[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 156 (Friday, September 10, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E967]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  RECOGNIZING NATIONAL PATHFINDER DAY

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                            HON. VAN TAYLOR

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 10, 2021

  Mr. TAYLOR. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of National 
Pathfinder Day, a day in which to honor all those who have served in 
this elite group of soldiers. The Pathfinders hold a special place in 
the history and, more importantly, the successes of our Armed Forces. 
These brave volunteer soldiers were trailblazers who played a vital 
role in heightening our military's precision and capabilities.
  The Army Pathfinders were first utilized at the height of our 
involvement in World War II as newly formed paratrooper units were 
being scattered during combat jumps as far as 60 miles from the target. 
Prior to their formation, a consistent tactical issue had been the 
inaccurate and widely scattered drop zones for our paratroopers. The 
correcting course our military found was to assemble volunteer units to 
drop in the prior night, undetected by the enemy, and set up marked 
drop zones for our parachuting soldiers and gliders--widely considered 
a suicide mission. However, these first Pathfinders' bravery and 
tenacity in the face of a seemingly impossible mission led to success.
  Pathfinders have been employed in every major conflict, continuing to 
drop into unknown enemy territory with no larger force to rely on for 
retreat or reinforcement. They would continue to do all of this in the 
name of providing their brothers-in-arms with accurate information and 
other operational support. While modern technological advancements and 
the everchanging landscape by which we conduct warfare have shifted so 
that units such as the Pathfinders are no longer utilized, we would do 
well to remember the traits that these patriots exhibited--bravery, 
selflessness, and an undying need to complete what was requested of 
them. Now as the National Pathfinder Association gathers in fellowship 
to commemorate this September 13th Day of recognition, I ask my 
colleagues to join me in reflecting upon these giants of valor.

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