[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 97 (Friday, June 20, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1042]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING TUCKER JAMESON'S ESSAY AT THE SOUTHERN MARYLAND STAND DOWN 
                             VETERANS EVENT

                                  _____
                                 

                          HON. STENY H. HOYER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 20, 2014

  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I submit the following essay which was 
delivered by Mr. Tucker Jameson at the Southern Maryland Veterans Stand 
Down event on May 16, 2014. Tucker is a freshman at St. Mary's Ryken 
High School and is a member of the Stars and Stripes club. He lives in 
Mechanicsville, MD. He wrote:

       Stand down. In military terminology, this term is used when 
     commanders wish to halt operational progress. It could be due 
     to mission completion, safety, or the elimination of a 
     threat. In some situations, a stand down is an opportunity to 
     ensure that the unit is in the most complete, efficient, and 
     advantageous position that it can be before it proceeds with 
     its mission. Sometimes the momentum of our operational tempo 
     and our desire to complete the mission blinds us to one of 
     the oldest of tactical blunders--haste. We take this 
     opportunity today to stop and remember the tradition that we 
     hope to carry on, and that tradition lives in our veterans.
       A cornerstone of our development at St. Mary's Ryken high 
     school is our service to others. As a part of the Stars, 
     Stripes, and Service club I have had the opportunity and the 
     honor to focus my service on veterans. From assisting with 
     the Veteran's Day parade, visiting Charlotte Hall Veteran's 
     Home, and raising money for the Wounded Warrior Benefit, we 
     have been able to put our words into action in showing our 
     brave servicemen and women how much we care. Recently, we 
     coordinated an item drive for homeless veterans in the D.C. 
     area through Pathways to Housing. The response from our 
     community was incredible and it fills me with pride to hear 
     that our first donations went to a post 9/11 veteran who, 
     along with her 3 children, are no longer living in their car 
     and can look forward to a bright future. Although we are 
     making progress, we still have a long way to go.
       Our efforts exemplify how important it is, not only to 
     ensure veterans are appreciated, but that they know they are 
     loved and needed. As our armed forces fight the enemy 
     overseas, we must fight against the intangible enemy of 
     disconnection and emotional disengagement, against 
     unemployment and homelessness. This Veteran's Stand Down is a 
     time to stop and remember that it is our duty and obligation 
     to live the principles our servicemen and women sacrificed so 
     much to preserve.

  Nobody who fights for America overseas ought to have to fight just as 
hard to find a job, to keep a roof over their head, or to access 
quality health care once he or she returns home. I was pleased Tucker 
was able to participate in the event and remind us all of the moral 
obligation we have to ensure our veterans have the support and 
resources they need to transition to civilian life after serving our 
nation so courageously. I thank him and all who participated from 
throughout Southern Maryland for coming together for the Stand Down 
event.

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