[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 153 (Thursday, November 17, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2384]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SALUTING MEG McCRUMMEN AND THE STUDENT BODY OF ST. PAUL'S EPISCOPAL 
                       SCHOOL IN MOBILE, ALABAMA

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 17, 2005

  Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, last Friday, Americans from all walks of 
life--and from all corners of this great country--celebrated Veterans 
Day 2005.
  In our largest cities and our smallest towns alike, people paused, 
even if for just a moment, to say thank you to the men and women who 
over the years have helped to keep America free and strong.
  Some communities held parades; others held rallies or prayer vigils, 
especially for the men and women who are currently fighting for freedom 
in places like Iraq and Afghanistan.
  And true to what living in a free country is all about, there were 
also the occasional signs of protests from people in some parts of the 
country who oppose our current involvement in the global war on 
terrorism or, for that matter, oppose anything the majority of 
Americans support.
  At St. Paul's Episcopal School in Mobile, I had the opportunity to 
wear the hat of a proud parent as the student body held what has become 
a tradition, the annual St. Paul's school-wide assembly. This year's 
assembly focused on the meaning of patriotism, as well as a salute to 
our veterans, a number of whom were in attendance.
  Mr. Speaker, last Friday was a beautiful day in Mobile and everyone 
in attendance witnessed a wonderful tribute to our country, led 
entirely by the student body. The presentation by the music department 
set the tone early on with patriotic songs filling the air. It was 
truly a ``Kodak moment'' of pride in America.
  Naturally, Janee and I were especially proud when it came time for 
our own 4th grader to represent her class and tell about what 
patriotism means to her. While admitting some degree of prejudice, we 
were especially proud because Lee wrote her paper on her own, without 
either her mother or daddy's input. That seemed to make her teacher, 
Mr. Fricke, pleased as well.

  All of the students who took part in Friday's tribute did a great 
job. Every parent, grandparent, teacher and friend had to be full of 
pride as the words of more than a dozen young people were somehow woven 
together to make a beautiful quilt of patriotism and love of country.
  While everyone did a superb job, one young lady, Meg McCrummen, a St. 
Paul's junior who is secretary of the Student Government Association, 
perhaps captured the moment as well as any I have ever heard with her 
essay on patriotism. It is as follows:
  ``For the love of her country, Rosa Parks endangered her life for 
freedom; for the love of his country, George Washington turned down a 
real chance for great power because he knew America didn't need a king; 
for the love of his country, Jeremiah Denton endured torture in the 
Vietnam War, saying he was `honored to have had the opportunity to 
serve [his] country,' for the love of their country, people from all 
over America have come to the Gulf Coast to help clean up the mess left 
from hurricanes; for the love of their country, individuals support 
candidates whom they believe will lead America well.
  ``Patriotism goes far beyond wearing red, white and blue on the 
Fourth of July; it is a very personal response of gratitude to America. 
Loving America doesn't at all mean blindly agreeing with leaders. 
Patriots often speak out against the government they believe is wrong--
but it means acknowledging the tremendous gift of being American.
  ``Every person here is blessed by the fact that we are American. 
There is a contagious spirit of justice and goodwill that is evident 
throughout our history of dealing with people. Our country is the envy 
of many others, and we know freedoms that some foreigners only dream 
of.
  ``But where does that leave us, here at St. Paul's? When asked by his 
wife on Election Day who she should vote for, a soldier on active duty 
in Iraq replied, `You vote for whomever you want to . . . that's why 
I'm over here fighting.'
  ``Is there something worth fighting for? He believes so. I believe 
so.
  ``If not with guns, fight with service to our community. If not in 
Iraq, then fight injustice in Mobile. And so, I challenge you to pray 
for our leaders, love America actively, and be thankful for the men and 
women that saw fit to sacrifice their lives for her freedom.''
  Well said, Meg. Well said.

                          ____________________