[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 7803]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




CONCERNING TREATMENT OF MEMBERS OF ARMED FORCES HELD AS PRISONER OF WAR 
                          BY IRAQI AUTHORITIES

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                     HON. HOWARD P. ``BUCK'' McKEON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 26, 2003

  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, on Saturday, March 8th, citizens of the 
Santa Clarita Valley gathered at a busy intersection to show their 
support for our American troops and for President Bush. Over a period 
of several hours, hundreds of people of all ages participated. Carrying 
signs and waving flags, they elicited a steady chorus of honking and 
cheering from passing motorists.
  Barbara Barrick, Elizabeth Makous, Stacy and Brad Meyer, Denise 
Grimes and Betty Lanning planned this wonderful display of patriotism 
with assistance from the Santa Clarita Congress of Republicans, the 
Republican Women Federated, the Young Republicans and the Lincoln Club.
  Judy Belty, a young soldier's mother, was so touched by the 
demonstration that she wrote the following letter to the editor of our 
local paper, The Signal. I share it with my colleagues in hopes they 
will find it as inspiring as I did.

       Editor: As I was driving home today I saw about 100 people 
     dressed in red, white and blue, waving flags, holding up 
     signs and cheering in support of our president and troops. 
     Most of the cars passed by honking their horns in support of 
     the waving display. 1 wanted to stop right there, get out of 
     my car and hug the first person I ran into. I wanted to say 
     ``thank you'' for being a voice for my boy.
       I am the mom of an Army 82nd Airborne medic soldier and my 
     heart has been heavy with the rhetoric that has been voiced 
     in the name of ``peace.'' I think I can safely say that none 
     of us wants war, not even President Bush. But it is no secret 
     that our country's freedom has always had a cost.
       Since 9-11, I have been asked often if I think we should go 
     to war. I think most expect me to say no, because I am a 
     soldier's mom. Well, as a mom, I don't want my son or any 
     other young person to have to experience what may be ahead. 
     As an American, I want to keep my right to speak my opinion, 
     to practice my Christian faith, to display my country's flag, 
     to make choices for my life that are usually ``politically 
     incorrect,'' and even to write this letter. I want to be able 
     to ride up an elevator and believe I am safe, to board a 
     plane and reach my destination. More importantly, I want this 
     freedom for our children.
       I drove by the supporting display about three times, and 
     each time I was stirred with emotion. I wished my son could 
     see the support for what he is doing. When I hear others 
     speak against the war, I wonder if they really remember the 
     human lives stationed all over the world for them?
       The military is not paradise. It's not all fun and games. 
     My son has been to the Middle East and will probably be 
     returning again within a few months. I have so much 
     compassion in my heart for the moms of sons who were in 
     combat, for the spouses of soldiers, and the children.
       Do I want war? No, but I want peace and freedom. Do I want 
     my son to go to war? Of course not, but I am extremely proud 
     of him and his fellow comrades for valuing my life over their 
     own.
       So to those of you that stood out there, thank you. Thank 
     you for helping people remember that regardless of whether 
     you agree with war, there are real men and women, our troops, 
     in need of our love, our support, our words of encouragement. 
     Thank you and please, God in heaven, bless America.

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