[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 169 (Monday, November 16, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2769]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING CORNING, NEW YORK, VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS, POST #524

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                         HON. ERIC J. J. MASSA

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, November 16, 2009

  Mr. MASSA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Corning, New 
York, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #524, who this Wednesday will be 
celebrating Veteran's Day with a ceremony in my district. This year, 
however, will be a special year, as they will be rededicating the POW-
MIA monument in that town which I call home. Though obligations 
throughout my district will keep me from being able to attend this 
ceremony with my home post, my thoughts will be with them and with the 
millions of veterans across our Nation who served our country in times 
of war, and who even today work to protect our freedoms.
  In 1998, Doug Herbert, a marine and Vietnam veteran had a plan. He 
wanted to build a POW-MIA monument to memorialize and honor the POW's 
and MIA personnel of all of our Nation's wars. Doug and his wife Jackie 
designed and drew plans for the monument, and they worked for over a 
year to raise the funds necessary to see Doug's dream become a reality. 
Indeed, this original monument was even built in their backyard, and on 
November 11, 1999, the Herbert's and their comrades at Post #524 
dedicated this unique memorial to our Nation's heroes.
  This year, on November 11, 2009, a new monument will be dedicated in 
the place where the original once stood. Doug Herbert's dream is now 
complete and a new monument of granite and will stand in place forever. 
For Doug, this was a labor of love as well as a personal journey, but 
for his comrades and his community, it is an incredible gift. The 
commitment and hard work of Doug and Jackie Herbert, as well as that of 
their fellow volunteers, make the rededication of this monument a 
poignant moment in the proud history of Post #524. And it is through 
this selfless commitment that the memory of those who served our 
Nation--the POW's, those missing in action, and those who made the 
ultimate sacrifice--will be enshrined forever in the hearts of all 
Americans.

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