[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 20]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 27628]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 COMMENDING THE RABUN COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOR HOSTING THE 11TH 
                  ANNUAL VETERAN'S APPRECIATION DINNER

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                           HON. PAUL C. BROUN

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Saturday, November 7, 2009

  Mr. BROUN of Georgia. Madam Speaker, on December 23, 1776, just days 
before the Continental Army won a great victory at the Battle of 
Trenton, General George Washington asked aides to read passages from 
Thomas Paine's The Crisis. That great book, which lifted the spirits of 
the army from the darkest depths, famously begins, ``These are the 
times that try men's souls: The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot 
will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he 
that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.''
  On November 11, Veterans Day, many celebrations will be held to honor 
those who have served this great country. We will honor them and 
applaud their efforts because they are not ``summer soldiers'' or 
``sunshine patriots,'' but instead they answered the call in many of 
our Nation's most turbulent times.
  At one such event, the Rabun County Chamber of Commerce will honor 
hundreds of veterans, spouses, and widows/widowers for their service to 
our Nation. This will be the 11th annual Veteran's Appreciation Dinner, 
and I believe it is a great testament to the patriotism and love for 
country that these chamber members have worked so hard to make this 
event possible. Veterans of every conflict from World War II to Iraq 
and Afghanistan are expected to attend.
  As a marine, I understand how much of a sacrifice it is to serve 
one's country in the Armed Forces. I know that the many veterans, who 
will be honored in Rabun County and all across this country, did not 
join up to be heroes or win medals. Instead, they heard the call of a 
nation, and they bravely answered. Over the past century, the United 
States has repeatedly faced overwhelming odds as it has fought to 
protect liberty at home as well as abroad. Our thanks and gratitude 
will never be enough to repay the debt this nation owes to all our 
veterans, but we gratefully offer it anyway.
  Because of their service and the grace of God, this country remains 
the greatest nation on Earth. I urge my colleagues to join me in 
honoring our Nation's veterans as well as the wonderful members of the 
Rabun County Chamber of Commerce and all who are honoring those who 
served.

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