[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 89 (Wednesday, June 29, 2005)]
[House]
[Page H5368]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            APPRECIATION OF NATION'S VOLUNTEER HONOR GUARDS

  (Mr. BOOZMAN asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my deep appreciation for 
our Nation's volunteer honor guards. As the Greatest Generation 
continues to age, a number of our World War II heroes are passing on. 
Volunteer honor guards serve as ceremonial guards, flag detail, rifle 
squads, and pallbearer escorts at many of these funerals.
  The men of these honor guards receive no pay for their service. They 
purchase their own uniforms and provide their own transportation. Many 
of them are over age 70.
  I would like to take a moment to personally thank the 23 men of the 
Bella Vista Honor Guard who served at my brother's funeral earlier this 
year. The men of the Bella Vista Honor Guard serve at more than 100 
funerals in Benton and Washington counties in the Third District of 
Arkansas. Sometimes they serve at two funerals a day.
  They are so representative of the thousands who volunteer nationwide 
to ensure that our veterans are given the honor and remembrance they 
deserve.
  Mr. Speaker, I know I speak on behalf of our entire Nation when I 
express my gratitude for the dedicated men of America's volunteer honor 
guards.

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