[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 73 (Friday, May 21, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S6085]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          WALNUT, IOWA, SAYS THANK YOU TO WORLD WAR II VETERAN

 Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, the National World War II Memorial 
will be dedicated here in Washington on the Saturday before Memorial 
Day. It is a stunningly beautiful monument, located midway between the 
Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument. It is a long-overdue salute, 
an expression of profound gratitude, to the millions of Americans who 
served their country with courage, sacrifice, and selflessness in that 
war.
  I would like to share with my Senate colleagues a remarkable story 
about how the small community of Walnut, IA, has expressed its 
gratitude to a local veteran of the Second World War, Erwin Arndt.
  Mr. Arndt returned from the war to serve his community as an 
electrician, a volunteer firefighter, a city council member, and 
commander of the local AMVETS unit. Just about everybody in Walnut 
knows and respects Mr. Arndt. And there was much concern when he 
suffered a series of strokes over the past year.
  All too typically, a man in Mr. Arndt's condition would have no 
choice but to become a dependent in a nursing home. But friends and 
neighbors in Walnut came to his rescue in a truly remarkable and 
inspiring way. They joined hands to give him the wherewithal and 
assistance he needed to continue living independently in his apartment.
  A local restaurant helped to provide daily meals. Several citizens 
helped Mr. Arndt to keep his apartment clean and orderly, and take him 
to medical appointments. Still others organized shifts to keep him 
company in his apartment. Several especially kind citizens got together 
to purchase a motorized chair to help Mr. Arndt get around.
  It was truly a community effort, an act of collective kindness that I 
find truly inspiring. Mr. Arndt's daughter, Karen DeWinter, is 
overwhelmed with gratitude for what the people of Walnut did for her 
father. She told me that she was especially touched that on her 
father's birthday, the local AMVET auxiliary held a party at a cafe, 
where they brought cards from local elementary and preschool children.
  I want to acknowledge the people of Walnut, IA, for their 
extraordinary caring and kindness toward Erwin Arndt. Like millions of 
Americans of what Tom Brokaw has labeled ``the Greatest Generation,'' 
Mr. Arndt served our Nation with dedication in both war and peace.
  In their own special way, the people of Walnut have said thank you to 
this veteran and beloved member of the community. I would like to add 
my own gratitude, not just to Mr. Arndt but also to the good citizens 
of Walnut.




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