[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 70 (Tuesday, May 18, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E893]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            IN RECOGNITION OF ARMED FORCES DAY, MAY 15, 2004

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TODD TIAHRT

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 18, 2004

  Mr. TIAHRT. Mr. Speaker, news articles record that the first Armed 
Forces Day in 1950 was celebrated by parades, open houses, receptions, 
and air shows. Here in Washington, DC, 10,000 troops of all branches of 
the military, cadets, and veterans marched pass the President and his 
party.
  In Berlin, more than a thousand U.S. soldiers paraded for the German 
citizens at Templehof Airfield.
  In New York City, an estimated 33,000 participants initiated Armed 
Forces Day ``under an air cover of 250 military planes of all types.'' 
In harbors across the country, famed mothballed ``battlewagons'' of 
World War II such as the Missouri, the New Jersey, the North Carolina, 
and the Iowa, were opened for the public.
  All across our land, the American people joined together to honor the 
Armed Forces.
  I hope that today all Americans will show the same respect and honor 
to the men and women that are serving and have served this nation in 
our military. As President Dwight D. Eisenhower said in 1953, ``It is 
fitting and proper that we devote one day each year to paying special 
tribute to those whose constancy and courage constitute one of the 
bulwarks guarding the freedom of this nation and the peace of the free 
world.''
  So let us honor the soldier, the sailor, the Airman, and the Marine 
who has put his or her life on the line to preserve freedom. It is 
their valor that gives renewed hope to Americans, the world and 
especially the citizens of Afghanistan and Iraq, that by perseverance 
and faith the ideals of freedom and justice will prevail.
  Their efforts will once again allow the world to believe that a life 
without terrorism is possible. Their actions will once again allow the 
world to understand our resolve to fight for freedom and peace.
  For more than 225 years, the men and women of America's Armed Forces 
have answered a nation's call to duty. As a Congress we affirm our 
resolve that the Armed Forces of the United States of America will 
remain the best in the world. The only place for America is first 
place.
  God Bless our Troops.

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