[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 18]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 25006]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 VETERANS RECOGNIZED BY THE SILVER ROSE

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. RON PAUL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 16, 2003

  Mr. PAUL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to thank Gary Chenett, and Robert 
Baker. These two gentlemen are responsible for awarding The Silver Rose 
to our military veterans in Texas and across the Nation.
  Established in 1997 by Mary Elizabeth Marchand, The Order of The 
Silver Rose gives many veterans the satisfaction of being recognized 
for making the ultimate sacrifice for our nation. Mrs. Marchand's 
father, Chief Hospital Corpsman Frank Davis, died from illnesses 
resulting from the use of Agent Orange in the Vietnam War. A combat 
veteran, Chief Davis was not wounded in combat but exposed to a 
dangerous substance while fighting for his country. Exposure to Agent 
Orange resulted in Davis losing his life some years later. 
Subsequently, determination was made by the Department of Defense that 
Chief Davis and many like him do not qualify for The Purple Heart.
  The Order of The Silver Rose recognizes the courage, heroism, and 
contributions of American service personnel who were exposed to Agent 
Orange in a combat zone. There are thousands of veterans who served 
this country faithfully who are now suffering illnesses, some fatal, 
directly due to being exposed to harmful substances during the war.
  Gary Chenett and Robert Baker award veterans with The Silver Rose. To 
date over one thousand veterans have received this award. Sadly, many 
of these awards have been made posthumously. October is now recognized 
as Agent Orange month in Texas and many other states. On behalf of 
Texas, I thank our brave patriots for their sacrifices.