[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 55 (Wednesday, March 26, 2025)]
[House]
[Pages H1279-H1280]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
NATIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR DAY
(Mr. Thompson of Pennsylvania was recognized to address the House for
5 minutes.)
Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize
yesterday as National Medal of Honor Day, a solemn occasion when our
Nation pauses to reflect on the extraordinary heroism and selflessness
of those who have received our country's highest military award for
valor, the Medal of Honor.
National Medal of Honor Day is an opportunity to pay tribute not only
to their acts of courage but also to the profound sacrifices made in
the defense of our freedoms.
Over 150 years ago, on March 25, 1863, the very first Medals of Honor
were presented, establishing a tradition of recognizing those who
displayed unparalleled bravery in the face of overwhelming danger.
More than a century later, in 1990, Congress designated March 25 as
National Medal of Honor Day, ensuring that future generations would
never forget the servicemembers who went above and beyond the call of
duty.
Since its inception, the Medal of Honor has been awarded 3,547 times
to servicemembers who have demonstrated extraordinary bravery and
devotion to their fellow troops and our Nation. Among those, 380
recipients have called Pennsylvania home, a testament to the courage
and selflessness of the sons and daughters of the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania.
One of those remarkable Pennsylvanians was Army Specialist Ross
McGinnis, a young man from Clarion County who, at just 19 years old,
made the ultimate sacrifice to save the lives of his fellow soldiers.
On December 4, 2006, while on patrol in eastern Baghdad, Specialist
McGinnis and his unit came under attack. An enemy insurgent positioned
on a rooftop hurled a grenade into his Humvee.
Without hesitation, Specialist McGinnis threw his body onto the
grenade, saving the lives of his fellow soldiers. For this incomparable
courage and sacrifice, President George W. Bush posthumously awarded
him the Medal of Honor in 2008.
Today, the post office in Knox, Pennsylvania, bears his name,
ensuring that his legacy of heroism endures in the community he once
called home.
Another Pennsylvanian whose bravery is etched in history is Private
First
[[Page H1280]]
Class Foster Sayers, a 20-year-old infantryman from my hometown of
Howard, Pennsylvania, who answered the call to serve during World War
II.
On November 12, 1944, while fighting near Thionville, France, Private
Sayers singlehandedly charged enemy positions, drawing fire away from
his unit and allowing his fellow soldiers to successfully flank and
capture the enemy stronghold.
His courage, sacrifice, and dedication to duty earned him the Medal
of Honor. Eighty years later, his name remains a symbol of the price of
our freedom.
In November of last year, I had the privilege of presenting two flags
to Foster Sayers, Jr., and Foster Sayers III, in honor of their father
and grandfather's legacy.
Foster Sayers was married to his wife, Ellen, at the time he
deployed. He never met Fos, who actually was my neighbor for a lot of
years, for decades, and married to my dad's cousin. Foster's wife,
Ellen, was actually my babysitter when I was growing up. They are a
remarkable family.
Behind every Medal of Honor recipient is a family that has also
sacrificed. Our military families often bear the weight of their loved
one's service. I also thank them for their sacrifice.
Mr. Speaker, when we observe National Medal of Honor Day, we honor
these heroes, and we affirm our sacred obligation to all who wear the
uniform. We must ensure that our veterans and servicemembers are
treated with the dignity, care, and gratitude that they have so
courageously earned.
Let us continue to build a country worthy of the sacrifices of our
veterans. May God bless our veterans, our fallen heroes, and our great
Nation.
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