[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 8387]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




LITTLE HOMETOWN SOLDIERS OF ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA BRING GREAT COMFORT 
                       THROUGH MUSIC AND PRAYERS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. C.W. BILL YOUNG

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 8, 2008

  Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Madam Speaker, with their voices of angels, the 
Little Hometown Soldiers of St. Petersburg, Florida bring the greatest 
of comfort and joy to the families of our men and women in uniform who 
have deployed around the world to protect our freedom.
  This unique group of children ranging in age from 3 to 16, was 
founded in 2003 by Elaine Hopkins to speak in a special way to the 
youngest family members of our deployed servicemembers. Through 
patriotic songs, dramatic plays, cards and letters, and personal 
appearances locally and nationally they provide immeasurable support to 
children and adults alike. They visit Veterans Hospitals and Nursing 
Centers and sing at the funerals of fallen servicemembers. Having been 
with them on a number of these occasions, I can tell you that their 
words and songs of hope and encouragement are most appreciated.
  The Little Hometown Soldiers have performed on national television, 
they have traveled to Washington to perform at the Armed Forces 
Retirement Home, and they sang for our returning troops as part of 
Operation Home Front at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa.
  Madam Speaker, Elaine Hopkins has done a remarkable job with these 
children who are this generation's young patriots. Even at their early 
ages, they understand the shared sacrifice of our troops and their 
families and they understand the true cost of freedom having attended 
the funerals of many of our heroes.
  On Memorial Day weekend, they will perform a special concert entitled 
``I Believe I Can Fly'' as a tribute to the children and families of 
our fallen servicemembers. The event at 3 pm on Sunday, May 25, 2008 at 
The Paladium Theatre in St. Petersburg, Florida is free and open to the 
public.
  Madam Speaker, I wish all my colleagues could be with me that day to 
hear the words of support and encouragement these children bring to 
families who have suffered the greatest of loses. The Little Hometown 
Soldiers are comprised of Camry Moody, Jermaine Lewis, Sherice Johnson, 
RoShaun Dudley, RaShard Dudley, Nehemiah Sonnylal, Johnathan Rosario, 
Isabelle Rosario, Tamaira Charlemagne, Griffin Ford, Sajon Ford, Nykko 
Ford, Phoenix Ford, Keanu Ford, Mariangela Vasquez, Jissel Vasquez, 
Marcos Vasquez, Amanda Puyot, Darquell Pierre, Andrea Young, Prentazia 
Crawford, Shandra Gordon, Erica McCallister, Destine Wilson, Sydney 
Peterman, Iyonna Holloway, Jamesia Holloway, and Gisselle Zayas. They 
are one of our area's and our Nation's greatest treasures and I would 
ask you to join me in saying thank you to them for sharing their gift 
of love and music.

                          ____________________