[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 66 (Wednesday, May 12, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E825]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING TIMOTHY M. VETERE OF MORGANTOWN, WEST VIRGINIA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ALAN B. MOLLOHAN

                            of west virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 12, 2004

  Mr. MOLLOHAN. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to congratulate Mr. Timothy 
M. Vetere of Morgantown, West Virginia for his award-winning entry in 
the Veterans of Foreign Wars' Voice of Democracy contest. His script is 
entitled ``My Commitment to America's Future.'' I submit for the Record 
the text of his entry and commend the VFW for making the Voice of 
Democracy scholarship program available to students across our Nation.

                   My Commitment to America's Future

       I was walking along the sidewalk downtown one day and I 
     passed by a large storefront window and caught a quick 
     glimpse of myself. I have to admit that the first thing I 
     thought was, ``Hey, I look pretty good.'' I even stopped to 
     take a second look. And as I stared into my gorgeous baby-
     blue eyes, I began to realize that my reflection was 
     superimposed on an American flag, which was hanging in the 
     display case.
       As I looked closer, I realized that the edges were frayed 
     and its colors faded and I thought, hmmm, I wonder how it got 
     that worn? What stories would it have to tell if it could 
     talk?
       I began to envision it in battle somewhere or draping the 
     coffin of a Vietnam War veteran, or, it looked pretty old, 
     maybe even a World War II veteran. What if someone's 
     grandfather had passed it down to his son and that man passed 
     it to his son who was now honoring the memory of his grandpa 
     by hanging that flag in his storefront window. Or did this 
     flag fly outside of an elementary school where children of 
     the SOs lined up in the courtyard to pledge their allegiance 
     to the flag and sing ``My Country 'Tis of Thee.''
       My eyes drifted to the 50 stars and I began to realize how 
     hard each state must have fought to gain a spot on this 
     symbol of American Unity.
       As a person, I'm one among millions, but as an American I 
     am an integral part of the greatest nation on earth. The 
     stripes of the flag represent the purity in the American 
     heart and sacrifices made by men just like me. I look back on 
     the giants of history and feel my own insignificance. I am 
     humbled knowing my own inability to measure up to their 
     achievements.
       I may never command American men in battle on foreign soil 
     and, I pray to God I never command them on American soil. I 
     many never land on the moon. I may never discover a cure for 
     cancer. My name may never be used to inspire school-children 
     to greater heights.
       I may do nothing more than mean it when I say the pledge, 
     sing the words of the National Anthem at a ball game, or feel 
     the country's collective sadness when a soldier's flag-draped 
     coffin is shown on the evening news.
       But when I say the pledge maybe one other of my classmates 
     may see my sincerity and share in it as well. When I sing the 
     anthem at a ball game, those around me may hear the words 
     clearly and be inspired to believe in the power behind the 
     lyrics.
       I may never become a giant in American history, but if I 
     can in some small way influence others to feel the love I 
     feel for America . . . if I can live my life as an example of 
     heartfelt patriotism . . .
       If I can raise my children with strong American values, 
     then I will have made America stronger. When you are the one 
     looking at your own reflection in a store window, or in a 
     mirror, who will look back at you? Will you be able to say, 
     ``Yes, I am an American citizen.''
       We are all united under the American flag and its symbolic 
     colors. We can be separate individuals or we can work 
     together to make America stronger, one citizen at a time.

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