Charles P. Rose: “Mr. Speaker and my colleagues, I know that you all will join with me in expressing our great sympathy and grief for the…”

“Mr. Speaker and my colleagues, I know that you all will join with me in expressing our great sympathy and grief for the tremendous loss of 15 to 16 paratroopers who died and 82 who were injured yesterday after a collision of military planes at Pope Air Force Base, NC. Pope Air Force Base is in my congressional district, and I express my complete grief and sorrow to the families of those who were either killed or injured. Mr. Speaker, this should remind all of us in America that freedom has a great price. This tragedy is another example of the cost of freedom; men and women risk their lives in times of war and in times of training. Mr. Speaker, it is not possible to have the peace without training. Fifty years ago this June, this same airborne unit, the 82d Airborne Division, jumped into Normandy with Gen. Jim Gavin to help guarantee and achieve the peace in the Second World War's victory. I thank you for remembering, if you will, these men and their families in your prayers. ____________________”