[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 7]
[House]
[Page 9443]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         ARMY'S 240TH BIRTHDAY

  (Mr. WILSON of South Carolina asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, Sunday marks the 240th 
birthday of the United States Army. Established on June 14, 1775, as 
the Continental Army, the U.S. Army faithfully protects American 
families.
  I am grateful to represent Fort Jackson, the largest initial-entry 
training facility in the U.S. Army. Last month, I attended Fort 
Jackson's change of command, where I was honored to recognize Major 
General Bradley Becker and Brigadier General Roger Cloutier for their 
leadership and dedicated service.
  As the son of an Army Air Corps Flying Tiger of the 14th Air Force 
and as the father of three sons currently serving in the South Carolina 
Army National Guard and myself as a veteran of the Army Reserve in the 
South Carolina Army National Guard, I am grateful to know firsthand of 
the competence and patriotism of our servicemembers.
  Twenty-five years ago today, I visited the Berlin Wall and was denied 
entry into East Germany at the Brandenburg Gate. Now, more countries 
than ever live in freedom and democracy than in the history of the 
world due to the success of the U.S. military.
  Today is the anniversary of President Ronald Reagan's proclamation, 
``Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall'' in 1987, proving peace through 
strength.
  In conclusion, God bless our troops, and may the President, by his 
actions, never forget September the 11th in the global war on 
terrorism.
  God bless the U.S. Army.

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