[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 12]
[House]
[Page 15928]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




IN HONOR OF THE MEMORIAL RIFLE SQUAD AT FORT SNELLING NATIONAL CEMETERY

  (Mr. KLINE asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. KLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the remarkable 
accomplishments of the members of the Memorial Rifle Squad at Fort 
Snelling National Cemetery. These men set an example of selfless 
service for all Americans.
  Since June 19, 1979, the Fort Snelling Memorial Rifle Squad has 
performed a critical service by providing a military cemetery burial 
service for honorably discharged veterans. Over the past 25 years, the 
rifle squad has conducted 42,000 funerals, free of charge, at the 
request of families and veterans organizations. The first squad boasted 
six members, the youngest of whom was 50 years old. Today, the ages of 
the more than 100 members of the rifle squad range from 26 to 87, 
averaging a spry 71.6 years.
  Mr. Speaker, these men never miss a funeral, braving the brutal cold, 
snow and wind of our Minnesota winters. Mr. Speaker, the members of the 
Memorial Rifle Squad have unselfishly given to our country through 
their own military service and continue that tradition today by 
honoring their fellow veterans. I commend their remarkable 
accomplishments and thank them for their service.

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