[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 7]
[Senate]
[Page 9068]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         WORLD WAR II VETERANS

  Mr. TESTER. Mr. President, finally, let me shift gears to another 
topic I care deeply about; that is, taking care of our veterans. This 
weekend a group of World War II veterans from Montana will be visiting 
our Nation's capital. With a great deal of honor and respect, I extend 
a hearty Montana welcome to each and every one of them.
  Together, they will visit the World War II Memorial and share stories 
about their service. This journey will no doubt bring about a lot of 
memories. I hope it will give them a deep sense of pride also.
  What they achieved together almost 70 years ago was remarkable. That 
memorial is a testament to the fact that a grateful nation will never 
forget what they did nor what they sacrificed. To us, they were the 
greatest generation. They left the comforts of their family and their 
communities to confront evil from Iwo Jima to Bastogne. Together, they 
won the war in the Pacific by conquering an empire and liberated a 
continent by defeating Hitler and the Nazis.
  To them, they were simply doing their jobs. They enlisted in 
unprecedented numbers to defend our freedoms and our values. They 
represented the very best of us and made us proud.
  From a young age I remember playing the bugle at the memorial 
services of veterans of the first two world wars. It instilled in me a 
profound sense of respect I will never forget.
  Honoring the service of every generation of American veterans is a 
Montana value. I deeply appreciate the work of the Big Sky Honor 
Flight, a nonprofit organization that made this trip possible.
  To the World War II veterans making the trip this weekend, I salute 
you. We will always be grateful, and we will never forget your service 
or sacrifice.

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