom and democracy. I am confident that as we a nation will continue
to live up to this challenge. I hope that we can meet our obligations
as citizens with the same sense of duty and honor with which America's
veterans served.
Mr. BENNETT. Mr. President, on Veterans Day, it is fitting to pause,
remember and recognize the contributions of those who have defended
America throughout our history. Today, I would also like to recognize a
man who risked his life to save his fellow marines in the horrific
World War II battle for Iwo Jima.
Historian David Kennedy, in his book ``Freedom from Fear,'' describes
the battle of Iwo Jima:
The twenty-one-thousand-man Japanese garrison had
honeycombed Iwo's basaltic ridges and Suribachi's ashen
flanks with reinforced concrete-and-steel bunkers and stuffed
them with artillery, antiaircraft guns, mortars, and machine
guns. They were so well and deeply entrenched that seventy-
two days of aerial bombing and three days of naval shelling
barely scratched them. At first light on February 19 two
divisions of marines, each man carrying up to a hundred
pounds of gear, stepped from their amphtracs onto Iwo's
beaches and sank to their boot-tops in the powdery mixture of
sand and volcanic ash. Vehicles, including tanks and half-
tracks, soon bogged down in the quicksand-like topping of
pumice and cinder that blanketed the island. From the
Japanese bunkers and pillboxes a hellish rain of shells and
bullets pelted the beaches, where the marines seemed to be
moving in slow motion through the sucking sand . . .
The battle ground on . . . with unmatched barbarity.
Japanese soldiers stubbornly refused to surrender. When the
fighting ended at last in late March, only a few hundred
Japanese, mostly wounded, had allowed themselves to be taken
prisoner.
From February 19 to March 25, 1945, 6,140 Marine and Navy soldiers
were killed on Iwo Jima and 17,372 were wounded. Nearly two of three
soldiers who fought on Iwo Jima were killed or wounded. Twenty-two
Marines and four corpsmen received medals of honor.
During those terrible days of February and March of 1945, George E.
Wahlen was a medical corpsman. James Bradley, in the book, Flags of our
Fathers said this:
. . . In the European theater, my dad (a navy corpsman)
would have worn a red cross on his helmet and expected the
Germans to spare him as a noncombatant. And he would have
been unarmed, according to the Geneva Convention. but the
Pacific theater was different. . . . The Japanese on Iwo Jima
had been trained to look for corpsmen by identifying their
telltale medical pouch--and shoot them on the spot. Without a
corpsman to save the wounded, the Japanese knew, their kill
ratio would be much higher . . .
Though seriously wounded three times in 26 days, corpsman George
Whalen refused evacuation and repeatedly defined heavy mortar and rifle
fire from the enemy to find and treat his wounded comrades.
Disregarding his own safety, he continued to cross open terrain under
fire to aid his friends, until he was so badly wounded, he could no
longer walk. Even then, he carried on, crawling across the ground
through the raging battle to administer aid to yet another fallen
comrade. For his unselfish and steadfast courage, and for ``conspicuous
gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the
call of duty.'' George Wahlen was awarded the Medal of Honor, and is
Utah's only living recipient of that rare recognition.
We are all familiar with the language of military honors, but, in
these challenging times, where American soldiers and sailors, airmen
and marines, once again are serving in foreign lands and showing the
same gallant spirit of sacrifice and courage in the face of battle, we
need to hear it again. I would like to quote from Mr. Wahlen's
citation:
Painfully wounded . . . he remained on the battlefield,
advancing well forward of the front lines to aid a wounded
marine and carrying him back to safety despite a terrific
concentration of fire. Tireless in his ministrations, he
consistently disregarded all danger to attend his fighting
comrades as they fell under the devastating rain of shrapnel
and bullets. . . . When an adjacent platoon suffered heavy
casualties, he defied the continuous pounding of heavy
mortars and deadly fire of enemy rifles to care for the
wounded, working rapidly in an area swept by constant fire
and treating 14 casualties before returning to his own
platoon. Wounded again . . . he gallantly refused
evacuation, moving out with his company the following day in
a furious assault across 600 yards of open terrain and
repeatedly rendering medical aid while exposed to the
blasting fury of powerful Japanese guns. Stouthearted and
indomitable, he persevered in his determined efforts as
his unit waged fierce battle and, unable to walk after
sustaining a third agonizing wound, resolutely crawled 50
yards to administer first aid to still another fallen
fighter. By his dauntless fortitude and valor, Wahlen
served as a constant inspiration and contributed vitally
to the high morale of his company during critical phases
of this strategically important engagement. His heroic
spirit of self-sacrifice in the face of overwhelming enemy
fire upheld the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval
Service.
James Bradley, in an article in the Wall Street Journal on November
10, 2002, considered the phrase ``Uncommon Valor was a Common Virtue''
in his search to learn the story of his dad, and others at Iwo Jima.
Mr. Bradley wrote:
Corpsman George Wahlen was injured in the eye and shoulder,
but patched himself up secretly so he would not be evacuated.
When an exploding shell shattered his ankle, leaving his foot
dangling and all but disconnected from the leg, he shot
himself with morphine, taped up his ankle, and crawled back
to the fight with one good eye, one good arm, and one good
leg. Corpsman Wahlen had to be dragged off the field of
battle. ``Why?'' I asked. He answered, ``I just did what
anyone else would have done in the situation.''
. . . I thought to myself, ``If uncommon valor was so
common on Iwo Jima, why can't I find the Rambos of my
imagination?'' All I could find were humble guys who insisted
they hadn't done much . . . But I realized then that what my
dad's life and words, and the words and lives of these other
heroes, were trying to tell me, was that it was all about
common virtue.
My dad and his comrades were men of common virtue before
Iwo Jima, on Iwo Jima, and after Iwo Jima. Their actions and
lives were consistent . . . I realized that the key to my
dad's life was the attitude of common virtue he practiced
throughout his days. . . . My dad, running through bullets on
Iwo Jima, doing his duty in the Pacific. My dad having the
patience to teach me, a young son, how to tie his shoes. My
dad, just lending a hand in his community. . . . And I am
confident that if my dad were here to read these words about
common virtue being the root of heroism, he would shake his
head in agreement and say: ``It's as simple as that.''
Mr. Wahlen has demonstrated common virtue throughout his life and
continues to do so. He did not end his service on Iwo Jima. Following
World War II, true to the code of what Tom Brokaw called ``the greatest
generation,'' he went on to serve his country in two more wars and to
dedicate countless volunteer hours in following years to the service of
his fellow veterans.
It is to honor this fine and humble man, who would be the last to
claim such an honor for himself, that I am proposing to change the name
of the Department of Veterans Affairs' Medical Center in Salt Lake
City, UT to the ``George E. Wahlen Department of Veterans Affairs
Medical Center.'' Senator Hatch and I introduced this legislation, S.
1815, last week.
This is a proper and fitting thing to do, not only because of Mr.
Wahlen's accomplishments and service, but also because he is beloved by
his fellow veterans. This is made clear by the unanimous support I
received in support of this change from all of the State commanders and
directors of Utah's veterans' organizations and State and Federal
agencies: the American Legion, the Disabled American Veterans, the
Veterans of Foreign Wars, the VA Regional Office, the Utah Division of
Veterans Affairs, and the VA Medical Center itself.
When carrying the 2002 Olympic Torch George Wahlen said, ``It's an
honor, but I feel like I'm representing all the veterans in the State
of Utah.'' He has represented veterans so often over the last 30 years.
In this circumstance, we honor George Wahlen, as a veteran, a Medal of
Honor recipient, a man of both valor and virtue, and as a
representative of all of the veterans who have served their country.
Many veterans who returned as heroes are often uncomfortable with the
designation of heroes. James Bradley, in Flags of our Fathers,
recounted a story where his third grade teacher referred to James's
father as a hero and wanted him to come and speak to his
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class. He recounts the exchange with his father:
``Jim, your teacher said something about heroes . . .''
I shifted expectantly in my chair, waiting to hear some
stories of valor. Instead he looked me directly in my nine-
year-old eyes, signaling that he'd like to embed an idea in
my brain for the rest of my life. He said ``I want you to
always remember something. The heroes of Iwo Jima are the
guys who didn't come back.''
Today, we remember those who came back and those who didn't--those
who didn't come back from Iwo Jima, from Guadalcanal, from Normandy,
from Vietnam, from Korea, from Afghanistan, from Iraq.
While words fail to make an adequate tribute to those who lost their
lives and paid a price in sacrifice for what we enjoy today, I will
borrow from what has already been written. In 1940, Winston Churchill
spoke to the House of Commons in relation to the Battle of Britain. He
said, ``Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so
many to so few.''
There are heroes that never came back. There are heroes that did. Let
us not forget.
Mr. BREAUX. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the veterans of the
U.S. Armed Services and to thank those who continue to serve bravely
and protect the United States around the world.
My home State of Louisiana has made a significant contribution to the
war on terrorism. Since September 11, 2001, more than 15,000 Louisiana
men and women have fought to protect Americans from those that threaten
our safety. Every military installation in Louisiana has contributed to
this effort. There are 4,000 men and women from Fort Polk currently
serving in Iraq, more than 6,000 members from Barksdale Air Force Base
deployed since September 11, and thousands of reservists and Guardsmen
continue to be activated and deployed throughout our country and the
world. In the coming months, over one hundred more Marine Reservists
from Belle Chasse Joint Reserve Base in Louisiana will be called into
action in Iraq. I would like to take this opportunity to express my
deep gratitude for their sacrifice.
I also want to let the roughly 379,000 veterans living in Louisiana
and those around the country know we do not forget your service to our
country. We will be eternally grateful for your service to the United
States in our past and present wars against communism, fascism, and
terrorism. Our Nation stays strong because of your efforts, and the
world is a better place for the things you have done.
On this anniversary of the historic World War I armistice in Europe,
I honor the great achievements and sacrifices of the acting and retired
members of the United States Armed Services and thank them for their
bravery.
Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I pay tribute to the 26.4 million military
veterans and their families living in the United States who have served
in defense of our great Nation. In 1918, on the 11th hour of the 11th
day in the 11th month, the world rejoiced and celebrated. After four
years of bitter war, an armistice was signed. The ``war to end all
wars'' was over. How unprophetic were these sincere but hopeful words.
The turn of events has since made us realize more than ever that
``Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty,'' and Armistice Day has
turned into Veterans Day to honor all our brave men and women who
served since that hope-filled day in many countries to defend liberty
and freedom.
America today, and this imperfect world, is a better place because of
the sacrifices made by our veterans and their families, many of whom
paid the ultimate price, for ``The only thing necessary for the triumph
of evil is for good men to do nothing.'' When duty called, our veterans
responded magnificently.
As we engage in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom,
Operation Noble Eagle, and countless other missions around the world,
it is important that we support our men and women in the military by
providing them with the training, equipment, and resources necessary
for them to accomplish their mission so that they can return to their
families in a timely manner. We must also honor their families who also
sacrifice precious time with them so that they can defend our freedom.
