[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 18203]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


                        RECOGNIZING VETERANS DAY

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                   HON. AUMUA AMATA COLEMAN RADEWAGEN

                           of american samoa

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, November 16, 2015

  Mrs. RADEWAGEN. Mr. Speaker, as we come together today to recognize 
the service of all who have served in our nation's armed forces, let us 
take a moment to remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in 
defense of our freedoms and could not be here today to join in the 
celebration. Let us also remember those young men and women who at this 
very moment are in far off lands, standing between the forces of 
oppression and freedom loving people everywhere.
  We must also not forget the sacrifices made by the families of our 
service members, who go long periods of time without seeing their loved 
ones, and often have to perform the duties of two parents, while the 
other willfully places themselves in harm's way for our grateful 
nation.
  As you know, our beautiful island, while small geographically in 
comparison to other states and territories, has the highest rate of 
enlistment into our nation's armed forces, a fact that I persistently 
remind Congress of. In fact, it is 10 times that of the states. This 
means that in American Samoa, today is just a little more special, and 
I want to personally salute all from our island who have served.
  May God continue to bless the United States and those who stand to 
protect her.




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