[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 16 (Tuesday, February 10, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E154]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       HONORING FRENCH WORLD WAR II VETERAN OUTREACH AMBASSADORS

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                             HON. RON LEWIS

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 10, 2004

  Mr. LEWIS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor three 
French citizens who, in spite of prevailing politics, have graciously 
opened their communities and homes to visiting World War II veterans as 
part of a person-to-person outreach leading up to the 60th anniversary 
observance of the Normandy invasion.
  The 70th Infantry Division fought in the Alsace/Lorraine province of 
France for 86 consecutive days during World War II. The division 
successfully liberated 58 towns before culminating their combat by 
breaching the Siegfried Line at Saarbrucken, Germany. During the 
operation they suffered 835 killed in action, 2,713 wounded, and lost 
397 soldiers as prisoners of war. An additional 54 of their number were 
classified as missing in action.
  Since the war, veterans of the division have returned many times, 
establishing lasting friendships among the people they helped to 
liberate. In return, the people of France have erected solemn monuments 
to their liberators and routinely decorate the graves of Americans 
buried in nearby military cemeteries.
  As preparations commence to observe the 60th anniversary of the June 
6, 1944 invasion at Normandy, I would like to specifically recognize 
three individuals whose consistent hospitality is demonstrative of the 
goodwill that continues to be shared between many French citizens and 
the American veterans who fought for their liberation.
  Mr. Leon Dietsch, Mayor of Spicheren, has hosted numerous receptions 
during recent years to honor visiting Americans. Mr. Dietsch was 
particularly instrumental in establishing a memorial on Spicheren 
Heights, the site of one of the bloodiest battles in the history of the 
70th Infantry Division.
  I also wish to honor Mr. Edwin Neis, curator of the Museum of History 
and Military at Freyming-Merlebach, France. The museum maintains 
numerous displays depicting American operations during the battle to 
liberate the area in World War II. Mr. Neis has gone to great efforts 
to honor American soldiers and make all American visitors feel welcome 
when they visit.
  Finally, I would like to pay tribute to the family of Thomas Kirsch 
of Spicheren. The Kirsch family has welcomed American veterans into 
their homes as guests, treating visitors to home cooked meals and rich 
cultural activities. Their friendship to visiting Americans contributes 
greatly to the fostering of good French/American relations.
  Mr. Speaker, in these times of global insecurities, it is refreshing 
to observe that, in spite of political and cultural differences, the 
people of the United States and France can still warmly reach out and 
embrace each other in friendship and respect.

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