[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 118 (Friday, July 31, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2106]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


      TRIBUTE TO AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY UNIT 278 OF OSAGE, IOWA

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                            HON. TOM LATHAM

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 30, 2009

  Mr. LATHAM. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the American 
Legion Auxiliary Unit 278 of Osage, Iowa. The Unit facilitated the 
Veterans Inspiring Patriotism program as a part of the Joe Foss 
Institute, and I am honored to submit into the Congressional Record the 
following commentary from the program in Osage.
  ``Osage American Legion Post 278 Presents program at Sacred Heart 
School:
  Betty McCarthy of Osage American Legion Auxiliary Unit 278 was the 
facilitator of the Joe Foss Institute's program `Veterans Inspiring 
Patriotism' for Sacred Heart students grades K-6th. Joe Foss achieved 
international fame as America's top Marine fighter pilot in World War 
II with a record of more than 60 missions in the South Pacific and 
shooting down 26 Japanese Zeroes. His bravery in combat earned him the 
Congressional Medal of Honor.
  Joe's many lifetime achievements are told in his autobiography `A 
Proud American.'
  In 2001, he founded the Joe Foss Institute as a non-profit 
organization with its mission of promoting Patriotism, Public Service, 
Integrity and an Appreciation for America's Freedoms. The `Veterans 
Inspiring Patriotism' is designed for school children from grades K-12. 
Through this program, American Flags for the classroom and replicas of 
the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights are made 
available at no cost to be presented along with the program.
  An age appropriate video was part of the presentation which helped 
the students understand the freedoms established by the Constitution 
and the Bill of Rights. Following the video, John Ross, member of Osage 
Legion Post 278, told of his service in the military and what it means 
to be a patriot. This was followed by questions from the students.
  The presentation ended with John Ross presenting American Flags as 
well as the laminated copies of the Constitution and Bill of Rights to 
5 students, each of whom were wearing the uniforms of the 5 branches of 
the service. These uniforms were worn by veterans of World War II, 
Korea and Desert Storm.
  McCarthy told of the final tribute, the military rites at the 
graveside of a veteran, the presentation of the American Flag under 
which they served and then TAPS was played by a 6th grade student. The 
program ended with the singing of God Bless America!
  Osage American Legion Post 278 and Sacred Heart School are indebted 
to the Joe Foss Institute for making this program possible.''

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