[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 122 (Tuesday, September 27, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1952]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    SUPPORTING GOLD STAR MOTHERS DAY

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                               speech of

                        HON. MARILYN N. MUSGRAVE

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 21, 2005

  Mrs. MUSGRAVE. Mr. Speaker, as our Nation honors Gold Star Mothers, I 
rise today to honor a Gold Star mother from Colorado. JoAnn Rehn was 
born and raised in Milbank, South Dakota, on a dairy farm called 
Schmidt Dairy. She married her husband Charles Rehn about 40 years ago. 
They had 3 sons. The oldest, Joe, the middle Randall, and Jimmy the 
youngest.
  They moved to Colorado 33 years ago and settled in Longmont, where 
JoAnn lives today. For many years she has run a small business out of 
her home. She is a hardworking, industrious woman.
  The military heritage comes from a great, great grandfather on the 
father's side. He was a Swedish General. JoAnn's son Randy joined the 
military in the mid-80's. Jobs were scarce, he was a gung-ho guy, and 
there was lots of opportunity in the military.
  Sadly, Randy lost his life on April 3, 2003 in battle during 
Operation Iraqi Freedom. Despite the heartbreak of losing Randy, the 
family still believes he died for a noble cause. When asked why his 
mother should be honored, Randy's brother Joe said, ``She believed in 
what he was doing, fighting for our freedom, and despite the loss, she 
would make the sacrifice again. Our freedom is worth more than dollars. 
Having Randy gone is a negative for me and our family. But here is the 
positive part: freedom for America is what it is all about and God 
bless everyone else that feels the same way.''
  Randy's brother Joe also thinks it is really hard on his Mom to hear 
about more soldiers being killed on the news everyday. ``You have to 
continually re-live the loss over and over, and that makes moms and 
families hurt continually. Hopefully it ends soon and we can all move 
on,'' Joe said.
  Up to 1,000 people attended Randy's funeral in Longmont, paying the 
highest respect to him and his loved ones. It is my hope that Randy 
Rehn's family, especially his dear mother, feels the continued respect, 
admiration, and heartfelt sympathy from Members of Congress and 
Americans across this great nation.




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