[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 8]
[Senate]
[Pages 10406-10407]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




       COMMEMORATING THE 227TH BIRTHDAY OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY

  Mr. THURMOND. Madam President, I rise today to commemorate the 227th 
Birthday of the United States Army. On June 14, 1775, as our Republic 
was struggling to emerge, the Second Continental Congress enacted 
legislation creating the American Continental Army. The founding 
fathers knew if the citizens of this Nation were to be secure in their 
liberty, the Nation would require the ability to defend and protect 
itself. Fortunately, this Congress also selected George Washington to 
command this new force. His sense of purpose, integrity, and leadership 
were an inspiration to the troops he led to secure the independence of 
the Nation. His vision of the citizen soldier defending his home, 
family, and country were critical to founding of the Republic.
  From humble beginnings, at Lexington and in the forge of battles such 
as Charleston, Cowpens, and Kings Mountain and from the winter 
encampment at Valley Forge, the Army secured victory at Yorktown. From 
Chippewa, New Orleans, Palo Alto, Buena Vista, to the numerous 
skirmishes on the frontier known as the Indian Wars, the Army proudly 
defended this Nation. The entry of the United States into World War I 
with the Army leading the way, sealed the allied victory. During World 
War II, the Army fought worldwide with troops in the Americas, Europe, 
Africa, Asia, and the Pacific. The defense of our freedoms continued 
with the Korean War, the Viet Nam War, and Desert Storm. Today our 
soldiers are found throughout the world, Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan 
and elsewhere, courageously defending our Nation and the ideals it 
represents.
  Our Army reflects the values of our Nation's citizens. Our citizen 
soldiers serve to protect our freedoms today just as they did to gain 
our freedoms over 200 years ago. I am proud of our soldiers and 
appreciate their selfless service. I was proud to wear the uniform of 
the United States Army. Happy Birthday to the United States Army.
  Mr. HAGEL. Madam President, I rise today to wish the United States 
Army happy birthday. It was 227 years ago today, in 1775, that the 
Continental Army of the United States was formed. The United States 
Army has had a monumental impact on our country.

[[Page 10407]]

  Millions of men and women over the past 227 years have served in the 
senior branch of our military forces. The Army is interwoven into the 
culture of America. Those who have had the great privilege of serving 
our country in the U.S. Army understand that.
  This year is an especially important anniversary. The United States 
Military Academy at West Point this year celebrated their bicentennial 
anniversary. The newly commissioned class of Lieutenants from the West 
Point Class of 2002 will face a future much like those faced by their 
predecessors in the Class of 1942, a world where the United States 
finds itself in a struggle to protect our precious values of liberty, 
freedom, and democracy.
  This struggle will not be easy. As of today, we have soldiers 
stationed or deployed in 125 nations. Today we are at war with the 
scourge of our time, terrorism. We must go at the root and strike at 
the heart of terrorist organizations and those nations granting them 
safe harbor. And to do so we depend on our United States Army.
  This mission is not easy. Our soldiers will spend holidays in far 
away countries, miss anniversaries with their spouses and birthdays 
with their children. They do this out of love for our nation and a 
sense of the greater good. But we must remember that these are the 
lucky ones. Since military operations started in Afghanistan, the 
following Army soldiers have given their lives in service to our great 
nation during Operation Enduring Freedom: Pfc. Kristofer Stonesifer; 
Spc. John J. Edmunds; Pvt. Giovany Maria; Staff Sgt. Brian ``Cody'' 
Prosser; Master Sgt. Jefferson Donald Davis; Sgt. 1st Class Daniel 
Petithory; Sgt. 1st Class Nathan R. Chapman; Spc. Jason A. Disney; Spc. 
Thomas F. Allison; Staff Sgt. James P. Dorrity; Chief Warrant Officer 
Jody L. Egnor; Sgt. Jeremy D. Forshee; Staff Sgt. Kerry W. Frith; Major 
Curtis D. Feisner; Captain Bartt D. Owens; Staff Sgt. Bruce A. 
Rushforth, Jr.; Sgt. Bradley S. Crose; Spc. Marc A. Anderson; Pfc. 
Matthew A. Commons; Sgt. Philip J. Svitak; Chief Warrant Officer 
Stanley L. Harriman; Staff Sgt. Brian T. Craig; Staff Sgt. Justin J. 
Galewski; Sgt. Jamie O. Maugans; Sgt. 1st Class Daniel A. Romero; Sgt. 
Gene Vance, Jr.; and Sgt. 1st Class Peter P. Tycz II.
  ``Duty, honor, country'' is the motto of the U.S. Army. It is 
America. Every generation of Americans who have served in the U.S. 
Army, from the Continental Army to today's fighting men and women, have 
been shaped by this motto. It has molded lives in ways that are hard to 
explain, just as the Army has touched our national life and history and 
made the world more secure, prosperous, and a better place for all 
mankind.
  On this 227th birthday of the U.S. Army, as a proud U.S. Army 
veteran, I say happy birthday to the Army veterans of our country. We 
recognize and thank those who served and whose examples inspired those 
of us who have had the opportunity to serve in the U.S. Army.
  It is the Army that has laid the foundation for all of this nation's 
distinguished branches of service and helped build a greater, stronger 
America.
  On this, the 227th birthday of the Army, I say Happy Birthday and, in 
the great rich tradition of the U.S. Army, I proclaim my annual Senate 
floor ``Hooah!''

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