[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 13]
[Senate]
[Pages 18043-18044]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




       WELCOMING RITCHIE COUNTY VETERANS TO THE NATION'S CAPITAL

 Mr. MANCHIN. Mr. President, I wish to recognize with, 
overwhelming pride, a group of courageous veterans from Ritchie County, 
WV, who are visiting our Nation's Capital this Thursday. On behalf of 
our State and Nation, it is a true honor and privilege to recognize 
these heroic men and women and their families for their brave service 
and sacrifice as they tour the memorials built in their honor.
  I have always said that West Virginia is one of the most patriotic 
States in this great Nation, and we are so proud of the number of 
veterans and Active-Duty members who have served our country with honor 
and distinction. The 20 veterans and their family members who are 
traveling to Washington, DC, embody our State's history and 
contributions to the freedom of this Nation. They may represent 
different generations of warriors, but no matter the war or the era, no 
matter the rank, each and every one of them courageously answered the 
call of duty to defend our Nation and protect the freedoms we enjoy as 
Americans. In our time of need, they stepped forward and said, ``I'll 
do it--I'll protect this country.''
  This trip will be a truly moving and special experience for these 
veterans, many of whom have never been to the memorials that were built 
for their service. It will include wreath-laying ceremonies at the 
monuments that commemorate the wars in which many have served, 
including the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial, 
and the National World War II Memorial. They will also be touring 
Arlington National Cemetery and have private time for a wreath-laying 
ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
  Mr. President, it is also tremendously important to recognize that 
this visit would not have been possible without the hard work and 
determination of an inspirational young Ritchie County native, Kirsten 
Seese. Kirsten is a Ritchie County High School senior who aspires to be 
a nurse one day. She was inspired to coordinate this trip as her 
prenursing senior project after hearing about a group of veterans that 
had recently traveled to Washington, DC, to visit the memorials 
sponsored by their community.
  Kirsten wasted no time. She went to businesses in Ritchie County with 
the goal of organizing a 100 percent free veterans appreciation tour. 
In just 3 weeks, Kirsten raised enough money for 20 veterans, their 
family members, and local volunteers to visit to Washington, DC, 
absolutely free. They will not have to pay for any meals or 
refreshments and will receive a commemorative shirt and a hat. The 
funding will also go towards the wreaths for the ceremonies that will 
be held at each memorial and a group photo at the Capitol to 
commemorate their special day.
  I am so proud of Kirsten. She has truly set an extraordinary example 
for her generation by giving back to those who have served this country 
and those who have protected our freedoms. It is the devotion and drive 
of young people like Kirsten that bring our communities together. I 
wish her the best of luck in her future endeavors, and I commend her 
for making an enormous impact on the lives of our veterans through this 
veterans appreciation tour.
  Mr. President, I am filled with pride every time I meet the patriots 
who have served our country, and I am so pleased to welcome West 
Virginia's most courageous veterans who are all heroes to Washington, 
DC. I encourage all of my colleagues to join me in saluting them. They 
truly inspire us all as we are reminded of their selfless service. It 
is because of their bravery that all Americans enjoy the greatest 
liberties and freedoms in the world. We whole heartedly thank 
them.

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