[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 138 (Tuesday, September 18, 2007)]
[House]
[Page H10496]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       IN SUPPORT OF ONSLOW VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL FOUNDATION

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Jones) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of 
an important effort to honor our Nation's Vietnam veterans.
  The Onslow County Vietnam Veterans Memorial Foundation in 
Jacksonville, North Carolina, is a nonprofit organization that was 
established by veterans and supporters in 1998. It was created to raise 
funds for the construction of a memorial to honor the brave men and 
women from all branches of the Armed Forces who served their country in 
Vietnam.
  More than 9 million veterans of the Armed Forces served on active 
duty from August 5, 1964 to May 7, 1975. Of the 3 million men and women 
who served in the Vietnam theater, 300,000 were wounded and more than 
58,000 were killed. The Veterans Administration estimates that nearly 
200 of the surviving Vietnam veterans die each and every day.
  Today, nearly 10 years after its formation, the goal of the Onslow 
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Foundation is on the verge of becoming a 
reality. On the grounds of Marine Corps base Camp Lejeune, land has 
been acquired adjacent to the Beirut memorial, and the first phase of 
construction is expected to begin later this year.
  The design of the memorial consists of a gazebo over a reflecting 
pool and fountain encircled by a glass wall inscribed with the names of 
all those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our Nation. Hidden within 
a dark gray granite base, lights will gently illuminate the engraved 
names on the curved glass memorial.
  Once completed, the memorial will enhance the Beirut memorial and any 
further memorials built within the Lejeune Memorial Garden. By creating 
an environment where relatives and the general public can come to 
remember and reflect on the men and women who gave their lives in 
Vietnam, this memorial will attract thousands of visitors to Onslow 
County each year.
  The Onslow Vietnam Veterans Memorial Foundation has raised and 
collected about $1.2 million toward the $5 million estimated cost of 
the memorial. In support of this worthy project, Mr. Kenji Horn and 
others who believe in this memorial have organized a fund-raising 
motorcycle run in Jacksonville, North Carolina, on Saturday, September 
22 of this year. It is open to everyone, and all types of motorcycles 
are welcome. Registrations have come in from Florida, Pennsylvania, 
South Carolina, Kentucky, and other States around the country; and more 
than 1,500 motorcycles are expected to participate.
  Mr. Speaker, in today's world, we all are aware of the debt of this 
Nation, and we understand the reality that most worthwhile projects 
must be funded by the private sector. So it is my hope, Mr. Speaker, 
that people from around this Nation will be interested in learning more 
about the Onslow Vietnam Veterans Memorial Foundation. Our Vietnam 
veterans have earned this honor.
  And I close, Mr. Speaker, by saying, please God, continue to bless 
our men and women in uniform, and please, God, continue to bless 
America.

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