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 11^th^ 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 35^th^ 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.