[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 12286-12287]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


HONORING WORLD WAR II VETERANS PRIVATE THURMAN McMILLEN, PRIVATE FIRST 
 CLASS J.B. BURKS, CORPORAL LELAND WHITEHORN, AND PRIVATE FIRST CLASS 
                             JAMES KNIGHTON

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. TRAVIS W. CHILDERS

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 11, 2008

  Mr. CHILDERS. Madam Speaker, I proudly rise to welcome a group of 
World War II veterans from Mississippi's First District to Washington, 
DC. I am honored to welcome these members of the greatest generation to 
Washington to visit the National World War II Memorial. Built to honor 
the 16 million Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen, Coast Guardsmen, and 
Merchant Mariners who served our Nation during World War II, the 
National World War II Memorial serves as a reminder of their sacrifice 
and service to millions of visitors.
  The members of this special group are some of the few remaining 
survivors of the Battle of Iwo Jima. This battle was strategic to 
American success in the Pacific Theater and marked the first attack by 
U.S. troops on the Japanese home islands. Iwo Jima saw some of the 
fiercest fighting and lasted more than a month as American service 
members bravely fought against the heavily fortified positions of the 
Japanese Imperial Army.
  After landing on the third day of pitched battle, Private Thurman 
McMillen fought courageously for thirty three days.
  Private First Class J.B. Burks stayed on Iwo Jima for twenty nine 
days after his arrival on the first day of battle.

[[Page 12287]]

  Corporal Leland Whitehorn arrived on the islands on the first day of 
the fight and was wounded on his third day.
  Private First Class James Knighton also served honorably during the 
Battle of Iwo Jima.
  On behalf of Mississippi's First District, I am honored to offer our 
deepest appreciation to these brave men. During the current time of war 
it is most appropriate to recognize both today's troops and their 
forefathers. Our community is proud to be home to veterans who have 
defended our freedom in the past and to our soldiers who continue to 
fight for freedom today. I know that my colleagues will join me in 
welcoming these courageous warriors to our Nation's capital and 
thanking them, these soldiers of the greatest generation, for their 
invaluable service to our country.

                          ____________________