[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 201 (Thursday, December 20, 2018)]
[House]
[Page H10340]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA IN PROSPECT PARK
(Ms. WILD asked and was given permission to address the House for 1
minute.)
Ms. WILD. Mr. Speaker, this past weekend, volunteers across the
country honored fallen servicemembers on National Wreaths Across
America Day. While the focal point of this national day of remembrance
is the laying of wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery, ceremonies
also took place at local cemeteries across the country.
I had the honor of participating in a wreath-laying ceremony in
Prospect Park, Pennsylvania, a tiny borough no more than a mile square,
in Delaware County. On a raw and rainy Saturday, 2 weeks before
Christmas, nearly 50 community members turned out to lay wreaths upon
veterans' graves at an historic cemetery atop Prospect Hill. Among
those honored was George Wood, a soldier who lost his life at
Gettysburg on July 7, 1863.
As we stood in the drizzle, listening to ``Taps,'' I thought about
the many ways in which people served their communities. Obviously,
those who serve in our Armed Forces commit to providing the ultimate
service. But on that hilltop last weekend, there were so many others
willing to spend the time to step up with their neighbors, honor the
sacrifice of others, and bring a community together.
I want to recognize Joyce Foresman-Capuzzi, the nurse who learned
about the Wreaths Across America program and brought her neighbors
together to have it in Prospect Park. I want to recognize Reverend
Chris Hensley Terrell, the pastor of Prospect Hill Baptist Church,
which hosted the event.
But the event wouldn't have been the success that it was without the
participation of other volunteers, the members of the Prospect Park
Borough Council, the Prospect Park Volunteer Fire Department, and local
veterans and their families. There was also great support from the
local elementary school principal and students at Prospect Park
Elementary, many of whom helped lay wreaths.
I want to thank all these community members for allowing me to
participate in their ceremony, and I thank them for their service.
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