[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 12]
[House]
[Pages 16733-16734]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  TRIBUTE TO THE GENERAL PATTON MEMORIAL MUSEUM AND THE WORLD WAR II 
                         DESERT TRAINING CENTER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MARY BONO MACK

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, November 3, 2011

  Mrs. BONO MACK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the 
General Patton Memorial Museum located in the 45th Congressional 
District and in the center of the historic military landscape--General 
Patton's World War II Desert Training Center.
  Through the hard work and dedication of local supporters, volunteers 
and donors, the museum preserves artifacts from the major conflicts of 
the 20th and 21st centuries and serves an important role educating the 
public on U.S. military history. In cooperation with the U.S. Bureau of 
Land Management, this historically significant land will be protected 
for future generations to enjoy.

[[Page 16734]]

  I want to especially thank Margit Chiriaco Rusche and her family who 
have given selflessly of their time, energy and finances to preserve 
the memory of General Patton's presence in our community. Generations 
of American families have been rewarded with a glimpse of America's 
military history through this unique facility, and our community has 
been enriched by the one-of-a-kind historical artifacts preserved at 
this site.
  Located in the heart of the Desert Training Center, the General 
Patton Memorial Museum was established on November 11, 1988, to honor 
the memory of General George Patton. The museum contains exhibits 
ranging from World War I through the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars and 
honors the service and sacrifice of America's veterans.
  In the early days of World War II, the greatest global conflict our 
world has ever seen, the War Department recognized the need to train 
troops to withstand the rigors of battle over rough desert terrain. 
Thus, the Desert Training Center, formally known as the California-
Arizona Maneuver Area, was established in 1942. Led by Major General 
George S. Patton Jr., the training camp trained 1 million troops from 
1942-1944.
  When the direction of the war shifted to the Allies' favor in 1944, 
the camp was closed, ending the largest simulated theater of operations 
in the history of military maneuvers. While most of the structures were 
removed, much of the infrastructure, including rock-lined streets, 
staging areas, flag circles, and tent areas remain.
  It is my hope that the General Patton Memorial Museum and the World 
War II Desert Training Center will serve as a powerful reminder of how 
our nation's freedom has been preserved by the dedication of our armed 
forces. While no single tribute can fully honor their sacrifice, this 
memorial offers a chance for our community to stand together in 
honoring the men and women who have fought under the Stars and Stripes. 
I am certain that any patriotic American would benefit from a visit to 
the General Patton Memorial Museum and I encourage all those traveling 
to this region to consider visiting.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I ask the United States 
House of Representatives to join me in recognizing the General Patton 
Memorial Museum and the World War II Desert Training Center.

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