[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 167 (Tuesday, November 22, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1524]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   IN HONOR OF GEORGE RIVERA AND HIS WINNING SUBMISSION TO THE 2016 
 VETERANS DAY ESSAY CONTEST FROM NEW YORK'S 14TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSEPH CROWLEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 22, 2016

  Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the winner of 
the 2016 Veterans Day essay contest from New York's 14th Congressional 
District. George Rivera, a student from I.S. 61 in Corona, Queens 
submitted the winning essay on the topic, ``What Veterans Day Means To 
Me.'' George's essay reads as follows:

       Veteran's Day is a public holiday in the United States and 
     it is celebrated on November 11th. On this day, we honor 
     those who fought for our country and thank them for all they 
     have done. The U.S. Armed Forces risk their lives every day 
     for us. The Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, and 
     the Navy, all make up the United States Armed Forces. Taking 
     time out of our day to honor them is the least that we can do 
     compared to what they have done for us. This holiday is not 
     only for those who served in our military, but also for the 
     ones who are still serving today. Many people take for 
     granted what they do for us; not only this, but some people 
     even forget about them without realizing that without them, 
     we probably would not have the freedom that we have today. 
     These soldiers sacrifice so much for the people they don't 
     even know; they leave their families to fight for our 
     country. Many people enjoy their freedom without knowing that 
     soldiers are dying behind the lines for them to keep their 
     freedom and rights. All of the soldiers show love to our 
     Nation through this big sacrifice.
       There are U.S. soldiers located all around the world and I 
     know they miss their families but continue fighting for us. 
     My brother is currently serving in the U.S. Army. Right now 
     he is in Guam which is an island near Japan. I know he misses 
     us but he still strives to keep people from taking our 
     freedom. Throughout U.S. history, many soldiers have lost 
     their lives. In World War I, nearly 11 million military 
     soldiers died, and in World War II even more soldiers died to 
     save our world from tyranny; they wanted to keep the United 
     States safe.
       At least two soldiers, on average, die each day trying to 
     fight for our country. Imagine, that is between 600 and 800 
     soldiers that die every single year, leaving their families 
     with tears. It is really not that hard to honor these men and 
     women; all you can do is take a little time out of your day 
     to visit a Veteran's nursing home and thank all the veterans 
     there. Families worry every single day and hope that their 
     sister, brother, son, daughter, mother, or fathers are okay.
       On Veteran's Day, I honor my brother and all U.S. soldiers 
     that are serving. My brother has made me grow as a person, 
     many soldiers have to face struggles and sometimes they have 
     to kill just to keep the rest of us safe. Would you kill 
     someone to keep other people you don't know safe? Not 
     everyone can be a soldier so we should thank and love the 
     soldiers who keep us and our families safe. Without them, our 
     lives would be completely different and probably more 
     dangerous. Even the soldiers who are located in the United 
     States on the borders should earn the same respect as the 
     soldiers who fight in Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan. Every 
     soldier has the same duty and mindset to keep danger away 
     from the United States. That is what Veteran's Day means to 
     me and I think all the soldiers who have served in the past 
     and who are serving now deserve our respect and gratitude.

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