[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 89 (Wednesday, May 22, 2024)]
[House]
[Page H3407]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           STORIES OF SERVICE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Virginia (Ms. Spanberger) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. SPANBERGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today during Military 
Appreciation Month and ahead of Memorial Day to recognize some of the 
many Virginians who have contributed to Virginia's proud legacy of 
military service and those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.
  Earlier this month, I reached out to families across the Seventh 
District asking them to share ``Stories of Service,'' recognizing the 
unwavering courage and commitment of their loved ones who have answered 
the call to serve our country.
  I am honored to work on behalf of so many military families and 
veterans, and I am grateful for the opportunity to stand here today to 
read some of the extraordinary stories I received.
  Lisa Harms from Stafford County recognized her daughter, Second 
Lieutenant Sabrina Harms, who is currently serving in the U.S. Air 
Force.
  A UVA alumna, granddaughter of World War II and Korean war veterans, 
and the niece of Vietnam and Persian war veterans, Sabrina is in her 
third year of medical school at the Uniformed Services University of 
the Health Sciences and will graduate as a family medicine doctor next 
May to care for our servicemembers, veterans, and their families.
  I thank Sabrina for her devotion to our country and fellow 
servicemembers. Lisa must be incredibly proud.
  Bonnie, who lives in Stafford County, shared with me the story of her 
father, Jesse James Verling, a lifelong Orange County resident.
  Mr. Verling never talked much of the details of his service in the 
Philippines and the European theater during World War II. However, 
following his passing, Bonnie opened his safe deposit box and 
discovered his military decorations, getting to understand more about 
her father's brave and dedicated service on behalf of our country.
  Our Nation owes an immense debt of gratitude to every one of our 
neighbors who put on the uniform. I thank Bonnie for recognizing her 
father's service and allowing me the opportunity to do so in the 
Congressional Record.
  William Hosp from Prince William County shared his father's story of 
service. William Brokaw Hosp, Sr., served in the U.S. Army during World 
War II, having enlisted straight out of high school.
  After seeing combat during the Battle of the Bulge, he was 
transferred to Okinawa following Germany's unconditional surrender. He 
ultimately served on both fronts of the war. His resolve, courage, and 
commitment to democracy are an inspiration. I am glad to have received 
his story and have the opportunity to recognize his service.
  Stephen from Orange County recognized many members of his family who 
served to preserve the freedoms we enjoy as Americans: his father and 
two uncles who served during World War II, his brother who served in 
Vietnam, and his brother who served stateside as a member of the detail 
at Fort Myer responsible for interring the honored dead at Arlington 
National Cemetery.
  Stephen wrote: ``As they say, freedom isn't free, and we should all 
be thankful every day for those willing to pay the price.''
  I am grateful for Stephen's family's sacrifices on behalf of our 
country.
  As we head toward Memorial Day weekend, we remember the Virginians 
who bravely defended and died for our country, Virginians like Second 
Lieutenant Leonard M. Cowherd III. Leonard's sister, Lauren Salinas, 
wrote to me about her brother's career in service.
  After growing up in Culpeper County, Leonard graduated from the U.S. 
Military Academy at West Point in 2003, and he was deployed in early 
2004. He was killed in action in Iraq on May 16, 2004. He is buried at 
Arlington National Cemetery.
  Lauren wrote: ``Twenty years have passed, but I remain grateful for 
the support and the love we still receive from many who knew Leonard in 
the community.''
  We will never forget the Virginians whose individual sacrifices allow 
us to enjoy the promises of freedom. My heart is with Leonard's family 
as they continue to hold his memory and spirit with them.
  We honor every one of our neighbors who are serving or have served in 
the United States of America's uniform and those who have paid the 
ultimate sacrifice in defense of our freedoms.
  This Memorial Day, I encourage all of my colleagues and all Americans 
across the country to reflect on the service and the sacrifice of the 
brave servicemembers--our neighbors, friends, and loved ones--who paid 
the heavy price of freedom as we remember those who never came home.


                 Honoring Centennial of Foreign Service

  Ms. SPANBERGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 100th 
anniversary of the U.S. Foreign Service.
  Over the past century, Foreign Service officers, many of whom call 
Virginia home, have worked tirelessly around the globe to help maintain 
the global leadership of the United States.
  Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of working alongside 
many Foreign Service officers. These Americans display an unwavering 
commitment to our diplomacy and our national security.
  As we celebrate 100 years of modern American diplomacy, let's pause 
to reflect on the invaluable contributions made by these public 
servants on behalf of our country, even while facing threats and 
working far from their hometowns and, oftentimes, their families.
  I stand here today to express my profound gratitude to these 
officers, as well as to honor the hundreds of members of our Foreign 
Service who have given their lives in service abroad.
  To recognize this important centennial, I encourage my colleagues to 
support the bill to mint a commemorative coin celebrating 100 years of 
the U.S. Foreign Service.

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