[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 104 (Wednesday, July 27, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1647]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 COMMEMORATING THE EFFORTS OF PASCAL MORETTI IN HONORING OUR WORLD WAR 
                              II VETERANS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. WILLIAM D. DELAHUNT

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 27, 2005

  Mr. DELAHUNT. Mr. Speaker, as we prepare next month to commemorate 
the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II, Americans will again 
turn their thoughts to those who sacrificed on the battlefield and the 
home front.
  The Greatest Generation of soldiers came from cities and towns all 
across our Nation. They were ordinary men called to a great crusade. 
Their mission was nothing short of making the world safe for democracy.
  Six decades ago, the soldiers of the 95th Infantry Division slogged 
their way through German-occupied France--one field, one bridge, one 
city at a time. They went to Europe, not as part of a conquering army, 
but as liberators to restore freedom to the land of Lafayette.
  Some of the men in the 95th Infantry Division never made it home. 
They rest in fields once made infamous by the fury of war, and now 
where peace holds its gentle sway. These men made the ultimate 
sacrifice for a noble idea. A simple, immutable truth as old as our 
Republic: That all people, everywhere, have the right to life and 
liberty.
  We're reminded of their sacrifice whenever we see children in a 
cemetery planting small flags near the headstones of our fallen 
soldiers; or in the expression of an aging veteran summoning all his 
strength to stand at respectful attention during the national anthem.
  They offered the last full measure of devotion to ensure our liberty 
for posterity.
  However, we are not the only ones who are grateful for their 
sacrifice. All around the globe, monuments and plaques recount the acts 
of bravery that secured for an oppressed people freedom from their Nazi 
occupiers. No where is this more evident--and appreciated--than in the 
villages of France.
  These commemorations have taken on a new significance this year as 
the world celebrates the 60th Anniversary of V-E Day.
  In one particular French town, Metzervisse, the Police Chief, Pascal 
Moretti, has made it his personal mission to remind succeeding 
generations about the critical role of American troops in liberating 
the community. When asked why he was interested in organizing these 
celebrations, ``Our children must understand the price of liberty,'' 
Moretti said. ``The blood they shed. What they did for us is wonderful. 
They gave us the most beautiful gift in the world: freedom.''
  Toward this end, he created the Moselle River 1944 Organization to 
honor the Allied soldiers who liberated the cities and towns that 
border the East Bank of the Moselle River. Last month, more than 50 
veterans returned to Metzervisse. This time instead of being met with a 
hail of gunfire or the thundering sounds of artillery, they were 
greeted with bands and a chorus of thank-you.
  For his work, Chief Moretti has been recognized with the Freedom 
Award at the America's Freedom Festival in Provo, Utah. Yet perhaps his 
greatest reward comes from the satisfaction of knowing that a new 
generation of French children is learning about a time when it seemed 
that liberty in their country was about to be eradicated by the Nazi 
regime, and the world responded to beat back the darkness.
  American school children learn that in the 18th century it was 
Lafayette and the French who helped secure the establishment of the 
United States. It seems altogether fitting that French school children 
in the 21st century should learn that the Smiths and Messinas of the 
United States returned the favor during World War II.
  I commend Chief Moretti for his efforts to honor our veterans of 
World War II and doing his part to sustain the historic bonds of 
friendship between our two nations.
  With preparations underway to commemorate the 60th anniversary of V-E 
and V-J Day next month at the National World War II Memorial, this 
admirer of the Greatest Generation, reminds us all that we should take 
a moment and thank those who served--and are now serving. And we must 
never forget those 400,000 Americans who gave their lives during the 
War so that the lamp of liberty would continue to shine.

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