At the same time, we must never forget the contributions and
sacrifices made by those veterans who served in past conflicts, and
their families. We must work to ensure that our veterans are provided
with appropriate services and benefits, such as adequate health care,
in a timely fashion. We currently face a $1.8 billion shortfall in
funding needed to provide healthcare for our veterans. I remain
committed to ensuring that our veterans are provided with the services
and benefits that they have earned.
I am honored to pay tribute to these fine individuals on behalf of a
grateful Nation.
Mr. CHAMBLISS. Mr. President, from the Meuse-Argonne campaign of
World War I to the action in Operation Iraqi Freedom, American
soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines have fought on front lines
around the globe to defend our freedom at home. Whether fighting on the
battlefield or manning the ramparts against the threat of Communist
aggression, it is courage, commitment and endurance of the American
fighting forces that have made possible the unprecedented prosperity
and political freedom that we enjoy today. As a result of the constant
struggle to defend freedom, we now have 26 million American veterans,
about 768,000 of which are from my home state of Georgia.
With each year that passes, these veterans are growing older. At last
count, 37 percent of these heroes are over 65 years old and many of
them need medical care. Caring for these brave men and women is an
obligation that we must take seriously. In my first year as a
Congressman, in 1995, spending on veterans healthcare was $16 billion.
Just 9 years later, President Bush's fiscal year budget request was $27
billion, an increase of $11 billion. We can always do better, and we
will, but I think that this dramatic rise in funding is remarkable.
We have taken other significant steps to help our Nation's veterans,
including concurrent receipt legislation in the fiscal year 2004
Defense Authorization Act, which we will consider today on the floor of
the Senate. This provision helps disabled veterans wounded in combat to
receive both their disability compensation as well as the pension which
they earned in service to our Nation. In addition, the concurrent
receipt provision will extend full disability and Veterans Affairs
retirement pay for all disabled veterans rated 50 percent and higher.
When enacted, this provision does more to honor our Nation's disabled
veterans than Congress has done in years.
On this day, my thoughts and prayers are with the families of the
fallen soldiers who were deployed from my home State and throughout the
Nation, who served with honor and bravery in the Middle East and
Afghanistan. My thought and prayers are also with the family of GEN Ray
Davis, who passed away earlier this year and whose legacy of service,
honor, and heroism will be remembered for years to come.
Mr. SARBANES. Mr. President, I join with my colleagues on this
Veterans Day in paying tribute to those men and women who have so ably
served in our Nation's Armed Forces and honoring the tremendous
sacrifices they have made for this great country.
I firmly believe that those citizens who have been called upon to
defend our Nation, to risk and in many cases sacrifice their lives,
deserve our utmost respect and gratitude, for these noble men and women
are responsible for the peace and freedom which we, as Americans,
cherish.
As we use this time to reflect upon the heroic deeds of the past, we
should also recognize the significance of these deeds for the present
and the future. Due to the unselfish efforts of those of who have
served, those who serve now, and the efforts of all of those who are no
longer here with us, the world continues to be a safer place and the
principles of democracy survive.
I have often said we ought not be sunshine patriots, that our
dedication to the men and women who have served should not solely be
reserved for days such as this. Rather, we should be cognizant of their
contributions every day of the year.
Throughout my time in Congress, I am pleased to have fought hard on
behalf of the issues of importance to our Nation's veterans: improving
veterans
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health care and making it more accessible, protecting our veterans'
benefits, including the authorization of concurrent receipt, and
ensuring that each veteran has a proper burial.
This week, the Senate may take up the Department of Veterans Affairs
Appropriations bill--which will fund VA and its programs during the
current fiscal year. I am pleased to have joined with many of my
colleagues in working to increase the VA budget by $1.3 billion--to
ensure that all veterans receive the benefits to which they are
entitled. I am hopeful that this increase will ultimately be included
in the bill when it is sent to the President for signature.
In my view, we have a responsibility to adequately fund these
programs--programs critical to the continued health and welfare of our
Nation's veterans. It is simply a matter of fairness and is, indeed,
the very least we can do to honor their commitment and service to this
Nation.
Mr. CORZINE. Mr. President, I rise to call attention to the
importance of the Veterans Day commemoration ceremonies and private
remembrances, both formal and informal, being observed today by
Americans around the Nation and across the world.
Given the many demands on this body and the hectic pace of modern
life, it is all too easy for the Senate, as well as for all Americans,
to fail to give this day--Veterans' Day the attention it demands. It is
all too easy to let the date on the calendar pass without stopping and
reflecting.
But, as citizens, as well as public servants, we must never fail to
commemorate, honor, and remember in our hearts our veterans and their
sacrifices and what those sacrifices have meant to our country.
A mere once a year we are called to publicly applaud and honor the
many Americans, living and deceased, men and women of every ethnic
group and walk of life, who have given of themselves, their time, their
youth, their sweat, and, all too frequently, their blood, and their
lives. Their sacrifices have kept us free and enabled us to remain the
last best hope of the world.
About this nation's revolution, Thomas Paine wrote:
These are the times that try men's souls. The summer
soldier and the sunshine patriot will shrink from the service
of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the
love and thanks of man and woman.
In observing Veterans Day today, we offer our love and thanks to
those Americans, over the course of our history, who did not shrink
from the service of their country.
Most came to military service willingly, even eagerly, many with good
humor and high hopes, some more reluctantly, and more than a few who,
frankly, would rather have been elsewhere.
I can remember myself some years ago, as a young marine humping an
81-millimeter mortar tube across the California desert, wishing very
sincerely to be elsewhere at that moment.
What they all have in common, and what we all honor today, is that
they did not shrink from the service to their country, and still don't.
As they did not shrink from service during World War II in the
Pacific and in Europe, in long and bitter wars in Korea and Vietnam, in
Lebanon and Grenada, in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, and, today, in Iraq
and in Afghanistan, on hundreds of ships in every ocean of the world;
in Minot, ND; and in Fort Dix, NJ; on Diego Garcia and in Misawa,
Japan; at Ft. Benning, GA; on Paris Island, SC; and at Walter Reed Army
Hospital and Bethesda Naval Hospital here in Washington.
They responded to a sense of duty, obligation, and a desire to belong
to or strive for something separate and apart from personal ambition.
They may not even see or clearly understand at the time their own
motivations, but they do not shrink from service all the same, and our
country is the better for it.
A simple choice on the face of it--the willingness to serve--but one
that, given the unparalleled abundance of choices that Americans today
enjoy--we must recognize, honor and support.
As we stop to honor our veterans, we must go beyond rhetorical
support.
We must provide for those who have served the rest of us so well, and
we need to do so in practical and concrete terms, for our debt to our
veterans' demands that we respond to their needs and their concerns,
and demands that we deliver the benefits they have earned through their
service and sacrifice.
First, full accountability for all MIA/POW's, without exception.
There is no higher obligation for a country than to keep faith with
those of its fighting men and women who may still be in enemy hands. We
must not turn away.
In this regard, I urge the administration and the Defense Department
to continue their search for CAPT Michael Scott Speicher, United States
Navy, whose family is from New Jersey and whose aircraft was shot down
over Iraq in 1991.
Then-Commander Speicher was reported as the first American service
member killed in action in Desert Storm. His status, however, was
changed by the Department of Defense from killed in action to MIA and
then, in 2002, to POW. More indications suggesting Captain Speicher may
have survived his 1991 shoot-down came to light after our liberation of
Iraq.
The Defense Department's search for him, with the urging of my Senate
colleagues and me, must continue until Captain Speicher's fate is fully
accounted for.
Turning to the VA health care system, tens of thousands of veterans
now must wait six months and more for appointments. Some find they have
to wait as long as one to two years to be seen.
This kind of delay and lack of access to healthcare is unacceptable
and yet is all too common. It is also completely unnecessary. The
difficulties faced by our veterans are caused by chronic underfunding
of the VA health system.
The VA system relies on the annual appropriations process, a process
which is contentious and unpredictable and which makes it all too
tempting to slash current year funding regardless of how this affects
our veterans.
This year, for example, veterans organizations estimate that the VA
health system needs $1.8 billion more than the President requested.
As a result, veterans advocates have once again found themselves
playing catch-up.
The solution is mandatory funding of VA health needs so that
veteran's benefits are no longer subject to the politics of the annual
appropriations process.
Without such a mechanism, the VA system will remain chronically
underfunded, and veterans needing care will continue to have to wait
disgracefully long periods of time.
I also wish to note that today I am introducing the Comprehensive
Hepatitis C Health Care Act, to provide increased testing and care for
veterans at risk of or infection with hepatitis C.
Most veterans who have hepatitis C don't even know it, and often
don't get treatment until it's too late.
Yet despite recent advances in care, the VA still lacks a
comprehensive approach to testing and treating veterans for the virus.
The legislation I am introducing would improve access to hepatitis C
testing and treatment for all veterans, ensure that the VA spends all
allocated hepatitis C funds on testing and treatment, and set new,
national policies for hepatitis C care.
I have also introduced and will continue to push for a measure to
lower the retirement age for reservists to 55.
This measure is a way to ensure fairer treatment for reservists in
their career planning and to make a reserve career more attractive to
military members who might otherwise opt out of further service.
We need to think about equity for reservists, and about the
attractiveness of Reserve careers as our global strategy comes to rely
ever more heavily on reservist citizen-soldiers.
We also owe our veterans full concurrent receipts.
There should be no conflict between a veteran's right to receive his
or her retirement benefits and a disabled veteran's right to disability
income. And yet, incredibly enough, disabled veterans continue to pay
what is, in effect, a tax on their disability payments. It is time--
once and for all--to eliminate this tax.
Ensuring that all veterans have access to quality healthcare is a
small repayment for the contributions veterans have made in service to
this Nation.
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Unfortunately, the current Veterans Administration healthcare funding
formula--VERA--puts veterans in high-cost areas, such as New Jersey, at
a severe disadvantage in getting adequate medical care.
Vets shouldn't be forced to wait months for an appointment at a
veterans medical clinic or to shoulder excessive fees because of a
quirk in the formula that funds VA health care.
That is why I introduced legislation to make VA healthcare funding
fairer by accounting for the distinct financial challenges confronting
veterans and healthcare providers in different parts of the country.
This legislation, S. 1014, would replace the national income
threshold for classification as a low-income veteran--currently $24,000
for all parts of the country--with regional thresholds defined by the
Department of Housing and Urban Development.
This adjustment would help low-income veterans across the country
afford quality health care and help ensure that Veterans Integrated
Service Networks, VISN's, receive adequate funding to care for their
distinct veteran populations.
In thinking about our veterans, we must also consider the brave men
and women fighting for us now in Iraq and in Afghanistan and elsewhere.
As we honor their service, we must never forget what we owe them--now
and when they return.
With so many Guard men and women and Reservists serving, it is
critical that we extend to them the benefits they deserve.
One benefit for which we have had to fight is the extension of
TRICARE coverage to all reservists. We have succeeded in getting this
critical benefit for a year. We will, therefore, be revisiting this
issue next year. I and like-minded colleagues remain advocates of
extending such coverage to reservists.
