[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 84 (Thursday, May 26, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E806]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              THE WORST CASUALTY OF WAR IS TO BE FORGOTTEN

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 26, 2016

  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, on Monday, we celebrate Memorial Day 
and across the nation Americans will gather to pay tribute to our 
soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines who go overseas and do not 
return. They are from every state and territory. They are from farms, 
ranches and cities. They are of all races and both sexes. They are rich 
and poor, but generally they are young. They are patriots, defenders of 
freedom and volunteers to serve our great nation. We remember all of 
those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice so that we can live freely.
  It all started in 1868 when widows and girlfriends of soldiers killed 
in the War Between the States started putting flowers on the graves of 
Confederate and Union soldiers in Arlington Cemetery. And thus began 
what was initially called ``Dedication Day,'' and now Memorial Day.
  If we recall our history we must remember that during the War Between 
the States, there were 350,000 Confederates that were killed and 
455,000 Union soldiers that were killed, and regardless of the 
politics, they were all Americans--America's youth. And thus began what 
we now call Memorial Day, the last Monday in May.
  Memorial Day is a special event for people in Texas because, around 
125,000 Texans are serving our nation, today and every day. Texans have 
always been willing to volunteer to support our country, and that says 
a lot about our country.
  In another war, the war to end all wars, 5,000 Texans gave their 
lives. Boys who grew up on farms in Texas suddenly became men as they 
found themselves in the muddy, rainy, and bloody trenches an ocean 
away.
  Life in the trenches was hard. Men were constantly bombarded with 
artillery and machine gun fire. And they often faced the danger of 
going over the trenches and crossing no man's land, trying to repel the 
enemy forces attempting the same.
  In the midst of battle and in the face of the enemy, some men 
displayed tremendous gallantry and were awarded medals for their 
actions. However, the greatest casualty of war is to be forgotten. More 
soldiers died during World War I than in Korea, Vietnam, both Iraq Wars 
and Afghanistan combined. It is only fitting that they are honored in 
our nation's capital.
  After the long process of passing the creation of the WWI memorial 
and creating and funding the WWI commission through Congress, it was 
signed into law. Now, we have finally arrived at a design for the 
National WWI memorial at Pershing Park. The ``Weight of Sacrifice'' was 
chosen by the WWI commission. Soon, veterans of the war to end all wars 
will be properly honored in our nation's capital.
  This Memorial Day, we remember those who served and who did not make 
it back home. On Monday, I will be honoring our fallen heroes at the 
Houston National Cemetery, as Americans across the nation observe this 
day of remembrance. We remember their sacrifices and that of their 
families. To those who gave their all to serve our country, America is 
eternally grateful. We remember each and every one of them because the 
worst casualty of war is to be forgotten.
  And that is just the way it is.

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