Political Quotes

“Mr. President, our Nation recently celebrated Veterans Day, one of the most sacred days on our national calendar. Across the land, grateful Americans paid tribute to the brave men and women who have defended our freedom throughout our history. Today, nearly 20 million Americans hold the title of veteran. That includes almost 110,000 men and women in my State of Maine, one of the highest percentages in the country. It is estimated that some 48 million patriots have served in uniform since our Nation's founding. Among them is a very special group of more than 3,500 heroes who have received the Medal of Honor, the highest award for valor in action. Although more than 160 years have passed since the medal's inception, its foundation of courage and sacrifice have remained constant. More than 100 Mainers have earned the Medal of Honor. In observation of Memorial Day last May, Emily Burnham of the ``Bangor Daily News'' authored a fascinating story profiling four of them. I am delighted to insert her inspiring story into the Congressional Record and to recap briefly the heroism she described. Early in the Civil War, fisherman Andrew Tozier enlisted in the 2nd Maine Infantry. He was wounded at the Battle of Gaines Mill in Virginia and captured. After being released by the Confederates, he joined the 20th Maine Infantry Regiment under Lieutenant Colonel Joshua Chamberlain. At Gettysburg, he was the Regiment's color bearer.…”