[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1542]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


      TRIBUTE TO NEW VETERANS AND PURPLE HEART RECIPIENTS MEMORIAL

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                       HON. SHELLEY MOORE CAPITO

                            of west virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 17, 2007

  Mrs. CAPITO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a new 
memorial in my district that honors our veterans and Purple Heart 
recipients.
  The new memorial was unveiled July 9, 2007 at the Veterans Affairs 
Hospital in Martinsburg, WV. The ceremony was officiated by the 
Martinsburg Chapter 646 of the Military Order of the Purple Heart.
  The Purple Heart and Veterans Memorial is 1 of 2 in West Virginia and 
1 of 110 throughout the whole Nation to honor our military men and 
women. Former Martinsburg VA Director Fernando Rivera came up with the 
idea after he visited a similar memorial in the neighboring State of 
Maryland. The Martinsburg Chapter 646 of the Military Order of the 
Purple Heart worked with the VA center to build the memorial at the 
main entrance of the facility.
  Cy Kammeier, commander of the Martinsburg Chapter 646 of the Military 
Order of the Purple Heart, dedicated the memorial to ``those who gave 
some, and for the next of kin, those who gave all.''
  As this year brings the 75th anniversary of the revival of the Purple 
Heart, it gives me a great privilege to recognize those who helped make 
this memorial a success. I am honored to serve the citizens of the 
Second District of West Virginia, many of whom continue to proudly 
represent our State in the Armed Forces. Memorials like the one in 
Martinsburg are a reminder of the sacrifices that so many men and women 
have made in order to protect our freedoms and liberties throughout our 
Nation's history.

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