[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 178 (Thursday, November 7, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6470-S6471]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              VETERANS DAY

  Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, I honor the service and sacrifices of our 
veterans and their families every day. As we approach the 101st 
Veterans Day on Monday, I want to take a moment to pay special tribute 
to the men and women who have worn a uniform in defense of our great 
Nation, its people, and our values.
  Progress usually is a good thing, but sometimes it comes with 
frightful consequences. The industrial revolution brought the 
development of weapons and tactics that enabled humankind to wage war 
and carnage upon itself at a level never before seen. By the end of 
World War I, there were approximately 40 million military and civilian 
casualties. H.G. Wells predicted it would be ``the war to end war.'' 
Tragically, that was not the case.
  The United States played an instrumental role in ending World War I, 
then known as the Great War. On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 
11th month in 1918, Germany signed an armistice with the Allies in a 
railroad car outside Compiegne, France. One hundred years ago, on 
November 11, 1919--exactly 1 year after the signing of the armistice 
with Germany--President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the first ``Armistice 
Day'' to commemorate the day. On that occasion, he stated: ``To us in 
America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn 
pride in the heroism of those who died in the country's service and 
with gratitude for the victory.''
  Maryland played a critical role in ending that conflict with victory. 
Prominent military installations such as Fort Meade and Aberdeen 
Proving Grounds rapidly trained and deployed troops to Europe, and 
about 2,000 Maryland servicemembers made the ultimate sacrifice in 
defense of our freedom and ideals.
  Congress passed legislation to establish Armistice Day as a legal 
holiday in 1938, ``dedicated to the cause of world peace.''
  The advent of World War II brought new challenges to America. Just as 
before, countless brave men and women stepped forward to do their part 
in service of their country. And just as before, Marylanders stepped 
forward arm-in-arm with their fellow citizens. The mighty Bethlehem-
Fairfield Shipyard in Baltimore produced hundreds of ships at dizzying 
speed to fight a war across a great ocean. Just a few miles from there, 
Glenn L. Martin Company's Aircraft produced A-22 Maryland bombers among 
other critically important aircraft in the battle for air superiority.
  Marylanders heroically fought on battlefields across the European and 
Pacific theatres. In all, 6,454 Marylanders lost their lives in World 
War II. Their names are memorialized in the granite of the Maryland 
World War II Monument in Annapolis.
  In 1954, after the Korean war, veterans service organizations urged 
Congress to amend the 1931 act by striking out the word ``Armistice'' 
and inserting the word ``Veterans.'' With the approval of this 
legislation on June 1, 1954, November 11 became a day to thank and 
honor all American veterans who have served in wartime and peacetime.
  Successive conflicts and a rapidly modernizing world have brought 
their own unique national security challenges, but Americans' bravery 
and willingness to serve has never wavered. Our Nation's security has 
always depended on the men and women of our military, and for their 
service, we are eternally indebted.
  Maryland continues to play a strategic role in our Nation's security 
infrastructure. The Old Line State is home to 11 military 
installations. Among the facilities are Joint Base Andrews, which is 
home to the President's two Boeing VC-25 airplanes, which have the call 
sign ``Air Force One'' while the Commander-in-Chief is on board, and 
the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, which has been training 
midshipmen since 1845.
  We honor all those men and women who have endeavored to protect our 
country and preserve our democracy so that Americans may live free from 
tyranny. Maryland is fortunate to be home to about 371,000 military 
veterans. These servant-leaders live amongst us as schoolteachers, 
small business owners, homemakers, public servants and most every other 
profession and they continue to give back to our communities.
  Let us all honor our veterans on this solemn day and every day by 
holding the values they fought so gallantly to defend and by providing 
them with the benefits they earned through blood, sweat, courage, and 
perseverance.
  On this Veterans Day, I join all Americans in thanking our veterans 
for their service, their sacrifice, and for being role models for 
future generations of Americans who will pick up the mantle of 
defending our great country.
  Mr. CRAMER. Mr. President, on this Veterans Day 2019, I wish to pay 
tribute to all veterans and thank them for their service. The freedoms 
we enjoy in America today are because of them.
  For more than 200 years, our veterans have fought across the globe 
defending our freedoms, while their families waited and worried at 
home. Thanks to them, the forces of tyranny and oppression have been 
turned back and defeated time and again.
  As Americans across the Nation come together on Veterans Day, I will 
be participating in a program in Fargo,

[[Page S6471]]

one of many being held in communities across North Dakota. Next 
Wednesday in Williston, several military organizations and Williston 
State College will sponsor a presentation by Medal of Honor recipient 
SSG Clinton Romesha.
  As one of only 3,507 recipients in American history to receive this 
honor, Staff Sergeant Romesha was the fourth living Medal of Honor 
recipient for the Afghanistan and Iraq wars. It was presented in 2013 
for his heroism during the Battle of Kamdesh in October 2009, a 12-hour 
battle that was significant in the Global War on Terrorism.
  During this intense attack by some 300 Taliban fighters, despite his 
own shrapnel wounds, Romesha continued to fight. His actions helped 
mount a successful counterattack that eliminated Taliban machine guns 
and allowed for wounded soldiers to be taken to an aid station.
  In his bestselling memoir, ``Red Platoon: A True Story of American 
Valor,'' published in 2013, Romesha shares the account of the Battle of 
Kamdesh and how one person can make a difference against seemingly 
impossible odds.
  Now a resident of Minot, ND, he travels extensively as a motivational 
speaker, sharing the message about how the capacity for leadership and 
bravery resides within everyone.
  I commend Williston State College and its Foundation, the Williston 
Basin Chapter of the American Petroleum Institute, Williston Post 37 of 
the American Legion, Military Affairs Committee, VFW-Post 12169, and 
Williston Chapter 9 of the Disabled American Veterans for bringing this 
inspirational message by a true hero to their community.
  Mr. President, on this Veterans Day, may we be reminded to be 
thankful every day for all who serve our country. May God bless all 
veterans and their families. They are all heroes.

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