As we asked our young citizens in the past, we are again today asking
them to do extraordinary things, and we need to see that they have the
proper care and assistance when they come home. There is no excuse for
failing them.
We all remember that Veterans Day began as a commemoration of the
Armistice which ended World War I, a catastrophic event which this body
described as ``the most destructive, sanguinary and far reaching war in
human annals'' to that point.
We pause and remember, and we again commit ourselves to honor and to
stand by the veterans of the Great War and of all America's wars, past
and present.
Mr. NELSON of Florida. Mr. President, I am proud to come to the floor
of the Senate and join in solemn tribute to the millions of American
men and women who have protected our freedom over the long history of
our Republic.
Every American knows it is part of our national character to pay
tribute to the service of those who have worn the uniform of our Armed
Forces to defend our way of life.
As a nation, we have dedicated this day to reflect upon the service
and sacrifice of the many generations of Americans who have delivered
and preserved for us a nation free and strong.
This Veterans Day is even more solemn and thoughtful for all
Americans for we are a nation at war. Americans are fully aware that
hundreds of thousands of their neighbors, son and daughters, husbands
and wives, fathers and mothers are in harms way around the globe.
Americans are fully aware that over four hundred service members have
lost and continue to risk their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan while
over 2,400 more have been wounded or injured. All Americans share the
pain and sense of loss for those killed and those suffering from
wounds. And Americans recognize and are ready for the many sacrifices
that lie ahead. We are a resolute people determined to defend our
liberty and bring peace and justice to a dangerous world. This
determination is evident throughout our Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines,
and Coast Guard.
I saw it myself when I visited soldiers of the Florida National
Guard's 124th Infantry in Baghdad last summer. They are tough, well-
trained, devoted citizen soldiers demonstrating their professionalism
every day on the dangerous streets of a city that still quakes with
war. These great soldiers are worthy of their legacy; they are worthy
of our admiration and gratitude.
We must be worthy of them and keep the Nation's promises to them-our
promise to attend to their welfare and the welfare of their families.
As Abraham Lincoln instructed us, ours is an obligation to, ``to care
for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and for his
orphan.'' Too often we fall short on this care. We must meet this
obligation with the same sense of determination and honor as our
veterans' service is always rendered.
We have underfunded our veterans health care system and the backlog
of claims remains unacceptably high. This is not right.
We have partially eliminated the disabled veterans tax, or Concurrent
Receipt, but only for one-third of those entitled to both their retired
pay and disability compensation. We have created among our retired
veterans the ``haves'' and ``have-nots'' and this is simply not right.
They are all worthy and deserve to have what they have been promised
now without delay.
We have done nothing to improve our systems for caring for the
survivors of veterans or retirees, especially those that were 100
percent disabled. The Department of Defense Survivor Benefits Plan
remains uncorrected for offsets based on benefits from Social Security
and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation--reductions in income in
amounts and at times that widows often can least afford.
We, the Congress, must keep trying to do the right thing by these our
greatest Americans.
The Nation continues to be truly blessed that our youth, our future
generations, take inspiration from the devotion and sacrifice of those
who have answered the Nation's call to arms in the past and those who
defend us around a very dangerous world today.
Today we are reminded of where we have been as a nation, and upon
whose sacrifice we have become what we are.
Let us rededicate ourselves to freedom and justice and peace--and the
sacrifice of those men and women whose service will deliver and
preserve them for America and our friends around the world. For this we
are a stronger people, a stronger nation, and a stronger community.
Let us pray for the safety of our men and women in uniform past and
present, and let us pray for the comfort of their loved ones.
Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, once again we find our young men and
women in harm's way in a foreign land. As they have so many times in
our history, Americans in uniform carry the torch of freedom in their
hands and the promise of peace in their hearts as they face those who
would rule by tyranny and violence. On this Veterans Day, I rise not
only to commend our veterans but also to recognize the men and women of
the State of Maine engaged on the front lines in the Global War on
Terrorism.
Maine is well represented by young men and women serving on active
duty in our Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard. Since
September 11, 2001, citizen-soldiers from across the State of Maine
from all Reserve and Guard components have closed ranks with those on
active duty to protect our shores and secure our future.
The men and women from Maine have left homes, jobs, and loved ones to
answer the call to duty. Senior Master Sergeant Stephen Valley is among
them. Steve, who hails from Millinocket, ME, left the active Air Force
in 1994 after nearly eighteen years of service. In 1998, he joined the
Air Force Reserve, and despite family challenges, including a father
sick with Parkinson's disease, stepped forward and mobilized in
November of 2001. Steve served nearly continously in the Middle East
since then, including duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, until he retired
from active service on November 1. He is a man of courage and
character. He represents the best we offer to a world longing for
freedom and peace.
Mainers are deployed around the globe. Nearly twenty-five percent of
the Maine Army National Guard is on alert, mobilized, or deployed.
Maine National Guard soldiers are guarding prisoners at Guantanamo
Naval Station in Cuba. Soldiers of Company E, 120th Aviation of Bangor
are controlling air traffic in Afghanistan. Members of the 112th Air
Ambulance Unit
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from Bangor are performing medivac missions in Iraq. Soldiers of the
11-36 Transportation Company from Bangor and Sanford are moving
supplies across Iraq and Kuwait. Soldiers from the 94th Military Police
Company of Maine and New Hampshire are performing police missions
across Iraq and are helping to train Iraqi forces to assume security
responsibilities.
This past summer, I went to Iraq. I met hundreds of American and
British troops. I saw people from Maine performing key roles in
rebuilding the country after the fall of Saddam Hussein's brutal
regime. In the city of Kirkuk, I ate lunch with five service members
from Maine--Specialist Gregory Norster of Phillips, Chief Warrant
Officer Brian Mucci of Shapleigh, Specialist Wayne Goodrich from
Oakland, Specialist Erin Maynard from Washburn, and Senior Airman Bill
Spreng from Ellsworth. The contributions of Mainers to bring freedom to
the people of Iraq make me very proud.
The courage and commitment of the American and other coalition troops
were strikingly clear during my visit. By night, many of the soldiers
conduct raids on pockets of resistance; by day, they renovate schools,
rebuild roads and utilities, and help Iraqis take their first steps
toward democracy. Despite the continuing danger, the harsh living
conditions, and the oppressive heat, morale among the soldiers and
Marines I met was high. Army Sergeant Michael Levesque of Winslow put
it best when he told me how proud he was to have ``helped to give the
Iraqi people a precious gift: their freedom.'' In Kirkuk, where I met
Michael, morale was particularly high because the Iraqis there are so
grateful. Everywhere we went in this city south of the Kurdish section,
local citizens waved and called out ``thank you, America!''
By contrast, conditions--both in July and today--remain hostile in
and around Baghdad. Our troops face near daily ambushes and sniper
attacks. The fighting goes on for many of our troops who must contend
with the threat of rocket-propelled grenades, improvised explosive
devices, and rogue gunmen.
Of all the places I have visited as a member of the Senate Armed
Services Committee, including Afghanistan, Bosnia, Kosovo, and Korea,
nowhere have I found the challenges more difficult and the dangers more
present than in Iraq. In the end, the commitment of the Iraqi people
will determine whether Iraq will prosper in peace and freedom, or
succumb to a violent minority bent on division, destruction, and
domination. The dedicated young men and women serving in uniform, from
Maine and from all over America, are giving the Iraqi people the
opportunity to seize what all humanity desires and deserves.
On this day set aside to honor sacrifice, we must also honor the
sacrifices made by the spouses, parents, children and other loved ones
of our troops. The families left behind must face the challenges of
daily living as they suffer from the separation and from the relentless
worry. The news of any casualty strikes a chilling chord in their
hearts. Every death, every injury, is a blow to them as they wait, and
hope, and pray.
In September, I met with family members of the deployed soldiers of
the 94th Military Police company. These families have had to endure two
extended deployments in three years: the 94th conducted a peacekeeping
rotation to Bosnia that ended in 2001; in 2002, the 94th was called to
arms again and is performing admirably in Iraq. The soldiers of the
94th are proud and professional and committed to getting the job done.
Their families bear the burden of absence and uncertainty. Among them
was Penny Mills, wife of Sergeant Curtis Mills of Shapleigh, ME.
Just one week later, soldiers of the 94th were ambushed in Iraq. Two
were severely wounded: Specialist Christopher Kotch of Brunswick and
Sergeant Curtis Mills. Soon after, I visited them at Walter Reed Army
Medical Center. There was Penny, standing by her husband. We had no
idea we would meet again--not so soon, not under those circumstances.
Sergeant Mills, with the support of his wife and family, is recovering
well. After reconstructive surgery and extensive physical therapy, he
will one day return to work as a letter carrier. Specialist Kotch,
after his recovery, will likely return to college and a life of
possibility and promise.
In times of peace and in times of trial, we rely on our young men and
women to step forward for our defense. The citizens of Maine have
answered the call. America's first casualty in the War on Terrorism was
Master SGT Evander Earl Andrews of Solon, ME, who lost his life in
Qatar on October 10, 2001. Today, in Litchfield, ME, a father grieves
for his daughter, Army Warrant Officer Sharon Swartworth, who
miraculously survived the attack on the Pentagon two years ago but who
did not survive an attack on a Black Hawk helicopter in Iraq last
Friday. These are but two of the soldiers who died not just in the
service of their country, but also in the service of mankind. They did
so on behalf of millions of people they did not know--innocent Iraqis,
Afghans, and Americans who died on 9-11, and all peace-loving people
everywhere.
Our service members and veterans--whether they served in World War I
or II, Korea, Vietnam, Haiti, Kosovo, Bosnia, Kuwait, or now in
Afghanistan or Iraq--share a common bond: their uniform is not that of
a conqueror, but of a liberator. We can never fully pay the debt we owe
those who put their lives on the line to advance the cause of freedom.
Nor can we repay the debt we owe those families and loved ones they
leave behind. The enormity of that debt was best summed up one-hundred
thirty-nine years ago in a President's letter to a mother who lost five
sons in the war to preserve this Nation. I will close with the words of
Abraham Lincoln:
I feel how weak and fruitless must be any words of mine
which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss
so overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering you the
consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic
they died to save.
I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of
your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of
the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours
to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.
Mr. ROCKEFELLER. Mr. President, today, I had hoped to be in Sutton,
WV to fully celebrate Veterans Day with West Virginia veterans and
their families. Since the Senate is in session, I must be in
Washington, but I do want to recognize some of our Nation's finest men
and women who have served to protect that which we hold most dear, our
very freedom.
Last weekend, I was in West Virginia and I had the chance to talk
with Army Sergeant Jared Welker of Putnam County. Sergeant Welker is a
tank gunner who saw considerable action in Iraq, and who has just
recently returned home. I had the privilege to spend a few hours with
this young soldier. Hearing about the war in Iraq from his point of
view, a young man serving in a tank division entering Baghdad, made me
very proud of the men and women serving in the military--where ever
they are stationed. Sergeant Welker's description of his days in Iraq
will stay with me. His courage and his commitment to duty are truly
inspiring.
