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DEMOCRATIC PRESS RELEASE
September 18, 2008
-------------------------
House Passes Legislation to Honor Nation’s
Veterans
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
On Wednesday, September 17, 2008, Bob Filner (D-CA), Chairman of the
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, announced that the House of
Representatives passed a resolution to honor the dedication and service
that state veterans homes have provided for the past 120 years. Chairman
Filner (D-CA) also thanked his colleagues for passing legislation to honor
three great veterans by naming VA facilities after them. He thanked their
families, their communities and all those that have had the privilege to
know and work with these heroes.
The following bills were considered and approved by the House of
Representatives:
H.Res. 1335 celebrates the 120-year partnership between the federal
government and state veterans homes. In 1888, federal aid was authorized
for the first time to alleviate the burden of states in operating these
homes. The primary mission of the National Association of State Veterans
Homes is to ensure that each veteran receives the benefits, services,
long-term care, and respect each veteran deserves.
S. 2339 designates the Department of Veterans Affairs clinic in Alpena,
Michigan, as the “Lieutenant Colonel Clement C. Van Wagoner Department of
Veterans Affairs Clinic.” Lt. Col. Van Wagoner was in combat for 600 days,
being wounded on five different occasions. He was also one of only 32
survivors of the 1,800 soldiers who landed with the 1st Infantry Division
at Omaha Beach on D-Day. After World War II, Lt. Col. Van Wagoner
continued to serve Michigan and his country by commanding a battalion of
the Michigan National Guard, until retiring in 1967. Van Wagoner was the
recipient of the combat infantry badge, seven bronze stars, four silver
stars and five purple hearts, among other honors.
Chairman Filner spoke in support of S. 2339: “Lt. Col. Van Wagoner’s
record of accomplishments should be a reminder to us all of the heroic
personal sacrifices that have been made by great Americans in the service
of our nation. The courage to fight on in the face of such peril speaks
volumes about the strength of character Lt. Col. Van Wagoner possessed.”
 H.R.
5736 designates the Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic in
Gadsden, Alabama, as the “Colonel Ola Lee Mize Veterans Clinic.” M/Sgt.
Mize, was a member of Company K, who distinguished himself by conspicuous
gallantry and outstanding courage above and beyond the call of duty in
action against the enemy. During his fearless actions, he was blown down
by artillery and grenade blast three times, but each time returned to his
position, tenaciously fighting and successfully repelling hostile attacks.
When he observed a friendly machinegun position being overrun, he
immediately fought his way to the position, killing ten of the enemy and
dispersing the remainder.
Chairman Filner said, “The Medal of Honor is awarded in the name of
Congress to a person who distinguished himself conspicuously by gallantry
and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty
while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States. Colonel
Mize’s service was one of personal bravery. He clearly distinguished
himself by exhibiting tremendous courage. He served our country by going
beyond the call of duty while facing the enemy, and was willing to risk
his own life to protect the lives of others.”
H.R. 1594 designates the Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic
in Hermitage, Pennsylvania, as the “Michael A. Marzano Department of
Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic.” Sgt. Michael Marzano was killed while
serving in Iraq as the result of an explosion caused by a suicide vehicle
borne IED. Sgt. Marzano was a member of the Mobile Assault Platoon 7, 3d
Battalion, 25th Marine regiment, 4th Marine Division who helped protect
the hospital patient ward in Al-Anbar Province, Iraq, on May 8, 2005. His
selfless actions allowed the remaining Marines to secure the hospital and
protect the patients.
Chairman Filner offered the following statement on H.R. 1594: “It takes a
special kind of courage to volunteer one’s self to serve in harm’s way for
the good of our nation. Sgt. Marzano volunteered twice to serve as a
member of our military armed forces. For his last tour, Sgt. Marzano
enlisted with a Marine Reserve unit with the specific intention of serving
in Iraq. Our grateful nation joins the Hermitage community in honoring the
memories and saluting the bravery of Sgt. Marzano.”
-------------------------
posted by Larry
Scott
Founder and Editor
VA Watchdog dot Org
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