[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 20]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 28879]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                      HONORING AMERICA'S VETERANS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DONALD A. MANZULLO

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, November 5, 1999

  Mr. MANZULLO. Mr. Speaker, one year ago I had the privilege of 
participating in a memorable Veterans Day program at the Alden-Hebron 
Elementary School in Hebron, Illinois, in the district I represent. 
That was a special day for me in many ways. I will never forget having 
the honor of presenting the Bronze Star to CPL Harold Myers, the 
school's custodian, for his bravery during the Battle of the Bulge. His 
gallantry in the service of his country was a reminder of why we 
commemorate Veterans Day.
  It was also heartwarming to witness a new generation of young 
Americans coming to understand and acknowledge the sacrifices made by 
past generations of American veterans. As a number of students 
recounted brief stories about how we as a nation came to set aside 
November 11th as a day to recognize our veterans, I couldn't help 
thinking how important it is to keep the flame of patriotism burning 
brightly in the hearts of each new generation of Americans. They will 
be the ones who will carry on, and in some cases defend, the values 
that have made our nation great. The students of Alden-Hebron 
Elementary have a clearer understanding of the American spirit because 
they see it personified in Harold Myers, who not only serves as their 
school custodian, but because of his service to his country, is a 
genuine American hero.
   Mr. Speaker, as a tribute to the American men and women who have 
served this country throughout our history and in recognition of the 
students of Alden-Hebron Elementary School, I submit for the Record 
statements made by a number of the students honoring our nation's 
veterans:

                              Veterans Day

       In 1921, an American soldier--his name ``known but to 
     God''--was buried on a Virginia hillside overlooking the 
     Potomac River and the city of Washington. The Arlington 
     National Cemetary burial site of the unknown World War One 
     soldier became a place of honor to all American veterans. 
     Similar ceremonies were held in England and France where an 
     ``unknown soldier'' was buried in each nations place of 
     honor.
       These ceremonies all took place on November 11 to recognize 
     the end of World War One which ended on the 11th hour of the 
     11th day of the 11th month in 1918. It became known as 
     Armistice Day. Over four and a half million Americans served 
     in the military and over 100 thousand died in battle during 
     this war. Today, only 3,200 veterans from that conflict are 
     alive.
       On December 7, 1941 the United States entered World War 
     Two. 16 million men and women entered the military services 
     during this time. Four hundred six thousand Americans died 
     fighting in World War Two. Today over 6 million veterans from 
     that time are still living.--Crystal Stolarik

                                  ____
                                  

                              Veterans Day

       On November 11th 1947 in Birmingham, Alabama a Veterans Day 
     parade was organized to honor all veterans. U.S. 
     Representative Edward H. Rees of Kansas proposed changing 
     Armistice Day to Veterans Day. In 1954 President Eisenhower 
     signed a bill proclaiming November 11th as Veterans Day, and 
     he called on all Americans to rededicate themselves to the 
     cause of peace.
       On May 30, 1958 two more unidentified Americans war dead 
     were brought from overseas and buried in Arlington Cemetery 
     beside their World War One comrade. One was killed in World 
     War Two and one in the Korean War.
       To honor these men symbolic to all Americans who Gave their 
     lives in battle an Army honor guard, the 3rd U.S. Infantry 
     (The Old Guard) keeps day and night watch.--Becky Peterson

                                  ____
                                  

                              Veterans Day

       In 1968 a law passed that changed the national 
     commemoration of Veterans Day to the fourth Monday in 
     October. Soon it became apparent that November 11th was a 
     matter of historic and patriotic significance to a great 
     number of our citizens. Congress returned observance of this 
     special day back to its traditional date in 1978.
       The focal point of ceremonies conducted by the Veterans Day 
     National Committee continues to be at the Arlington National 
     Cemetery at the Tomb of the Unknowns. The cemetery, 
     established in 1864 is now operated by the Department of the 
     Army.--Brianna Borman

                                  ____
                                  

                              Veterans Day

       Tomorrow at 11 o'clock a combined color guard Representing 
     all military services honors the unknowns by Executing 
     ``Present Arms'' at the Tomb. The Nation's tribute to Its war 
     dead is symbolized by the lying of a Presidential Wreath and 
     the bugler sounding ``taps''. The sounding of ``taps'' 
     remembers the over one million Americans killed in war and 
     the 41 million Americans who have served in the military 
     during times of war. They served in 11 wars from the 
     Revolution to the Persian Gulf earning the special 
     distinction of ``Veteran''.
       Today there is, and perhaps there always will be, conflict 
     in the world. But the United States enjoys peace and 
     freedom.--Marty Ladafoged

                                  ____
                                  

                     Harold Myers Military Service

       Harold Myers was inducted into the U.S. Army on March 19, 
     1942 at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana. He then went to Camp 
     Claiborne, Louisiana to train on the 30 and 50 caliber 
     machine guns with the 82nd Infantry Division. Training for 
     paragliders was then given at Fort Bragg. A glider was used 
     by towing it behind a cargo plane attached with a cable, then 
     released when close enough to the final destination. Glider 
     duty was extremely dangerous. The Glider which Corporal Myers 
     flew held 4 soldiers and 1 jeep. Corporal Myers left the 
     United States for Casablanca, Morroco on April 29, 1943. 
     After arriving in North Africa his division traveled to 
     Bizerte, Tunisia, a staging area for the invasion of Sicily 
     and Italy. On Sept. 10, 1943 Corporal Myers landed at Maiori, 
     Italy under the command of General Darby's Ranger Force.
       After the Sicilian and Italian campaigns Corporal Myers 
     division returned to Ireland of Normandy. The Germans 
     defended against glider landings by cutting tree tops off and 
     stringing barbed wire across them. This prevented the gliders 
     from successfully landing. Instead of an airborne assault 
     Corporal Myers' division landed Normandy (Omaha Beach) by 
     LCI, an infantry landing ship, took their objective St. Mere 
     Eglise.
       On June 13, 1944 Corporal Myers' squad was providing air 
     defense for the Division Reserve. As an American convoy 
     passed it came under attack for a captured English Spitfire 
     piloted by a German Officer. Corporal Myers alertly manned 
     his machine gun and shot down the plane on its second pass 
     saving the many soldiers under attack.
       Corporal Myers and his division returned to England to 
     ready for the invasion of Holland. On Sept. 23, 1944 Corporal 
     Myers copiloted his glider over the English Channel and 
     successfully landed in Holland with men and jeep intact.
       On December 29, 1944, while in Belgium during the Battle of 
     the Bulge, Corporal Myers squad came under heavy fire. 2 men 
     under Corporal Myers' command were killed by an enemy shell 
     which also wounded Corporal Myers and another soldier. He was 
     taken to a field hospital and later returned to the United 
     States. He saw 1 year, 10 months, and 13 days of overseas 
     duty. He fought in the Sicilian, Italian, Normandy-France, 
     and Rhineland Campaigns. His awards include the Glider Badge, 
     Good Conduct Medal, the European-African Theater Medal with 4 
     stars, and the Purple Heart. Corporal Myers was honorably 
     discharged from the United States Army on 28 Sept. 1945.--
     Matt Crocco and Eric Schaid

     

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