And it is also a sobering reminder of the obligations that we in
Congress have to fully support our troops in the field, and at home,
and as veterans later in their lives.
On Veterans Day, we should take time to pay our respect to those who
put their lives on the line and sacrificed in our defense. We have a
duty to honor all veterans in both word and deed.
We honor them by remembering their courage, their loyalty, and their
love of country. My State has one of the strongest traditions of
military service, and I could not be more proud of that. When the call
has come to defend this Nation, West Virginians have answered in great
numbers. In a State as patriotic as our Mountain State, reminders of
our veterans, heroes and heroines, are everywhere. They stand as a
reminder of the battles fought defending the principles of democracy.
Understanding the sense of patriotism of the people of West Virginia
is what caused me to seek a seat on the Senate Committee on Veterans'
Affairs the day I arrived in the Senate 19 years ago. Joining the
committee was one of the best decisions I ever made.
These last few weeks in Congress have been extremely important ones
for our Nation=s veterans. One of the most important issues of concern
today
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is the President's budget request for the Department of Veterans
Affairs for fiscal year 2004. Everything provided by VA will be a
direct result of the proposed budget now before Congress. Regrettably,
the President's budget request for VA health care for fiscal year 2004
will barely cover the cost of inflation at our VA Medical Centers, but
there is still time to fix those misplaced priorities.
Full funding is needed for a health care system that is besieged with
responsibilities. I am fighting, along with a number of my Senate
colleagues, to get an additional $1.8 billion appropriated for VA
health care before Congress recesses this year.
In addition to our veterans who depend upon VA for their health care
and prescription drugs today, current law allows members of the
military, who serve during an armed conflict, to use VA upon their
return. This includes currently deployed Reservists and National
Guardsmen, who are such a big part of West Virginia's contribution to
our war effort. The system must be adequately funded for all these
veterans.
Another critical issue of concern continues to be long-term care for
veterans. As our veteran population grows older, VA must make sure that
it can meet the need for long-term care. A bill I introduced earlier
this year extending, for five years, the congressional mandate
requiring VA to provide long-term care for veterans through both
nursing homes and community-based options still has potential to be
enacted this year. This is extremely important legislation, and I will
continue to push until this become law. If I cannot convince my
colleagues to act this year, I will be right back next year fighting
for it until it is done.
I was thrilled to be in Clarksburg last month for the ground breaking
of our new State veterans' home, which will be built adjacent to the
Clarksburg VA Medical Center. I have worked closely with both State and
Federal officials on this project over the last several years, and I am
very proud of everyone who has been involved in making this much needed
nursing home a reality. It is time that West Virginia had a State
veterans' nursing home.
In closing, I would like to read a paragraph from a letter found in
the gear of a 20-year-old boy from Beckley serving during World War II.
I think it is appropriate on this Veterans Day.
Private First Class Walter Walker was killed in battle in 1944 and he
had written a letter to be delivered to his parents in case of his
death.
He wrote:
Frankly I think I will come back, but you never can tell
what little accident will happen. I am doing this for my
country and people I love. So that little children may grow
up to be free and not have to take orders from devils like
Hitler and Tojo. I will gladly give my life to keep you and
dad free as long as you may live.
Private Walker was a hero of WWII.
Sergeant Welker, and the more than 100,000 brave men and women
serving today, are the heroes of Iraq.
Today, we honor all our young men and women who have paid the
ultimate sacrifice for freedom, and all those who have served in our
military. We need to remember to stand proud when we see the American
flag waving high in the air, and nod our heads in respect when we pass
by a veterans' cemetery. We need to remember that behind each of these
symbols of America are the people who have made them so remarkable--our
Nation's veterans.
Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I rise to honor this day and the men and
women for whom it was established. On the eleventh hour of the eleventh
day of the eleventh month of 1918, the armistice was signed ending the
first modern global conflict.
World War I was an exceptionally bloody conflict that required
tremendous sacrifices. It was therefore appropriate for President
Wilson to establish Armistice Day as a time to recognize those who
served in that war.
Unfortunately, the hope for a new, more peaceful world after the
Great War was shattered as we found ourselves embroiled in a life or
death struggle against tyranny. Americans again rose to the challenge.
Over 405,000 American soldiers lost their lives and over 671,000 were
wounded. That's over three times the casualties of World War I. Still,
the bravery and sacrifice of our men and women in uniform showed the
world the extent to which the United States of America was prepared to
go to preserve liberty.
Then, after our soldiers and sailors were called upon again to fight
aggression in Korea, it became evident that it was necessary to set
aside a day to recognize all American veterans. To encourage Americans
to pay respects to all those who have served in America's Armed Forces,
President Eisenhower signed into law a proclamation in 1954 changing
the name of the November 11 holiday to Veterans Day.
Today, we thank all those who have risked life and limb in service to
their country, including those who served in Vietnam and the Persian
Gulf war, as well as Somalia, Bosnia, Kosovo, and other smaller
conflicts. It is particularly appropriate today to pay tribute to the
new generation of veterans who are serving their country so bravely in
the global war on terrorism.
Americans have never hesitated to answer the call of duty and this
generation is no exception. America continues to owe an immeasurable
debt of gratitude to the brave men and women who respond to the call of
duty. Following in the footsteps of those who served in the 20th
century, our men and women in uniform are living up to a heritage of
service, loyalty, honor, sacrifice, and patriotism passed down for
generations.
Members of the active duty military, National Guard, and Reserves
selflessly put their country first. They serve to protect the American
people, defend national security, preserve freedom and safeguard our
way of life.
This Veterans Day, let's remember the patriots who are putting their
lives on hold while they put their lives on the line. Their sacrifices
guarantee America's promise for generations to come. Hundreds of
thousands of Americans have paid the ultimate sacrifice while serving
in the Armed Forces. Their irreplaceable loss of life reminds us that
freedom isn't free.
It is important for younger generations to appreciate the service and
sacrifice made by those serving their country. Awareness and
appreciation for veterans has decreased in recent times as fewer
individuals and families in America have a personal connection with the
Armed Forces.
Now that family members, friends, neighbors, and other fellow
citizens are again putting themselves in harm's way in service to their
country, I hope all Americans will take the opportunity this Veterans
Day to remember and honor all veterans, to whom we owe our freedom.
Today I salute the patriotism, courage, and sacrifice of all American
veterans who have answered their country's call in times of need.
Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, as I was watching the sunrise this morning,
I thought of the men and women currently serving in Iraq and
Afghanistan, and our Nation's veterans of past wars.
Today, we must remember those who have sacrificed to defend the
freedoms and ideals all Americans enjoy. In our thoughts are not just
the proud Americans who are fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan today, nor
just the members of the ``Greatest Generation'' who fought in World War
II. We think about those who lost their lives or served in the extended
Cold War, the Korean War, Vietnam or who gave their lives in some of
the less-known engagements across the globe aimed at preserving our
country and preserving basic human rights throughout the world.
Of course, most in our minds right now are 130,000 men and women
serving in Iraq. Over 30,000 of these troops are reservists who left
their civilian jobs and families to serve in Iraq with pride and
determination. Whether Active-Duty soldiers or Reserves, every single
person in the military is there because they want to be there, and we
owe them a special kind of gratitude for their service.
Today we should not just think about our veterans, but also address
policies that will directly address their needs, whether they are still
in the service or after they have returned. We must come together as a
Senate to ensure that we honor that unspoken social contract with our
active troops, guaranteeing superb quality-of-life programs exist for
our active service members and their families and that they will never
become forgotten soldiers of history.
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Let's come behind our citizen soldiers of the Guard and Reserve to
ensure they and their families are as healthy as possible. And, above
all, let's make sure our veterans have a flourishing medical program to
ensure they receive the high-quality care they deserve.
On this time-honored day, we express our gratitude to our veterans,
we remember their courage and dedication, and we act to make up a small
part of the large debt we owe them.
Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, today I wish to pay my respects to my
fellow veterans. It is only through the leadership, dedication and
sacrifice of our men and women in uniform, that we are able to enjoy
the freedoms that being an American entails.
No matter what your views on the war on terror or the war in Iraq,
all Americans can unite behind our brave men and women in uniform.
These fine Americans have truly answered our Nation's highest calling
and we are better off for it. Today is a day to give thanks to these
heroes.
On Veterans Day, I like to share the story of one of my heroes during
my service, Mike Christian. I have shared his story before and it has
become familiar to many, yet it bears repeating. This year, as
Americans serve across the globe in important battles against error and
tyranny, Mike Christian's story takes on even more meaning. In the same
manner as service in Vietnam, a new generation of heroes is emerging in
Iraq.
In the early years of our imprisonment in Hanoi, the North Vietnamese
kept us in solitary confinement, or if we were fortunate, two or three
to a cell. In 1971, the North Vietnamese moved us from these conditions
of isolation into large cells with as many as 30 to 40 men to a room.
This was, as you can imagine, a wonderful chance. And was a direct
result of the efforts of millions of Americans, led by people like
Nancy and Ronald Reagan, on behalf of a few hundreds POWs, 20,000 miles
from home.
One of the men who moved into my cell was Mike Christian. Mike came
from a small town near Selma, AL. He didn't wear a pair of shoes until
he was 13 years old. At 17, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He later
earned a commission. He became a naval aviator, was shot down and
captured in 1967. Mike had a keen and deep appreciation for the
opportunities this county--and our military--provide for people who
want to work and want to succeed.
The uniforms we wore in prison consisted of a blue short-sleeved
shirt, trousers that looked like pajama trousers and rubber sandals
that were made out of automobile tires. I recommend them highly; one
pair lasted my entire stay.
As part of the change in treatment, the Vietnamese allowed some
prisoners to receive packages from home. In some of these packages were
handkerchiefs, scarves, and other items of clothing. Mike got himself a
piece of white cloth and a piece of red cloth and fashioned himself a
bamboo needle. Over a period of a couple, of months, he sewed the
American flag on the inside of his shirt.
Every afternoon, before we had a bowl of soup, we would hang Mike's
shirt on the wall or our cell, and say the Pledge of Allegiance. I know
that saying the Pledge of Allegiance may not seem the most important or
meaningful part of our day now, but I can assure you that--for those
men in the stark prison cell--it was indeed the most important and
meaningful event of our day.
Our day, the Vietnamese searched our cell and discovered Mike's shirt
with the flag sewn inside, and removed it. That evening they returned,
opened the door of the cell, called for Mike Christian to come out,
closed the door of the cell, and for the benefit of all of us, beat
Mike Christian severely for the next couple of hours.
Then they opened the door of the cell and threw him back inside. He
was not in good shape. We tried to comfort and take care of him as well
as we could. The cell in which we lived had a concrete slab in the
middle on which we slept. Four naked light bulbs in each corner of the
room.
