[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 91 (Friday, June 15, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1048]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


    HONORING MEMBERS OF THE MAINE DEPARTMENT OF THE AMERICAN LEGION 
                               AUXILIARY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MICHAEL H. MICHAUD

                                of maine

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 15, 2012

  Mr. MICHAUD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the members of 
the Maine Department of the American Legion Auxiliary, in honor of 
their tremendous work on behalf of the ``Operation: Military Kids'' 
program.
  Our men and women in uniform put themselves at risk every day to 
defend our freedom and security. It is our duty as citizens to honor 
their sacrifices and the sacrifices made by their families. In this 
spirit, Operation: Military Kids was established to support children 
and youth who have family members deployed around the world. 945 
community members representing over 43 national, state, and local 
organizations came together in 2011 to remind our military children 
that they are not alone.
  I am pleased to congratulate the members of the Maine Auxiliary, and 
the rest of the Maine American Legion family, on securing 24 kayaks and 
supporting equipment for the Operation: Military Kids program. This was 
a remarkable effort by the community. The kayaks, valued at over 
$24,000 all together, will be put to use in Maine's western mountains 
at the Maine Army National Guard Youth Camp in Bog Brook, ME.
  Today, we celebrate the tremendous success of the American Legion's 
fundraising efforts and the incalculable joy those kayaks will bring to 
Maine's military families.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating the members of the 
American Legion Department of Maine Auxiliary for their dedication to 
our military families.

                          ____________________