[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 20]
[House]
[Page 27401]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     CELEBRATING AMERICAN VETERANS

  (Mr. WILSON of South Carolina asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday, November 11, 
America will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Veterans Day, a day to 
honor our men and women who have fought to preserve freedom and liberty 
for generations to come.
  Veterans Day was formerly known as Armistice Day in recognition of 
the end of World War I, until President Dwight D. Eisenhower changed 
the name of the holiday to include all veterans in 1954. This year, we 
will honor the 25 million living veterans who have fought and the more 
than 1 million men and women who have died to ensure freedom and bring 
about peace in conflicts, including World War II, the Korean War, 
Vietnam, the Gulf War and today's war on terrorism. This will be an 
especially solemn occasion as our current military are engaged in a 
fight for democracy in Iraq, a critical battle in the war on terrorism 
that we will win, to protect the American people from terrorists.
  Since America was attacked on September 11, America has been awakened 
to a greater understanding and appreciation for the freedoms we enjoy 
here in our great Nation. This Veterans Day is an opportunity to thank 
those who are responsible for protecting our way of life and have 
joined in struggles around the world in defense of liberty. In 
conclusion, God bless our troops.

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