[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 197 (Tuesday, December 20, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2330]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


 RECOGNIZING THE WOMEN OF THE ALTAR AND ROSARY SOCIETY OF THE BASILICA 
OF ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL FOR THEIR SERVICE TO OUR TROOPS STATIONED 
                                 ABROAD

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARK S. CRITZ

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 20, 2011

  Mr. CRITZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the women of the Altar 
and Rosary Society of the Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel in 
Loretto, Pennsylvania for bringing comfort and solace to the members of 
our military stationed abroad during the holiday season over the last 
25 years. In the spirit of giving that defines this magical time of 
year, these selfless women provide assistance to the Support Our Troops 
military mail campaign in the lead up to Christmas. This campaign sends 
letters of support and gratitude to our troops overseas in an attempt 
to bridge the oceans and continents that separate them from their loved 
ones.
  Dolly Haird, Barb Bender, Maggie Biter, Mae Karabinos, Lucy Mock and 
the rest of the women of the of the Altar and Rosary Society at St. 
Michael the Archangel gather thousands of Christmas cards from 
individuals, families, schools and churches starting in October and 
send them to Fort Bragg in December, where they are sorted and sent to 
military bases overseas. This year alone, these women gathered over 
21,000 holiday greetings. Their ability to motivate so many members of 
the various communities of southwestern Pennsylvania to express their 
support for our troops stationed abroad is a testament to the strength 
and infectiousness of their altruism.
  The women of the Altar and Rosary society have received a number of 
awards for their service. They have also enlisted a number of local 
veterans' organizations in their efforts, illustrating the great 
appreciation retired servicemen and women have for their efforts.
  The men and women of our armed forces who are stationed overseas 
spend the holidays away from their families so that we do not have to. 
No one appreciates this fact more than the women of the Altar and 
Rosary Society. The work that they do to support our troops clearly 
illustrates their abiding belief in the importance of sacrifice for the 
greater good.
  Mr. Speaker, as we prepare to begin the New Year, all of us should 
resolve to emulate the kindness and generosity these women have 
demonstrated in their efforts to bring smiles to the faces of our men 
and women in uniform. I want to congratulate them on 25 years of 
fruitful service.

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