[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 18]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 24152-24153]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                          TRIBUTE TO VETERANS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BEN CHANDLER

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 26, 2005

  Mr. CHANDLER. Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor that I rise today 
to pay tribute to the veterans of this country. November 11, 2005 is 
Veteran's Day. On this day, there will be ceremonies across our Nation 
honoring the service and sacrifice of the men and women who have served 
in our armed forces. In honor of these heroes, there will be a ceremony 
at the VA Medical Center on Leestown Road in Lexington, KY.
  Kentuckians have always been willing to make the ultimate sacrifice 
for their country. Currently, there are more than 370,000 veterans who 
call Kentucky home. These men and women have inspired our citizens for 
generations. As our men and women continue to return home from battle 
in Iraq and Afghanistan, we must honor their service and pay tribute to 
those who served before them.
  Armistice Day, the original name of Veteran's Day, was established on 
the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice, which ended the first 
World War. The men and women who sacrificed and served during WWI were 
honored and remembered, in hopes that their service would be the last 
time American soldiers were called upon for such duties. Regrettably, 
our men and women continue to answer the call. Fortunately, our VA 
Medical Centers continue to provide the care that our veterans so 
desperately need.
  It is the spirit of those who work at these centers, the spirit of 
the American people and the will of the American armed forces that keep 
this country strong. Veteran's Day should serve as a reminder to every 
American that our armed forces, both of past and present, are made up 
of individuals of great courage, character and honor.
  It is our duty to ensure that our children and grandchildren never 
forget our country's finest heroes and always know their sacrifice. We 
must take the time to pay tribute to our fallen heroes, not just on 
Veteran's Day, but everyday. Their sacrifices and those of our military 
families are freedom's foundation. Without the brave efforts of all the 
soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines and their families, our country 
would not stand so boldly, shine so brightly and live so freely.
  The United States has attained its position of strength and 
prosperity thanks to the dedication of our veterans and our armed 
forces. No other group of Americans has stood stronger and braver for 
our democracy than our troops and veterans. We must always celebrate, 
honor and remember these courageous and faithful men and women.

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