[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 20]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 27987]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                     PAYING TRIBUTE TO THOMAS MOORE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 20, 2001

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to 
recognize Thomas Moore of Grand Junction, Colorado and thank him for 
his service to this country. Thomas began his service to our nation as 
a sailor, joining the Navy at a young age to travel and experience the 
world. Early in his service, Thomas participated in a moment that would 
change the world and bring this nation into war. The moment was Pearl 
Harbor on December 7, 1941.
  Thomas was assigned to the battleship USS Maryland on that December 
morning. He was serving as a hospital apprentice, learning the skills 
to assist surgeons in operating procedures. As his ship, along with 
other ships, were bombed and torpedoed in the harbor, Thomas was thrust 
into a position to save men's lives. He spent the next several days 
assisting the wounded with their battle injuries and doing what he 
could to ease the shock and pain of U.S. sailors.
  As a result of the attack that day, twelve U.S. ships were sunk, 
beached, or destroyed by Japanese action. The U.S. armed forces 
suffered heavy casualties losing 2,400 men to enemy action and 1,100 
casualties as a result of enemy fire. This nation was given no choice 
but to declare war on Japan and thus enter World War II. Thomas, like 
many other servicemen and women, would know the horrors of war for the 
next four years.
  Mr. Speaker, as we remember the 60th anniversary of Pearl Harbor let 
us also remember the recent victims of our nation's quest for freedom. 
The attacks on this country September 11 again have plunged us into 
war. As we fight to redeem our fallen friends let us also pay tribute 
to the soldiers throughout our nation's history who gave their lives to 
protect our way of life. It's dedicated men like Thomas Moore to whom 
we should pay homage and thank for his service to this nation.

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