[Pages S6502-S6503]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                              Veterans Day

  Mr. TUBERVILLE. Mr. President, yesterday, we celebrated Veterans Day. 
On this day, we honor the brave men and women who have valiantly served 
and sacrificed to protect us and secure our liberties, both in times of 
war and in times of peace.
  We are especially thankful to those veterans who were permanently 
injured as a result of their service. They sacrificed their safety to 
protect America. We are deeply grateful to these veterans.
  It is difficult for words alone to express how appreciative we are of 
America's veterans and their families.
  To the Gold Star families, your service to our country does not go 
unnoticed. America will never forget the sacrifices your families have 
made in service to this great Nation. I want to acknowledge your 
dedication to honoring the memory of your fallen family members, who 
paid the ultimate price.
  We are forever indebted to those who have worn the uniform in the 
Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and Space Force. I hope 
all Americans can commit to serving our veterans with the same amount 
of devotion they had when fighting for our great Nation.
  This national holiday began 105 years ago when President Woodrow 
Wilson declared November 11 as ``Armistice Day.'' This marked the 1-
year anniversary of the conclusion of World War I. In 1947, a World War 
II veteran named Raymond Weeks, of Birmingham, AL--my State--led a 
movement asking the Army Chief of Staff, then a general named Dwight D. 
Eisenhower, to expand Armistice Day to include all veterans, not just 
the ones from World War I. Seven years later, after becoming President, 
President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed national Veterans Day into law, 
reflecting the wishes of that great Alabamian named Raymond Weeks. 
Alabama is proud of Mr. Weeks for that great donation.
  Alabama is also proud to be home to 400,000 veterans. We are thankful 
for these brave Alabamians and the more than 19 million U.S. veterans 
living across the world.
  We thank you for your dedication, the sacrifices you made, and the 
courage you displayed to ensure that America remains, as Abraham 
Lincoln said, the last, best hope on Earth.
  Today, I will recognize three Alabama veterans who honorably served 
in our Nation's military. With each of them, you will hear how their 
service to America did not end when their time in the military came to 
an end. They have continued to contribute to their communities long 
after taking off their uniforms. They continue to uplift and inspire 
others around them, including myself. I would like to honor their 
commitment by thanking them today.
  Sgt. Ricardo Jaramillo is one of these great veterans, from Harvest, 
AL. Ricardo joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1976 at the age of 18. He 
deployed around the world, where he helped maintain American drones and 
surface-to-air missiles. He later became an instructor at the Redstone 
Arsenal in Huntsville, AL, preparing the next generation to protect our 
national security.
  Ricardo retired from the military in 1999 after 23 years of service, 
but his commitment to what America stands for doesn't end there. 
Ricardo wanted to continue serving his fellow man. After committing his 
life to Christ, Ricardo became a missionary so that he could spread 
hope to those in need all around the world.
  Now Ricardo takes multiple trips a year to the mountain villages in 
Guatemala with his two granddaughters, Gloria and Judiana. He credits 
the training he received as a marine for

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preparing him to withstand the tough conditions that he experiences on 
his mission trips.
  Ricardo's lifelong dedication to serving others is an example to all 
of us.
  Thank you, Ricardo.
  I would also like to recognize SCPO Wayne Weeks of Geneva, AL. Wayne 
was motivated to join the U.S. Navy by his four uncles, who served in 
World War II. One of Wayne's uncles lost his life just 4 days after 
turning 21 years old during an Allied invasion of Italy.
  Wayne recalls attending his uncle's funeral as a small child and felt 
inspired to serve in the military as soon as he could. In 1953, at the 
age of 18, he courageously answered this calling and joined the Navy. 
Wayne traveled the oceans across the world, keeping our aircraft 
prepared for combat. He would serve until the end of the Vietnam war in 
1975. Despite the domestic turmoil and protests around that time, Wayne 
looks back positively on his time in the military.
  Wayne's determination to see a difficult war through from the 
beginning to the end demonstrates his integrity to finish the job he 
started. Wayne embodies the American grit that is foundational to our 
military servicemembers who have kept our country safe and the torch of 
liberty burning bright.
  Alabama is proud of Wayne and his wonderful wife Helen.
  Thank you for your service, Wayne.
  Finally, the strength of our military is dependent on the next 
generation of warriors who believe in our country and are willing to 
defend it. No one demonstrates this next generation of courage better 
than PO2 Alex Vogt of Hoover, AL.
  Alex says he felt he had a duty as an American who had benefited from 
the many opportunities our country offers to give back by joining the 
military, so he enlisted as a nuclear mechanic in the U.S. Navy in 
2016, deploying around the world to maintain our submarines. His final 
mission was decommissioning the USS Olympia submarine before he was 
discharged in 2021.
  When asked what Veterans Day means to him, Alex was quick to note the 
importance of using this day to show our gratitude for all veterans and 
their families. Alex and his wife Anna are now passing along this 
patriotic spirit to their twin boys, Charlie and Thomas.
  We want to thank you for your service, Alex. You are truly an 
inspiration to us all.
  These are just three Alabama veterans who sacrificed so much by 
serving our country. There are so many others who are also willing to 
give their lives for the great country that we have.
  I am reminded of my father, Charles Tuberville III, a World War II 
veteran. My father was one of the brave, young soldiers who landed and 
fought on Utah Beach on June 6, 1944. My dad remains an inspiration for 
me to this day. I will never forget his service to our country.
  As President Reagan said, ``Veterans have given their best for all of 
us, and we must continue to do our best by them.'' By observing 
Veterans Day this year, I hope we are encouraged to continue giving 
veterans our best.
  When you see a man or woman in uniform, please--please--take the time 
and thank them for their service. Because of their service and 
sacrifice, America remains a great beacon of freedom for generations to 
come.
  May God bless our veterans and their families.
  I yield the floor.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from Oregon.
  Mr. MERKLEY. Mr. President, I echo the comments of my colleague 
regarding the service of our veterans. They have stood up for us 
overseas, and we must stand up for them back here at home.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. CASSIDY. I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum 
call be rescinded.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so 
ordered.