[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 67 (Monday, May 16, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2989-S2990]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      NORTH CAROLINA VETERANS PARK

 Mr. BURR. Mr. President, today I join with the citizens of 
North Carolina who have a long and proud history since the Nation's 
birth of paying special honor and respect to its sons and daughters who 
protect our country's freedoms. Americans from coast to coast enjoy 
their freedoms because of the service and sacrifices of our veterans. 
North Carolina is proud to be the home of Cherry Point Marine Corps Air 
Station, Charlotte Air National Guard, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, 
U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, Fort Bragg, Pope Army Air 
Field, Marine Corps Air Station New River, and Seymour Johnson Air 
Force Base. We are proud to be a state that one of the largest 
populations of veterans in the United States call home.
  North Carolina has a rich military history dating back to before the 
Revolutionary War. In a 1771 rebellion against the royal governor, 
North Carolina farmers called ``Regulators'' employed tactics at 
Alamance Battleground that were later adopted as a model for fighting 
the British. Troops from North Carolina played a significant role in 
many Civil War battles, including the Battle of Gettysburg, where ``Tar 
Heels'' were prominent in Pickett's Charge. Many of the 86,000 North 
Carolinians who served in World War I were assigned to the 30th 
Infantry Division, which distinguished itself in the Somme Offensive by 
breaking through the famed and supposedly impregnable ``Hindenburg 
Line,'' helping to hasten the end of the conflict. During World War II, 
the U.S. Marine Corps trained their first class of African Americans at 
Montford Point Base, near Camp Lejeune, and members of the North 
Carolina National Guard landed on the Normandy beaches. During the war 
in Southeast Asia soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division at Ft. Bragg 
deployed to participate in the Tet Offensive and remained in theater 
for 22 months. Airmen flying F-15E's from the 4th Fighter Wing out of 
Seymour Johnson Air Force Base were the first to lead nighttime strikes 
against Iraqi forces during Operation Desert Storm and helped bring the 
Persian Gulf war to a swift conclusion. Elements of the 2nd Marine 
Division from Camp Lejeune crossed into Iraq on the first day of the 
ground war in Operation Iraqi Freedom and later forged relationships 
with the Sunni tribes in Iraq's restive Anbar Province. Elite Green 
Berets from Fort Bragg have been operating throughout Afghanistan, 
expanding Village Stability Operations and seeking out terrorist 
leaders. And members of the Coast Guard's National Strike Force based 
in Elizabeth City responded to the devastating earthquakes in Haiti by 
conducting facility inspections around crippled Haitian ports to help 
resume the vital supply of aid to that poverty stricken nation.
  This Fourth of July will hold special significance for North 
Carolina. On that day in Fayetteville, NC home to Fort Bragg, where the 
renowned 82nd Airborne, Eighteenth Airborne Corps, U.S. Army's Special 
Operations Command, and Pope Army Airfield are located, there will be a 
dedication of the North Carolina Veterans Park. The purpose of the 
Veterans Park is to honor all North Carolina veterans and serve as a 
centerpiece for a compilation of historic objects and images and 
landscaped spaces that symbolize a Nation's unending gratitude, somber 
reflection, and ongoing education for generations to come. It will 
commemorate the achievement, service, dedication, and sacrifice of our 
Armed Forces.
  The park is adjacent to the Airborne and Special Operations Museum, 
which is a part of the U.S. Army Museum System, providing an 
exceptional educational experience and preserving the legacy of 
airborne and special operations forces from their early days in World 
War Two to the present operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and across the 
globe.
  The city of Fayetteville has directed that the design and 
construction of the North Carolina Veterans Park meet or exceed all the 
guidelines and expectations provided by a large representative segment 
of the veteran population, including members of a content committee who 
served in all five branches of the military services: Army, Navy, 
Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Air Force.
  The Park consists of seven water features and public art crafted by 
individuals from across the State. The hands of 100 veterans were cast 
to honor and represent every county in North Carolina and are displayed 
in this park's Wall of Oath. Soil from each of the State's 100 counties 
will be included in the construction of the columns in the park. The 
sculptures in the public plaza signify our veterans' commitment, 
courage, dedication, heroism,

[[Page S2990]]

sacrifices, service, and strength, and showcase the incredible talents 
of our State's artists.
  Please join me and the citizens of the great State of North Carolina 
in expressing our pride and gratitude to the veterans for their 
service, dedication, and sacrifice in protecting the freedoms of this 
country. And as we designate July 4, 2011, as ``North Carolina Veterans 
Park Day,'' please reflect on the words that tell the story of the 
North Carolina Veterans Park:

     From the soils of North Carolina
     You left your families and homes
     With purpose to serve your country.
     In service, you made sacrifices.

     You are our veterans.

     This is your place to reflect on and
     Share your experiences.
     To feel pride in your service,
     Bond with fellow veterans, and heal.
     Here, may you find support and inspiration
     To live your lives today.

     The people of North Carolina
     Honor your service and welcome you home.

                          ____________________