After things quieted down, I went to lie down to go to sleep. As I
did, I happened to look in the corner of the room. Sitting there
beneath that dim light bulb, with a piece of white cloth, a piece of
red cloth, another shirt and his bamboo needle, was my friend, Mike
Christian. Sitting there, with his eyes almost shut from his beating,
making another American Flag. He was not making the flag because it
made Mike Christian feel better. He was making the flag because he knew
how important it was for us to be able to pledge our allegiance to our
flag and country.
Duty, Honor, Country. We must never forget the millions of Americans
who, with their courage, with their sacrifice, and with their lives,
made those words live for all of us.
This year, as we pause to remember those men and women currently
serving their country, as well as our family and friends who serve
before us, we need to remember the sacrifices of people like Mike
Christian who made this Nation what it is today.
Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, America today has the most powerful, most
capable and best-equipped military in the history of the world. But
none of this would be possible without the brave men and women who
volunteer to serve in the Armed Forces, who accept any challenge and
face any danger to protect their country on battlefields around the
world. Each of them is a volunteer--no conscription, no draft. They
have a genuine desire to serve, and they do so with great sacrifice
with great honor, great courage, great commitment, and often with great
sacrifice.
Time and again, our Nation has called its sons and daughters to put
themselves in harm's way, and many bear the scars of battle forever.
Despite the rhetoric of praise that we hear again and again, too often
when their service ends, these veterans are forgotten, except on
Veterans Day. We have consistently underfunded the veterans' health
care system. The Veterans' Administration is now preparing plans to
close veterans' hospitals in New England and across the Nation. They
oppose allowing disabled veterans to receive disability benefits if
they also receive military retirement compensation.
As troops continue to serve in Iraq, we need to make sure we can take
care of them and their families, especially when they return home. We
have a solemn responsibility to those who are willing to sacrifice so
much. We do them a grave injustice when they return home to be cast
aside. Today, tens of thousands of newly discharged veterans are
unemployed. National Guard and Reserve soldiers face lower wages and
possible job loss while they are deployed. The Uniformed Services
Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, USERRA, protects soldiers from
employment discrimination, but service members can have difficulty
enforcing their rights.
We can't have any more situations like the one at Fort Stewart, where
Guard and Reserve troops were housed in deplorable accommodations, with
unacceptable access to health care and needed services to heal their
injuries. Such neglect is no way for a grateful Nation to honor its
armed services. We can and we must do better.
For generations, we have honored our fallen veterans on November 11
each year. The Armistice Agreement that ended the First World War was
signed on this historic day in 1918--the eleventh hour of the eleventh
day of the eleventh month that year. Many of those we honor today have
fallen in battle in Iraq.
Last week, I attended the funeral service of a Massachusetts soldier
who gave his life in combat there and was laid to rest in Arlington
National Cemetery. It was a beautiful fall day and the military
ceremony was conducted with solemn dignity and utmost reverence. It was
a very moving moment to be there with his family and friends and
veterans of his unit. His parents have lost a son, and the Nation has
lost a hero. As the bugler played taps, and the sounds of the rifle
volleys from a final salute faded across the Arlington hills, it was
moving to see that the veterans there had also lost a brother, although
none of them knew the fallen soldier personally. The brave paratrooper
who had tried to carry his dying comrade to safety during the attack
was also there. His silent presence spoke volumes about the valor and
dedication that our service members give to our Nation every day, and
have given us throughout our history ever
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since that day at Concord Bridge, when the embattled farmers stood and
fired the shot heard 'round the world.
On Veterans Day 2003, we thank our veterans. We remember those who
have given the last full measure of devotion to our country, and we
affirm our support for all who now wear the uniforms of our armed
forces. We give thanks to all who have served America so well in years
gone by, and to all the brave men and women serving now in the ongoing
war against terrorism. And we pledge, in words that too often pass and
are soon forgotten, to do a better job of meeting our responsibility to
them every day, not just on each November 11. May God give us the
strength to make each day a Veterans Day.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Who yields time?
The Senator from Washington.
Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to add five
additional minutes on each side.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, on this Veterans Day, I want to share a
few ideas about the meaning this day holds for my family and for
thousands of families throughout Washington State.
Today is a day to honor the sacrifices that generations of Americans
have made to defend our country and to support freedom throughout the
world. It is a day to reflect on the courage and bravery of our
soldiers. And it is made even more special as we think of all our
military personnel who are deployed in Iraq, Afghanistan and other
hostile environments. But it is much more than that.
It is a day to make sure that we are living up to the promise we make
to all veterans--a promise that President Lincoln described as:
. . . to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and
for his widow and his orphan.
Today throughout Washington State, people are coming together to
honor our veterans at places such as the Tahoma National Cemetery, the
Washington Veterans Home, and in communities large and small.
Washington State is home to almost 700,000 veterans, and every day I am
honored to represent them in the United States Senate.
Growing up, I saw firsthand the many ways that military service can
affect both veterans and their families.
My father served in World War II. He was among the first soldiers to
land on Okinawa. He came home as a disabled veteran and was awarded the
Purple Heart. I should note that, like many soldiers of his generation,
my father did not talk about his experiences during the war. In fact,
we only really learned about them by reading his journals after he
passed away.
And I think that experience offers a larger lesson about veterans in
general. They are reluctant to call attention to their service, and
they are reluctant to ask for help. That's why we have to publicly
recognize their sacrifices and contributions. It is up to use to make
sure that they get the recognition they have earned--and not just on
Veterans Day. It is one of the reasons why a few years ago I worked to
ensure that all veterans could get the military funeral honors. My
father had them, and they meant a great deal to our family.
I was proud to introduce legislation and to work with the VA and
veterans service organizations to ensure that any family that requests
military funeral honors can get them.
In addition to my own family experiences, when I was a senior in
college at Washington State University, I spent a semester interning at
the Seattle Veterans Hospital, helping to treat young soldiers
returning from Vietnam. They were my age at the time. I will never
forget the sound of the door locking behind me after walking on to the
hospital's psychiatric ward to spend the day with these heroes. While
these combat veterans were my age, they had endured experiences most of
us could never imagine.
Today, as I see an administration that is considering closing
veterans hospitals in Washington State--even as today's veterans have
to wait 6 months just to see a doctor, and as the war in Iraq adds to
the number of veterans who will need medical care--I get upset, and I
fight with everything I have. Our veterans have already fought for our
country, they should not have to fight to get the healthcare or
benefits they were promised, so we've got to fight on their behalf.
Today we must ask, Are we keeping our promise to America's veterans?
Here are some facts to help us answer that question.
Fact: Right now, 80,000 veterans are waiting 6 months or longer for
an appointment at VA hospitals.
Fact: For the past 2 years, an average of 14,000 veterans have been
waiting more than 15 months for their ``expedited'' disability claims
to be finalized.
Fact: Veterans could face new fees and higher co-payments--just to
get the healthcare they are already entitled to.
Fact: Each year in Congress there is a debate over how much money we
should spend on veterans' healthcare. Too often, our veterans lose out
to other budget priorities.
Fact: Disabled veterans pay a high penalty through what is called the
``Disabled Veterans Tax.'' They must give up a dollar of their pension
for every dollar of disability pay they receive.
Fact: The VA is looking to ``reconfigure'' veterans' health care and
is now studying the closure of two VA facilities in Washington State.
And finally, the war in Iraq--and the tremendous toll it is taking on
our soliders--is increasing the number of veterans who will need
medical care for years down the road.
Those are all facts. To me, they show that we are coming up short in
keeping our promise to America's veterans. So what can we do about it?
Simply put, we need to make veterans services a priority once again.
No. 1, to cut down on the long waits that veterans endure; to help
expedite claims; and to avoid higher fees and co-payments. We need to
increase funding for veterans services.
To end the annual appropriations game, we should make VA healthcare
funding mandatory. That is why I support the Veterans' Health Care
Funding Guarantee Act. It would make veterans' healthcare an automatic
priority for our Nation.
The VFW, AMVETS, the Disabled American Veterans and many other
veterans groups strongly support this bill.
We must also make sure that the Department of Veterans Affairs does
not close critical medical facilities at a time when more are seeking
VA healthcare.
In addition, we must end the disabled veterans tax and ensure that
veterans are not penalized just because they receive disability pay.
I am proud to be a cosponsor of a plan that would authorize full
payment of both retirement pay and disability compensation to half a
million disabled military retirees. And unlike other proposals, our
plan would take effect immediately, instead of over 10 years.
And finally, we have to do right by today's veterans and by
tomorrow's veterans. The brave men and women who are serving in Iraq
and Afghanistan today will need our help when they return home. How we
treat them will send a signal to a generation of young people who may
be considering military service.
We have to keep our promise today and tomorrow.
So while we are currently coming up short, I am going to keep pushing
for the solutions that will truly serve our veterans. America's
veterans have earned our respect, and they have earned the benefits
they were promised when they signed up. They should not have to fight
for the care and support they were promised.
On this day--and every day that I am given the honor of representing
them--I will stand up and fight for Washington's veterans and the
freedom and security they have given us through their sacrifices in war
and peace.
I hope we keep our promise.
Thank you, Mr. President, I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Who yields time?
Mr. PRYOR. Mr. President, how much time remains on the Democratic
side?
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Sixteen minutes 30 seconds.
Mr. PRYOR. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to speak for 10
minutes.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
Mr. PRYOR. Mr. President, I rise today in honor of Veterans Day, our
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national day of remembrance established to solemnly honor the
sacrifices of American men and women who have served in military
actions in behalf of our country.
We recognize these men and women for preserving our liberty, freedoms
and democratic way of life. For me, as a first-year Senator
representing the men and women of Arkansas, this is an especially
noteworthy Veterans Day. Since September 11th, numerous Arkansans have
engaged in our battle against terrorism, serving in Afghanistan and
other points abroad. This fall, over 3,000 men and women of Arkansas,
members of our 39th Infantry Brigade of the Arkansas National Guard,
are preparing to travel to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Every day my prayers include the brave men and women of Arkansas who
serve, and have served, in our armed forces. I pray that every single
one of our brave Americans in uniform will return safely home to the
loving arms of their families.
Sadly, many of our veterans have not returned safely home. Many of
our veterans have paid the ultimate price, sacrificing their lives on
the altar of freedom. We must never forget their sacrifices. We must
never forget the cost of freedom paid by our veterans.
As he gazed on the battlefield at Gettysburg in 1863, Abraham Lincoln
uttered, ``The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have
consecrated it, above our poor power to add or detract. The world will
little note, nor long remember, what we say here, but it can never
forget what they did here.''
I am in a similar situation today, unable to articulate anything
which even comes close to capturing the debt of gratitude each and
every one of us owes our veterans. No words can capture my gratitude,
or the gratitude of Arkansas, towards our veterans.
Yet, as I mentioned, Veterans Day is a day of remembrance. This is a
day to honor and remember those who have served in our armed service.
Last week, I had the distinct pleasure and unique opportunity to talk
with Johnie ``Chick'' Matthews. Chick, at 102 years old, is Arkansas's
oldest living veteran.
