[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 78 (Tuesday, May 10, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S2416]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              MEMORIAL DAY

  Ms. STABENOW. Madam President, I rise today to honor and remember the 
veterans throughout Michigan's history who have given their lives on 
behalf of our country.
  Even before Michigan was a State, these brave patriots have been 
willing to risk everything--even their lives--in order to defend our 
Nation, our people, and our way of life.
  Perhaps the stakes were never higher than in World War II. 
Totalitarianism threatened free countries and free people, echoes of 
which we are tragically seeing today in Ukraine. Americans--and 
Michiganders--would not stand by and watch democracy die.
  We planted victory gardens. We purchased war bonds. And we built an 
Arsenal of Democracy strong enough to defeat dictators and defend 
freedom around the world.
  More than half a million Michigan men and women served in our Armed 
Forces. For more than 15,000 of them, it was the last thing they ever 
did.
  We can never repay them for their sacrifice. But we can remember 
them, honor them, and share their stories.
  That is the aim of the Michigan World War II Legacy Memorial in Royal 
Oak. Ground was broken for this special place just last month.
  The memorial will feature statues representing life on the 
battlefront and the homefront. A series of pillars will stand for 
Michigan's contributions to the war. A brick walkway will tell the 
stories of those who fought and sacrificed. And a wall of stars will 
commemorate the lives that were lost.
  Each one of the 1,300 stars will represent more than 10 Michigan men 
and women who gave their lives for our country. One of those stars 
shines for Pfc. Walter Wetzel of Roseville.
  On the morning of April 3, 1945, Pfc. Wetzel was guarding his 
platoon's command post when it came under fire. German troops fought 
their way close to the building and threw two grenades into the room 
Pfc. Wetzel was defending alongside his fellow soldiers. Pfc. Wetzel 
shouted a warning and threw himself on top of the grenades, sacrificing 
his own life so that others could fight on.
  For this supreme act of bravery, Pfc. Wetzel was awarded the Medal of 
Honor, which is now on display at the Michigan Heroes Museum in 
Frankenmuth.
  Pfc. Wetzel deserves to be remembered, as does everyone who laid down 
their lives for our country. It is incredibly fitting that Michigan 
would honor their sacrifice in such a lasting way.
  This Memorial Day, we remember all Michigan veterans who gave their 
lives in service to our country. And we salute all of our veterans who 
are still with us. It is only because of their sacrifice that our 
democracy endures.

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