507-252-9841 (Stephanie Brand - Washington, D.C.)

507-252-9915 (Fax - Washington, D.C.)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 8, 2002

Don’t Forget, Thank a Vet

Bud Fay. Robert Bee. Alphonse Lewandowski. Each has a story of duty, courage and heroism. Each saw friends make the ultimate sacrifice for the cause of freedom. Each deserves our most heartfelt thanks from a grateful nation on this 11th day of November - the day we pay tribute to all our veterans.

Generations of Americans have followed the wisdom of President Theodore Roosevelt when he said, “In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing. The worst thing you can do is nothing.”

From the Barbary Coast to the streets of Kabul, Americans have always sought to do what is right. We have never given way to despots and madmen in the name of artificial peace. More than 48 million men and women have served in our armed forces to do the right thing.

When PFC Warren “Bud” Fay landed at Normandy in 1944 as a rifleman with the 35th Infantry Division, he was one of the thousands of kids who stood up against the worst kind of evil. With grit and by the grace of God, they prevailed.

Four weeks ago I was honored to visit Bud at his home in Homer, Minn. I presented Bud with a Purple Heart, Bronze Star and a host of other awards for his service during World War II. He proudly put on his government issue jacket as we pinned on his medals. He was humble as I thanked him for being a part of the greatest generation.

The sacrifice of Americans who left their homes and lives for the cause of justice across the globe is a testament to what is good and right about our great nation. Because of Americans, Europe was liberated from a madman. Because of Americans, Communism is left to the ash heap of history. Because of Americans, little girls are going to school in Afghanistan.

This commitment is reflected in the stories of veterans like Robert Bee from Rochester. When Robert visited my office, his volumes of clips, photos and notes, were inspiring. Robert was a technical sergeant who waded ashore at Normandy. He lost friends. He was shaken. But he never gave in. He understood the price of freedom. He took his place in the long gray line of American soldiers that have never failed us.

The commitment of our veterans is written with white crosses on the hills of Flanders Field, Belgium; on the cliffs over Omaha Beach; and in Luxembourg at the Battle of the Bulge. We have always fought for the cause of freedom. When the job was done we have always come home.

As they launched their first planes off Afghanistan, Captain Ronald H. Henderson, Jr., of the USS Kennedy (CV-67), said, “This war will not be short, pleasant, or easy. It has already required the sacrifice of our firefighters, our policemen, our soldiers, our sailors, our airmen, and our Marines. More sacrifices will be made. In the end we will win, precisely because we are those things that the terrorists hate - prosperous, happy, tolerant, and most of all, free.” Capt. Henderson and his crew continue the line of freedom’s saviors.

Alphonse Lewandowski of Northfield, Minn., held a spot in that line. He took command of his platoon after their sergeant had been killed. As the battle raged, Alphonse was shot. Instead of retreating to get medical help, he led his troops to victory. It wasn’t until he returned to the United States much later that he used a pocketknife to remove bullet fragments from his arm. I was honored to present the Purple Heart to Alphonse for his commitment to his fellow soldiers and his country.

On this Veteran’s Day, let us reflect on the sacrifices of generations of citizen soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines. We should give thanks to heroes like Bud, Robert and Alphonse. They represented the millions of ordinary Americans who did extraordinary things in the defense of liberty.

May God bless our veterans and may God continue to bless America.

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