[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 87 (Wednesday, May 19, 2021)]
[House]
[Pages H2556-H2557]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      MILITARY APPRECIATION MONTH

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I rise today to thank 
our men and women in uniform and remember those who gave their life for 
this country.
  The month of May is recognized as Military Appreciation Month, and we 
have several days dedicated to honoring our servicemen and -women, as 
well as their families.
  May 7 is Military Spouse Appreciation Day. May 8 is Victory in Europe 
Day, marking the end of World War II in Europe. May 15 is Armed 
Services Day, where we thank Active Duty members from all branches of 
the military.

                              {time}  1130

  But on the last day of May, we have our most solemn occasion, 
Memorial Day, where we mourn those whom we lost in defense of this 
Nation.
  The tradition of Memorial Day dates back to 1864 in Boalsburg, 
Pennsylvania. Three ladies decorated the graves of fallen Civil War 
soldiers, and the custom has continued every year since then. Boalsburg 
still puts on a traditional Memorial Day celebration, complete with a 
parade, a community walk to the cemetery, speeches, military 
reenactments, and much more.
  In the days leading up to Memorial Day, many place flags or lay 
wreaths at the graves of our soldiers. We gather with friends and 
family to attend parades and special services to remember those lost.
  As we take the time to thank our Active Duty members and remember the 
fallen, we must also never forget the soldiers who have not returned 
home.
  As the father of a wounded warrior, I thank God every day he returned 
home safely. Not every family has been as lucky, and we owe our 
greatest efforts to recovering the brave men and women who made the 
ultimate sacrifice for our country.

[[Page H2557]]

  Currently, there are more than 80,000 American servicemembers who 
remain unaccounted for, from World War II, the Korean war, the Vietnam 
war, the Cold War, and the gulf wars. We must uphold our promise to our 
POW/MIA who made the ultimate sacrifice and work to return these 
members home to their families.
  That is why today I am introducing the Prisoners of War and Missing 
in Action Trade Agreement Resolution. As we develop trade ties in 
regions where servicemembers once engaged in combat, we must make every 
effort to guarantee these countries are active participants in aiding 
in the recovery of our fallen soldiers. While several of these nations 
have worked to assist in the research and recovery efforts, many 
challenges still exist.
  This resolution ensures that as we enter mutually beneficial trade 
agreements, our trade partners will commit to the research and recovery 
efforts of our Nation's missing servicemembers.
  In addition, it also sends a message to the families of those who are 
still waiting for their loved ones to return home. The United States 
will uphold the eternal promise to our Armed Forces to always bring our 
men and women home.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution, 
especially in advance of Memorial Day weekend. As Memorial Day 
approaches and we make plans to see family and friends and to attend 
services and parades, let us remember that our freedom is not free and 
we owe thanks to those who died in sacrifice.
  May God bless them, and may God bless the United States of America.

                          ____________________