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[Page S2509]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
TRIBUTE TO SANDY HART
Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, every American has the solemn
responsibility to show our gratitude to the brave men and women who
have answered the call to serve our Nation in uniform. We have an
obligation to honor the values for which they fought and praise their
efforts to preserve the freedom of this great country and the world.
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Allied invasion of the
beaches of Normandy on D-Day. With every step onto the European
continent, the forces of freedom moved closer to ending the reign of
tyranny. Kentucky's World War II veteran community also marks another
important milestone this year. Fifteen years ago, Sandy Hart, of
Wickliffe, organized a groundbreaking project to honor the service of
Kentucky's veterans. Because of Sandy's remarkable leadership, more
than 500 World War II veterans traveled to our Nation's Capital in 2004
to visit the new memorial dedicated in their honor.
It is my privilege to recognize Sandy for her many years of dedicated
service to American veterans, whom she calls true heroes. For many of
the members of the Greatest Generation, a visit to the World War II
Memorial in Washington, DC, simply wouldn't have been possible without
her. Through more than a year and a half of hard work, Sandy, the
daughter of a World War II veteran, collected the necessary donations
to fill 17 busloads and give every veteran the chance to visit their
memorial free of charge. Although shy by nature, she is animated by her
passion for honoring veterans.
To foster greater understanding and appreciation of the sacrifice
veterans made for this county, Sandy and her husband Ray established
the Kentucky Veteran and Patriot Museum. With donations of both funds
and memorabilia, Sandy hopes the museum can be a meaningful place of
engagement and remembrance both for current veterans and for future
generations. With focuses on each of the modern American military
engagements, Sandy's museum pays tribute to the heroes who defended our
Nation.
I am not the only one who admires Sandy for her tireless work in
Kentucky. In his series of books entitled ``Kentucky's Everyday Heroes:
Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary Things,'' Steve Flairty profiled
inspirational men and women throughout the Commonwealth who, in his
words, ``go quietly about their daily living, making others' lives
better, with little or no thoughts of personal benefit.'' Sandy's
remarkable servant leadership clearly belongs among the ranks of these
Kentuckians. Her inclusion in the book is a well-earned tribute to her
lifetime spent in service to others.
To celebrate the 15th anniversary, the Wickliffe community will host
a parade and a ceremony. They will also unveil new memorials to brave
American veterans. This anniversary gathering is the latest opportunity
for Kentuckians to honor our heroes that would be impossible without
Sandy's committed vision. I am sure she would try to avoid the praise I
am offering, but she deserves this and so much more. Sandy is an
inspirational woman who has dedicated her life to the benefit of those
around her, especially our veterans. So I hope my Senate colleagues
will join me in marking this important anniversary and in thanking
Sandy Hart for her extraordinary leadership honoring America's heroes.
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