[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 17141-17142]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      KINGWOOD HIGH SCHOOL NJROTC

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 13, 2012

  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, Pierre Claeyssens, a Belgian immigrant 
who was rescued by U.S. forces from German occupation in WWII said, 
``To be killed in war is not the worst that can happen. To be lost is 
not the worst that can happen . . . to be forgotten is the worst.'' 
Since 2009, the Kingwood High School Navy Junior Reserve Officer 
Training Corps (NJROTC) has worked to ensure that Mr. Claeyssens' 
sentiments never become reality. The high school continues to 
participate in a community project, which helps to remember and show 
respect for those who have died defending our freedom.
   The program is called Wreaths Across America. The Houston branch 
places wreaths on soldiers' graves every year at Christmas time at the 
Houston National Cemetery. More

[[Page 17142]]

than 26,000 wreaths were placed on graves last year at the Houston 
National Cemetery. This year, KHS NJROTC will present the Colors at 
this year's Wreath Across America Ceremony.
   I rise today to recognize the outstanding achievements of the Navy 
Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps of Kingwood High School. I want 
to thank them for their service to second district of Texas. I 
congratulate them on their many accomplishments that have led to them 
being chosen to present Colors at this year's Wreaths Across America 
Ceremony. I am proud that a well-qualified group of cadets from 
Kingwood will be representing the state of Texas.
   The KHS NJROTC has a history of success since its beginnings four 
years ago. Under the direction of Lieutenant Commander Gregory Boucher 
and Master Chief Damond Banks, the cadets do much more than 
competitions and parades. They are involved in serving their school and 
community, through many different service projects and duties performed 
throughout the year. The cadets volunteer its services for numerous 
color guard events, Veterans Day events, parades and Toys for Tots. The 
Wreaths Across America project is one of their main events. The cadets 
have raised over $70,000 over the past four years for WAA. There are 
countless other local service projects this group participates in 
throughout the community, all of which testify to the quality of 
students at Kingwood High School.
   The cadets' service and patriotism to our nation sets them apart as 
role models to other students. I know that the residents of Kingwood 
are proud of their many accomplishments. I applaud them for their 
tremendous achievement and wish them the best of luck in the future.
   And that's just the way it is.