Mr. Johnie ``Chick'' Matthews, a resident of Greenbrier, Arkansas,
first answered the call to duty to serve this country in 1917. That was
86 years ago.
He was given the nickname Chick because he enlisted into the United
States Army when he was only 16 years old. He was the youngest at his
training facility at Camp Pike, AR.
His mother was a widow with mouths to feed and he realized that he
needed to help shoulder the financial responsibilities of caring for
his mother and brothers.
He went to Little Rock to enlist in the Army. He lied about his age.
The recruiter said: We are not sure we believe you, so go home and get
your mother to sign this document. When he went back home, he was
scared to take it to his mother because he was afraid she would not
sign the age waiver so he went to a neighbor woman and said: Mother
hurt her hand and she cannot sign this. Can you sign this on her
behalf? She did, and he was enlisted in the U.S. Army.
At the age of 16, he was the youngest soldier in his unit, probably
one of the youngest in the Army. But when it was all said and done, as
he ended his military career, Chick had completed 46 years of military
service spanning World War I through Vietnam. That is truly remarkable.
In addition, he served in four branches--the Army, Navy, Coast Guard,
and the Merchant Marine.
When I talked to Chick, I was entertained and captivated by his
stories, but most of all I was impressed by his sense of duty. In fact,
when I asked him if he would recommend military service to others, he
said: If they would let me in, I would be there tomorrow morning to
sign up.
In addition to Chick Matthews, I recognize another veteran who is a
bit younger, but no less committed, to his country and to the State of
Arkansas. Randy Massanelli is a native Arkansan who dutifully served in
the U.S. Army for 15 years. While in the Army, he rose to the rank of
major and served in Desert Storm where he was awarded the Bronze Star.
Now he serves as my State director in Little Rock. I am grateful for
the knowledge, experience, and perspective he brings to the office as I
work to do what is best, not just for veterans and the troops around
the country and around the world, but also for the people of Arkansas.
I have known Randy since we were both at the University of Arkansas
as undergraduates. I thank him today. He has shown me time and time
again what true devotion to his country really is. I am lucky to have
him on my team and I am proud to call him a friend. I honor him today
as a great veteran.
Last, I want to recognize another veteran on my staff, Wayne Palmer,
who also served in Desert Storm. Wayne is a tremendous asset to my
office. I thank him for his service to our country.
Arkansans throughout the years have followed Chick's, Wayne's, and
Randy's lead. I am proud to boast about my State's tradition of
military service. As veterans continue to risk life and limb for us, I
will work as hard as I can to make sure they are taken care of before,
during, and after their mission is completed.
In the coming days, we will vote on the Defense authorization
conference report. As a conferee, I was proud to work on this
legislation, which includes a 3.7 percent across-the-board military pay
increase, expands TRICARE coverage for the Guard and Reserve personnel
and their families, and provides benefits and programs to improve the
overall quality of the pay for our service men and women.
This legislation also authorizes disabled military retirees to
collect their retirement pay and disability compensation, otherwise
known as concurrent receipt. This measure would benefit millions of
Americans who have served our country for years but have been
prohibited from receiving both retirement compensation and VA
disability benefits.
Correcting this inequity for our veterans is long overdue--in fact,
110 years overdue. I made a promise to take care of our service men and
women who put their lives on the line for our country. This provision
indicates Congress's intention to finally honor its word.
I am also looking forward to debating the VA/HUD appropriations bill
where I have an understanding we will be looking to add $1.3 billion to
veterans health care. We cannot discount the importance of this
funding, especially as more veterans come home from Afghanistan and
Iraq and the global world on terrorism. We must ensure that the
Veterans' Administration has the resources it needs to look after those
men and women who look after us.
Mostly, this Veterans Day fills me with a sense of security and pride
because of my faith in the ability and skills of our men and women in
uniform. This faith nourishes my hope for a peaceful future for my
children and the children of Arkansas.
I know our men and women in uniform are the most capable fighting
force on Earth. I know these individuals will willingly endure personal
sacrifice and danger to defend our democratic values, just as our
veterans of yesteryear endured personal sacrifice and danger to provide
us the freedom and democracy we enjoy today. I know our Armed Forces
will be victorious in their mission.
On this Veterans Day, I extend my gratitude and the gratitude of
every Arkansan to our veterans and their families.
I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Who yields time?
The Senator from Texas.
Mrs. HUTCHISON. Mr. President, I ask what the allocation of time is.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. There are 7 minutes 54 seconds on the
Democratic side and 5 minutes on the Republican side.
Mrs. HUTCHISON. Mr. President, let me ask the Democratic Senator in
the Chamber if that is enough time for them to finish. We need to be
through at 12:15.
Mr. LAUTENBERG. Mr. President, I thank the Senator from Texas for
making the inquiry. The fact is I need about 10 minutes and the Senator
from North Dakota needs 5 minutes. If that could be accommodated on an
equal exchange basis, I suggest we ask unanimous consent to do so.
Mrs. HUTCHISON. How much more would that extend the time on the other
side? How much more time would
[[Page S14399]]
that give us if we equally divided that, our 5 minutes plus the extra?
The PRESIDING OFFICER. That would be an extra 8 minutes on the
Democratic side and a total of 28 minutes.
Mr. SPECTER. Mr. President, if this is a unanimous consent request
for more time, I would like to accommodate my colleagues. I have come
to the floor with the expectation to speak at noon, which it is now, on
the Syria Accountability Act, and actually I had some time on veterans
as well. I have other commitments, such as, to go to the White House
for the bill signing ceremony with the President.
So I am glad to accommodate my colleagues, but if it is going to run
for 28 more minutes, that is going to preclude my speaking on the Syria
Accountability Act.
Mrs. HUTCHISON. Mr. President, I do not think we need 28 minutes. I
was going to ask for 5 minutes for the Senator from Alabama, which we
have left on our side. I think if you wanted----
Mr. LAUTENBERG. Fifteen.
Mrs. HUTCHISON. Fifteen?
Mr. LAUTENBERG. Right. I appreciate the fact the Senator from
Pennsylvania has other obligations, but this is Veterans Day. I want to
talk about veterans. I think we have that particular obligation since
we are here today and we are not in our home States, able to visit
veterans, visit cemeteries, and talk to people about veterans.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection to the request?
Mr. SPECTER. Mr. President, reserving----
Mrs. HUTCHISON. Mr. President, if I could ask a unanimous consent
request and see if this is what people want: that there be 15 minutes
divided on the Democratic side as they wish and 5 minutes to the
Senator from Alabama, for a total of 20 minutes from now. Is that an
acceptable unanimous consent request to all on the floor?
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
Without objection, it is so ordered.
Mr. LAUTENBERG. Mr. President, I thank the Senator from Texas.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from New Jersey.
Mr. LAUTENBERG. Mr. President, I ask that I be reminded at the 9-
minute mark, if I have gotten that far, please, that I have 1 minute
remaining.
I was in Newark yesterday, at our cathedral there, attending the
funeral of SGT Joel Perez. Sergeant Perez had been deployed to Iraq as
part of the Army's 2nd Battalion, 5th Field Artillery Regiment. He died
on November 2 when the Chinook helicopter he was in was shot down. An
article appeared in the New York Times on Sunday, and it listed the 16
soldiers, including Sergeant Perez, the 16 young people who perished on
behalf of our country, our interests, our liberty.
The names of those who died along with Joel Perez when that Chinook
helicopter was shot down are: Daniel A. Bader, Ernest G. Bucklew,
Steven D. Conover, Anthony D. D'Agostino, Paul F. Fisher, Darius T.
Jennings, Karina S. Lau, Keelan L. Moss, Brian H. Penisten, Ross A.
Pennanen, Brian D. Slavenas, Bruce A. Smith, Frances M. Vega, Paul
Anthony Velazquez, and Joe N. Wilson.
We salute their bravery and their courage and their sacrifice.
Sergeant Perez was on that helicopter because he had been granted
leave to come home to celebrate his third wedding anniversary. And now
he has come home, in a flag-draped casket. Yesterday was his third
anniversary and his funeral. He was 25 years old. He leaves behind his
wife Milagros, an infant daughter Jaileen, his mother Luisa and father
Edwin, and three brothers, Elvin, Michael, and Leo.
As I said at the funeral yesterday, it is a sobering moment when you
see the reality of a life that has passed so quickly. All you have to
do is look at the date of his birth--1978--and the date of his death--
2003--they are much too close together.
Sergeant Perez is the ninth New Jersey resident killed in Iraq. The
other eight are: Army SP Simeon Hunte, who was 23 years old, of Newark;
Army 2LT Richard Torres, who was 25 years old, of Passaic; Army SFC
Gladimir Philippe, who was 37 years old, of Roselle; Army SP Kyle A.
Griffin, who was 20, of Emerson; Army SP Narson B. Sullivan, who was
21, of North Brunswick; Army SP Gil Mercado, who was 25, of Paterson,
my home town; Army SSG Terry W. Hemingway, who was 39, of Willingboro;
and Army SP Michael Edward Curtin, who was 23, of Howell.
I feel a special kinship to these young people because they were from
my State. I also feel a special kinship because I am a veteran. I
enlisted when I was 18 years old, right out of high school. I served in
Europe during World War II.
Today is Veterans Day. It has been nearly 50 years since President
Eisenhower signed a bill into law making November 11 Veterans Day.
The history of Veterans Day goes back even further, to 1918, when an
armistice between the Allied and Central Powers brought World War I to
an end at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.
On November 11, 1920, the British interred an unidentified British
soldier in Westminster Abbey to commemorate the Armistice. The French
interred an unidentified French soldier under the Arc de Triomphe in
Paris.
In 1921, an American soldier's remains were disinterred in France and
sent on the transatlantic voyage to Washington, D.C., where they lay in
state in the Capitol Rotunda for three days. Then, at 11:00 a.m. on
November 11, the remains of this Unknown Soldier were buried at
Arlington National Cemetery beneath a marble block which reads, ``Here
rests in honored glory an American soldier known but to God.''
Since the founding of our country, nearly 50 million men and women
have answered the call of duty. There are about 25 million veterans
alive today.
Right now, we have 130,000 troops in Iraq, another 10,000 in Kuwait,
and 10,000 in Afghanistan. Other Americans are serving in South Korea,
in Bosnia and Kosovo, and in every other corner of the globe.
We owe our veterans and the brave young men and women who currently
serve in our military more than we can calculate. It is very tough
duty. I know that from personal experience. That is why I deeply regret
that the Senate is in session today. I do not ever recall the Senate
being in session on Veterans Day before. Frankly, I think it is
disrespectful to veterans across America and to the veterans in this
body for the Senate to be in session today.
Why are we doing it? Why are we here? Well, we are told that we have
a full agenda and that we have very few days left to get our work
done--work that was supposed to be done six weeks ago. But how are we
going to spend the precious few days before we hope to adjourn? We are
going to take 30 hours of that time to debate a handful of highly
controversial judges whose nominations Democrats object to.
