[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 8 (Wednesday, January 15, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E37]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





RECOGNIZING 15 YEARS OF SELFLESS SERVICE OF THE NATIONAL CEMETERY HONOR 
                                 GUARD

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. BRIAN K. FITZPATRICK

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 15, 2025

  Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Guardians 
of the National Cemetery Honor Guard, an extraordinary group comprised 
solely of volunteer veterans who have dedicated themselves to honoring 
our nation's heroes. Since 2010, these selfless individuals have 
conducted over 23,000 military honors at Washington Crossing National 
Cemetery, ensuring that every veteran laid to rest receives the 
dignity, respect, and recognition they so rightfully deserve for their 
service to our country.
  The Guardians' commitment extends far beyond their daily military 
honors. They have played an integral role in outreach efforts, working 
tirelessly to inform the public about the mission of Washington 
Crossing National Cemetery and the essential services available to 
veterans and their families. Through their generosity, they have funded 
promotional videos highlighting the cemetery's importance. These 
videos, aired on public access networks, have helped foster community 
awareness and engagement, furthering support for this sacred space.
  Their dedication goes beyond Washington Crossing National Cemetery. 
The Guardians provide military honors for veterans interred in private 
cemeteries upon request, demonstrating their profound respect for all 
veterans, regardless of where they are laid to rest. This unwavering 
commitment is a testament to their honor, compassion, and belief in the 
sacredness of military service.
  In addition to their ceremonial duties, the Guardians have left a 
lasting legacy through their contributions to Washington Crossing 
National Cemetery. They were instrumental in securing donations for 
significant monuments, including the Gold Star Monument--the first of 
its kind dedicated to a national cemetery--and the General George 
Washington in Prayer Monument. Their efforts also brought forth a 
commemorative garden honoring the 100th anniversary of the Tomb of the 
Unknown Soldier and a United States Flag Rock Garden. Moreover, their 
dedication to the maintenance of the Avenue of Flags ensures that the 
cemetery remains a place of reverence and pride for generations to 
come.
  Beyond their contributions to the cemetery, the Guardians serve as a 
vital bridge connecting the Veterans Administration, veterans, their 
families, and the broader community. They offer critical support to 
veterans in need, cultivating a network of compassion and care 
throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania. Their unwavering efforts 
underscore the profound importance of service, community, and 
solidarity, leaving an enduring impact that cannot be overstated.
  For their tireless dedication, extraordinary service, and 
contributions to preserving the memory and honoring the legacy of our 
Nation's veterans. I am proud to recognize and honor the Guardians of 
the National Cemetery Honor Guard. These volunteer veterans embody the 
highest ideals of service, bringing great honor not only to themselves 
but also to the veterans they serve and the country they so proudly 
defended.

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