[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 5]
[Senate]
[Pages 6633-6634]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        OPERATION ENDURING LOVE

  Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, we all know that the war in Iraq is not 
without its controversies or detractors. But it is also important to 
note that the spirit of the American people is transcendent. Whether 
you supported the war in Iraq, as I did, or whether you opposed it, the 
people of this Nation are very conscious of the sacrifice that our 
military men and women are making for us all are grateful. I rise today 
to give one small example of the American people's spirit from 
Lafayette, LA.

[[Page 6634]]

  The soldiers of the 256th Army National Guard Infantry Brigade were 
recently put on alert and notified that they could be heading to Iraq 
soon. As for any Guard unit, such deployments mean a tremendous 
disruption in the lives of the citizen soldiers who make up this 
brigade. They miss work, they miss graduations, they miss birthdays, 
they miss reunions, and sadly, for some, they miss weddings.
  When the announcement went out that the 256th could be deploying, 
Spec. Jeremy Meyers and his fiancee, Amy Glorioso, decided that they 
needed to move up their wedding date. But as everyone knows, weddings 
are expensive, and food, flowers, and venues have to be reserved and 
paid for months in advance. Changes to wedding dates can mean thousands 
of dollars in additional costs.
  But thanks to the organization and drive of Merilyn Crain, the owner 
of L'Eglise in Vermilion Parish, and the patriotism and dedication of 
businesses throughout the Lafayette region, seven couples will enjoy 
their dream weddings--earlier than planned--and for free.
  This act of generosity is the perfect symbol of the deep appreciation 
and love that all Americans feel for their soldiers, sailors, airmen, 
and marines. The people of the Lafeyette region, and all of Louisiana 
should be proud of the example they have set in rallying around the men 
and women of the 256th. As the Bible teaches us, ``No greater love hath 
any man than this, that he should lay his life down for another.'' It 
is therefore appropriate that we should repay the debt we owe our 
military, by assisting them with ceremonies that celebrate the love 
between two people.
  Mr. President, I congratulate the businesses and individuals whose 
generosity made these efforts possible. I will have the privilege of 
meeting the members of the 256th and their families this coming Monday. 
I will also get a chance to thank some of the members of Operation 
Enduring Love personally. However, I wanted to take this opportunity to 
tell this inspiring story here on the Senate floor, and record for 
posterity the names of those businesses and performers who have 
participated. They are:

       L'Eglise, Inc. of Abbeville, Let's Talk Dinner Personal 
     Chef Service of Lafayette, Crystal Weddings of Lafayette, 
     Occasions Cake Boutique of New Iberia, Sugar Art Wedding 
     Cake, American Legion Post 69 988-0799 of Lafayette, Viet Nam 
     Veterans of America, Acadiana Chapter No. 141 of Fontenot, 
     Mary Ellen's Tux Shop of Lafayette, Antoinette's Bridals & 
     Formals of Lafayette, Chef Bobby & Dot's Le Bon Manger 
     Catering of Kaplan, Sugar Art, A La Carte of Lafayette, 
     Tsunami of Lafayette, Schilling Distributing Co Inc. of 
     Lafayette, Glazer's Companies of Lafayette, Quality Brands 
     Inc. of Lafayette, Interior Plant Services of New Iberia, 
     Paul's Jewelry of Lafayette, Spedale Spedale's of Lafayette, 
     Beyond Flowers of Lafayette.
       Cajun Cottage Gifts of Erath, Flowerland of Lafayette, The 
     Gardenaire at River Ranch of Lafayette, Steve's Flowers of 
     Lafayette, Floral Design Classes of ULL of Lafayette, 
     Flower's Etc. of Lafayette, Sam's Club--Floral Dept. of 
     Lafayette, Louisiana Wholesale Florists, Aveda Institute of 
     Lafayette, JM French Skin Care Line of Rayne, Studio One 2 
     One of Lafayette, Royal Day Spa & Salon of Lafayette, The 
     Client Salon & Day Spa of Abbeville, Creative Memories 
     Photography, Robin May Photography of Lafayette, Ken Romero 
     Photographer, Shane Falgout, Photographer, Dominick Cross 
     Photography, Fast Forward Multi-Media of Lafayette, Regent 
     Broadcasting of Lafayette.
       Dr. Paul Baker, Beth Fontenot, Mike Vidallier, Lynn 
     Broussard and Company, Kurt Boudreaux, Tommy Benoit String 
     Quartet, Limousines Limited of Lafayette, Diamond Limousine 
     Inc. of Lafayette, Gabriel's Jewelers, WHC, Inc., Shady Acres 
     of Abbeville, Crystal Cottage of Lafayette, Armentor Jewelers 
     of Abbeville, Jean's Bridal Accessories of Patterson, Jolie 
     Mariee ``Weddings By Anne,'' Best Western Hotel Acadiana of 
     Lafayette, Right Angle of Lafayette, Special T Ice Company of 
     Abbeville, and Pictage, Inc. of Torrance, CA.

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