I feel compelled to put this chart up on the floor for everyone to
see because it is kind of a scorecard that shows the Clinton years and
how many nominees were confirmed in those years and the dozens of
nominees who were blocked by the Republicans. Then we can see how many
of President Bush's nominees have been confirmed and how many have been
blocked by Democrats.
Democrats are objecting to a total of four nominees who have neither
the experience nor the temperament to be confirmed to lifetime
positions in the federal judiciary. Four nominees have been blocked, 2
percent of the total. And we are being told that we cannot afford the
time today to be at home with our veterans or go to the cemeteries or
go to the veterans hospitals so that we can pay our respects to those
who have served or are serving this country. We cannot be with our
veterans today because we have to spend 30 hours starting tomorrow to
talk about four nominees.
So, in all candor, I have to say that I am upset by our being here.
It is not the question of another day's work--we can do the work--but
that the majority could not find time to permit Senators to be in their
States with their constituents, especially veterans, with the families
who have lost loved ones in Iraq or Afghanistan or Beirut or Vietnam or
Korea or so many other places.
When I look at the reason why we are here today, it rings hollow, as
far as I am concerned. I regret that we are here. This is the day we
should meet with veterans groups. This is the day when we remember the
sacrifice that so many have made on our behalf. This is the day we
ought to be thinking about how we respond to our need for
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additional troops in Iraq. This is the day we ought to think about what
it is our brave young service men and women should come home to when
they have fulfilled their duty: adequate health care and jobs and
opportunity.
What kind of a message do we send to our veterans and to those who
currently serve in our military? What kind of message do we send to the
young men and women we are trying to recruit? Today is a solemn day
deliberately set aside to pay tribute to our veterans, and the Senate
is in session because we have to spend a day and a half starting
tomorrow talking about four judges.
I want the veterans across the country and the young men and women
currently in harm's way to know they are appreciated, to know that some
of the misery they are going through now is understood. How do you do
that? Ideally, you do that by taking the time necessary to go and greet
them personally. You do it by making sure veterans' benefits are
adequate. You do it by making sure the medical care will be there, and
the educational opportunities. That is the appropriate way to show our
veterans that we appreciate them. We are not going to show it by
working here today when, in fact, the veterans back home would like to
see us back home.
Be that as it may, we are stuck here today. So I want to take this
opportunity to say in the most heartfelt way possible that I appreciate
our veterans. And I salute the brave young men and women who currently
serve, especially those who serve in the Reserves and the National
Guard. I appreciate the enormous, enormous sacrifice that many of them
are making now that we are asking them to serve a year or more at a
time, taking them away from their families, their communities, and
their jobs. Today reminds us of just how much we have to be thankful
for.
Mr. President, I yield the remainder of the time we have to our
friend from North Dakota.
Mr. DORGAN. The Senator from Texas just inquired whether the Senator
from Alabama might go next. I understand I have 5 minutes remaining; is
that correct?
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Six and a half minutes.
Mr. DORGAN. I would be happy to have the Senator from Alabama finish
his remarks which are 5 minutes. I will take 5 minutes, and then we
will finish.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Alabama.
Mr. SESSIONS. I thank the Senator from North Dakota and appreciate
his courtesy. I don't think veterans are going to be unhappy we are
here working today. They might have been happy to see the scene
yesterday when we should have been able to make progress on a number of
things, and we had the assistant Democratic leader speaking 8 hours
plus and reading from a book about cactus and rabbits. They might be
unhappy about that.
We have soldiers in the field this very day at risk, carrying out the
policy of this Senate, this Congress, that we passed by over a three-
fourths vote. We ought to be here talking about our country and doing
some of the country's business.
In fact, I was in Walter Reed Hospital this morning. I had the honor
to meet with the service men and women who have been injured, some
fairly seriously, in the service of their country.
I met with Sergeant Larry Gill who grew up in Mobile, AL, went to
Murphy High School where my daughter went. I knew his father,
Lieutenant James Gill, in the Mobile police department, a great
officer. Larry Gill had a severe injury to his lower leg. He has been
there over a month now. It is getting better. He was so optimistic. It
was so wonderful to see his wife Leah who is a school teacher at Murphy
High School, and his two children, Sean and Ryan, and be able to talk
with them and see the positive attitude he had, the commitment to
serving his country. It was so inspiring. Larry Gill in 1983 was a
young Marine serving in Beirut, Lebanon when that embassy was attacked,
guarding the embassy as a marine, as he was often called upon to do. He
was knocked unconscious and had to be dug out from the rubble of the
attack. He was a victim of terrorism in 1983. Now he comes back as part
of our war on terrorism and is injured again.
As he said, he thought he ought to start collecting baseball cards
rather than Purple Hearts. That just is an example of his spirit.
At the time he was injured, he was part of a National Guard unit from
Alabama, the 1165th MP company. SPC Chris Harris and SGT Richard Barns
and SPC4 Jose Garcia were injured.
I see Senator Lautenberg here.
SPC4 Garcia, from New Jersey, was assigned to the unit. He was
injured, and he refused to go home; said, no, he wanted to stay with
his unit, as did Specialist Harris. Both had flesh wounds that could
have caused them to be removed from the theater. They said, no, they
wanted to stay with their troops. That is the kind of character and
courage we have out there today. It is a pleasure to see them.
I also visited PFC Chris Busby from Valley Head, AL, a town of 600.
He was injured in Baghdad. He was in an uparmored Humvee. That is
important because we have been trying to make sure every uparmored
Humvee possible is there because it is much more resistant to attack
than regular Humvees. His foot was out the door as he was speaking and
a mortar round hit. He said had he not been in an uparmored Humvee, he
may well have been far more seriously injured, if not killed. His arm
and leg which were outside the door were both severely injured.
Asking how he happened to join, he said: Well, it was after September
11. I thought I ought to serve my country.
He is 20 years old. His father was there. His father served 7 years
as an MP. His brother is in Germany. He is also an MP. That is the kind
of great, rock-solid Americans who preserve, protect, and defend our
country on a daily basis. I am so proud of them. They serve us so well.
Just a little over a week ago I had the burden of calling Mrs. Roxy
Bell. Her son, Aubrey Bell, 33, a sergeant with the 214th MP Company,
National Guard Company from the Alabama National Guard, was killed in a
firefight through an improvised explosive device in Baghdad at the Al
Bayra police station where he was working. Sergeant Bell was part of
the 214th MP company from Baldwin County, AL. I had the pleasure to
visit with them when I was in Iraq in August. I had supper with them. I
talked to them. They talked about patrolling the streets of Baghdad
with the Iraqi police who had been brought on, which is exactly what we
need to do to stabilize that country, bring on more Iraqi police. They
were so positive, had such extraordinarily good morale. I was
exceedingly proud of them. It was most painful to have to call and talk
to his mother at the loss of her fine son who lost his life serving his
country.
All of us need to remember that. We have sent those young men and
women out. They are serving at our direction. They are placing their
lives on the line for us on a daily basis.
We ask God's blessing and protection be with each one of them and
that we are given the wisdom to help guide them in the application of
their abilities and their lives in an effective way.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from North Dakota.
Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, how much time remains?
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Six and a half minutes.
Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, in April of this year I was in Italy. I
had stopped at an American military cemetery about 15, 20 minutes
outside of Florence. On a beautiful morning, the sun was shining on the
graves of 5,000 American soldiers who left their homes, left their
families, and answered the call to serve their country and gave their
lives during the Second World War. Their final resting place is now a
cemetery, a beautifully kept military cemetery maintained by the
Battlefield Monuments Commission of our country south of Florence.
I was thinking of that prose that says: When the night is full of
knives and the lightning is seen and the drums are heard, the patriots
are always there, ready to fight and ready to die, if necessary, to
defend their country. Those patriots have given the ultimate sacrifice
all across the world in defense of freedom here.
I was thinking this morning of a telephone call last week. I called a
German hospital in which Brandon Olson was resting. He had just been
wounded in Iraq. I called him in the hospital and I called his mother.
Brandon Olson's mother called him on Thursday. On
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Friday he had his foot amputated. She called him prior to surgery. When
I talked to her, she told me her son was under heavy medication. She
could tell when she called him that he was in pain and his voice was
weak.
This mother told her son, lying in the German hospital: You don't
have to talk. I just want to hear you breathe.
It is a mother, concerned about her son, who left this small town of
Hazen, ND to answer the call of his country. That is Brandon Olson. But
it was also Brandon Ericson and Jason Frey, young men and women, in
this case three North Dakotans, who lost their lives fighting in Iraq.
Finally, I believe, after some long period, this country is reaching
out to its veterans and finally understanding its requirement, its
obligation to say thank you--thank you for your sacrifice and thank you
for honoring our country.
This morning in the newspaper in our largest city, Fargo, ND, they
pointed out that:
The planeload of civilian passengers in a metropolitan airport
terminal a couple of weeks back who stood and cheered in unison when
asked by United Airlines to give up their seats on an overbooked flight
and take a later flight so that soldiers headed home on 14-day leaves
from Iraq could get there a few hours earlier. Every soldier got a seat
on that airplane.
They all got on that flight because other passengers gave up their
seats. That is what is happening in this country today as we face
danger, difficulty, and challenges as a nation in Iraq and Afghanistan,
and danger from terrorists around the world. Our country is saying to
those who wear our uniform: Thank you. We owe you a great debt, one
which we may never be able to repay, but we recognize your sacrifice
and commitment to our country.
As I looked at those gravesites south of Florence, Italy, in that
beautiful cemetery on that April morning, I thought of John McCrae's
wonderful poem ``In Flanders Fields.'' He wrote:
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short day ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
It reminds us again--especially today, on Veterans Day--all across
America that the liberty we enjoy, the freedom we take for granted was
paid for by the blood of patriots, and every American family has been
touched by those patriots who have given the ultimate sacrifice. Every
American community can and should recognize today those who live up the
block or down the block or on the farm, who went all across this world
and have fought valiantly for America's freedom, and have come home to
live quietly among neighbors, never talking much about their service to
our country.
But that service is what has made this the wonderful country it is.
There is no place like it on Earth. There is no place quite as free as
the United States of America, and that freedom has not been achieved
without great sacrifice by young men and women. When America sends its
sons and daughters to war, when America asks its sons and daughters to
fight, then we must resolve to do everything we can to make that a
successful fight on behalf of America's freedom.
Today, we honor wonderful veterans who have served this country for
many decades.
I yield the floor.
Mr. SPECTER. Mr. President, today, Veterans Day, we honor America's
veterans. It is to serve as 85 years of recognition after armistice was
declared on November 11, at 11 a.m., in 1918. We pay tribute to our
veterans today, but I suggest to my colleagues and fellow Americans we
ought to pay more tribute to veterans every day.
The first veteran I knew was my father, Harry Specter, who was a
veteran of World War I. My father had come to the United States as an
immigrant, at the age of 18, in 1911. The Czar in control of Russia at
the time wanted to send my father, among many others, to Siberia. My
father chose instead to come to America. He literally walked across
Europe, barely a ruble in his pocket, and traveled at the bottom of the
boat to the United States to make a new life for himself. He did not
know at that time that he had a round-trip ticket to France, not to
Paris and the Folies Bergeres with the dancing girls, but to the
Argonne Forest where he was wounded in action.
My father carried shrapnel in his legs until the day he died. The
U.S. Government promised the veterans of World War I a $500 bonus and,
as has been the case so frequently with the U.S. Government, the
promise was broken. The veterans then mounted a march on Washington in
1932 to seek redress, exercising their constitutional right to petition
their Government, and also in petitioning their Government, to have the
Government fulfill the promise the Government had made to pay the
veterans a $500 bonus.
Today, when there is a demonstration in Washington, the red carpet is
rolled out. On that day, in 1932, the cavalry was rolled out with drawn
sabers, led by MAJ George C. Patton. In command was the Chief of Staff
of the Army, Douglas MacArthur. There is a famous picture of General
MacArthur, with his aide de camp, MAJ Dwight Eisenhower. On that day,
veterans were killed. It is one of the blackest days in American
history.
That was the way the U.S. Government responded to the pleas of the
World War I veterans who were asking only for what they had been
promised--their $500 bonus. In a sense, in a metaphor, I have been on
my way to Washington ever since to get my father's bonus. I have not
gotten it yet, so I am still here and running for reelection.
When we honor the veterans today, we ought to make note of the fact
that the medical services that are available to veterans are,
realistically viewed, insufficient. We are about to take up, in the
course of the next several days, the appropriations bill for veterans.
We are endeavoring to get an additional $1.3 billion to help on
veterans medical benefits.
I have the honor to chair the Veterans Affairs Committee in the
Senate. Later today, I will join President Bush at the White House for
a bill-signing ceremony, where we are creating additional veteran
cemeteries across America, so that the families of veterans can be near
their departed loved ones and can pay tribute without traveling long
distances.
At the present time, families of veterans who live in southeastern
Pennsylvania have to travel about 100 miles to Indiantown Gap, to
Annville, to pay respects, where veterans are now interred, buried,
from the southeastern part of the State. After a great deal of effort,
going back about 6 years, I am paying tribute to former Congressman
John Fox, who worked with me initially to introduce the legislation
that was finally passed by both Houses of Congress. Jim Gerlach is the
current sponsor in the House of Representatives--Congressman Gerlach--
and there will be a bill-signing ceremony today where President Bush
will affix a signature and we will at least have done that for
veterans.
There are many issues pending to take care of America's veterans. We
are currently in the Veterans Affairs Committee reviewing a proposal by
the Department of Veterans Affairs to alter the hospital accommodations
across America. We are determined to see to it that any changes which
are made benefit rather than hurt veterans.
Mr. President, on the subject of the proposals which are now pending,
I am very much concerned, as chairman of the committee, for the entire
Nation about what will happen to many of the facilities which are under
review--facilities in New York, facilities in California, facilities
across the country, and one very hotly contested facility in Waco, TX.
I am concerned about what will happen in Pittsburgh where there are
proposals to close Highland Drive. If that is done, there has to be an
adequate accommodation so that the facilities are at least equal to, if
not better than what is currently available. There are concerns about
Butler, PA, Erie, PA, and across my State. A new facility is due in
Lebanon.
So on this day when we are concerned about veterans, when we pay
honor to them, we ought to remember
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that the veterans have created the climate of freedom. When we pause
and remember the veterans on Armistice Day of 1918, remember that it is
a continuum of veterans who have served America since the Revolutionary
War. My brother served in World War II, as did my brother-in-law in the
South Pacific. I was in the service during the Korean war and served
stateside.
We now have many aging veterans from World War II and the Korean war
who need more accommodations. We have veterans from Vietnam and the
gulf war and from Iraq. As we pay tribute to the veterans for what they
have done for America, America should reciprocate and see to it that
the needs of veterans are adequately responded to.
Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I wish to say a few words about Veterans
Day, the day we honor millions who have served in our Armed Forces. We
give thanks to those who risk their lives and, frankly, who are risking
their lives as we speak. They have done it and they are doing it now
out of love of country.
We also mourn those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our Nation.
As American casualties mount in Iraq, Veterans Day takes on a very
special meaning. Many in our country have lost loved ones in Iraq, and
every day we all pray for the safe return of our men and women in
uniform.
In my home State of California, we have lost 73 from California or
based in California. The burden is heavy for their relatives--mothers,
dads, children, friends. Yet we know they went over there, in many
cases, following their families in a rich military tradition and, in
some cases, because they wanted to stand up and be counted for their
country.
They have courage and dignity. It is our responsibility to only send
them into harm's way when we know what we are doing; to only send them
into harm's way when we have a plan; to only send them into harm's way
when we have an exit strategy, and these are issues we will continue to
work on because some of us, I am afraid, do not see that plan and do
not see that exit strategy.
I wish to say on a personal note that November 11 is also my
birthday. I say that because as a child, I was so proud I was born on
what was called Armistice Day because Armistice Day reflected a day of
peace, the end of a war, the end of the war to end all wars, which
World War I was known as. Unfortunately, it wasn't to be. There were
more wars. In 1954, Congress changed the name of Armistice Day to
Veterans Day to pay homage to all of our veterans.
I regret I am not able to spend today with veterans in my State. I
really had wanted to do that, but I do appreciate this opportunity to
pay tribute to them on the floor of the Senate.
One more point on veterans. Earlier today I introduced legislation to
help our future veterans by reimbursing States and localities that
continue to pay their government employees who are Guard and
reservists--such as policeman and firefighters--when they are called to
active duty. This legislation will go a long way to help the families
of these Guard men and women and reservists make ends meet.
In many cases, the local and State governments are paying their
salaries and are falling behind. It seems to me that is the least we
can do, is reimburse for those funds. I hope others will join me in
this legislation. By the way, many of our States and counties and
cities are already doing this, and their budgets are hurting.
This is a war that was, in fact, voted on here and executed by the
President. Therefore, it seems to me the least we can do is reimburse
local agencies who are putting out the funding.
Mr. BYRD. Mr. President, November 11, Veterans Day, is the day of
reverence for American veterans. It is the day of the year set aside to
honor the people who have defended our country, our way of life, and
our freedom. It is the day that allows us to pause to recognize their
patriotism, their love of country, their willingness to serve, and
their willingness to sacrifice.
Just last year, President Bush called Veterans Day the day that we
``show our gratitude to the veterans of the United States Armed
Forces''--a day when ``we honor veterans and we honor their families,
and we offer the thanks of a grateful Nation.''
The very origins of this day are both historic and symbolic. It began
at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month--that is, 11/11/11--
of 1918 when the allied powers signed a cease-fire agreement with the
central powers, thus bringing to an end the 4-year bloody nightmare
known as World War I.
The next year, the United States set aside November 11 as Armistice
Day to remember and honor the sacrifices that men and women made during
World War I.
In 1926, a congressional resolution officially named November 11
Armistice Day. Twelve years later, in 1938, Congress made Armistice Day
a national holiday.
In 1954, following World War II and the Korean war, Congress made
November 11 a day to honor veterans of all wars, and therefore changed
the name of this most important day to Veterans Day. President Dwight
D. Eisenhower, the President of the United States at the time, asked
Americans to use this day to ``remember the sacrifices of all those who
fought so valiantly on the seas, in the air, and on foreign shores, to
preserve our heritage of freedom.'' In the first Presidential
``Veterans Day Proclamation,'' President Eisenhower proclaimed:
It is my earnest hope that all veterans, their
organizations, and the entire citizenry will join hands to
insure proper and widespread observance of this day.
Just how important and symbolic this day had become to the American
people and, especially, our veterans, was demonstrated in the reaction
to the Uniform Holiday bill of 1968. This legislation was part of an
overall plan to make holidays part of a 3-day weekend, which would, in
turn, encourage travel, recreational and cultural activities, and
stimulate greater industrial and commercial activity. In so doing, this
legislation changed the observance of Veterans Day from November 11 to
the fourth Monday in October.
Seldom in all of my 51 years in Congress has Congress so misjudged
the feelings of the American people. American veterans in particular,
and Americans in general, demanded that the observance of Veterans Day
be restored as November 11. It was all right to monkey around with
Columbus Day, we learned, and even the birthday of the father of our
country. But we should have never touched November 11.
According to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, November 11 has a special
meaning to veterans of all wars and is a part of American history. Of
all the days in the year, the one day which has the most significance
to those citizens who made an extra sacrifice in the national interest
by their service in the Armed Forces is November 11.
Many States simply continued to celebrate November 11 as Veterans
Day.
Immediately, Members of Congress introduced legislation to
redesignate November 11 as Veterans Day. My former colleague in this
Chamber, Senator Robert Dole, who himself was a World War II veteran
and was destined to become a majority leader of the Senate and a
nominee of the Republican Party for Vice President and President,
proposed such legislation. He called November 11 a ``legal holiday that
provides a unique and fitting day of recognition for our American
veterans.'' It is the day, Senator Dole declared, when the Nation pays
``tribute and homage to the men and women who have given so much in
their quest for world peace and freedom.''
By 1975, 42 States, including my own State of West Virginia, had
returned to the practice of celebrating Veterans Day on November 11. In
that year, Congress approved legislation to return the annual
observance of Veterans Day to November 11. President Gerald R. Ford
signed the bill, stating:
It has become apparent that the commemoration of this day
on November 11 is a matter of historic and patriotic
significance to a great many of our citizens. It is a
practice deeply and firmly rooted in our customs and
traditions.
More recently, when legislative ideas were circulating through
Congress to bolster voter participation in Federal elections, at least
one proposal centered on designating Veterans Day as the national
election day. In response to that proposal, my office was flooded with
phone calls from veterans, saying: ``Please don't take away our special
day.''
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Mr. President, November 11 is their special day. It is for this
reason that during the years in which it was my privilege to serve as
the majority leader of the U.S. Senate, I was always determined that
this legislative body would not be in session on this most important
and symbolic date. I always wanted to make sure that my colleagues and
I had the opportunity to take part in the many ceremonies that take
place on this day in honor of the courage and the sacrifice of
America's veterans. I always wanted to make sure that this Chamber paid
proper homage to the men and women to whom we owe so much.
Writing about the thousands of soldiers who lost their lives during
the bloody battle at Antietam, Civil War historian, Bruce Catton,
pointed out that these men did not die for a few feet of a cornfield or
a rocky hill; they died that this country might be permitted to go on,
and that it might be permitted to fulfill the great hope of our
Founding Fathers.
So may it be said of most every person who has worn our Nation's
uniform. These people served and they sacrificed to permit this country
to go on to fulfill the great hope of our Founding Fathers. And it is
proper and it is right that we take one day a year to pay our most
profound respect to the men and the women who have worn our Nation's
uniform, and to thank them.
I thank them and we here in the Senate thank them on this day for
what they have given, for what they have sacrificed, and for their love
of country.
Mr. President, I yield the floor.
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