Thomas Daschle: “I am looking forward to returning to South Dakota next week to join the citizens of my home state in honoring the men…”

“I am looking forward to returning to South Dakota next week to join the citizens of my home state in honoring the men and women who have so faithfully served our nation in the armed forces. While all those who have given themselves to the call of duty will be on our minds on Tuesday, November 11, 1997, there is one family that will especially be on my mind. The Villhauers of Hosmer, South Dakota hold a distinction that may well separate them from any other family in this nation. Mr. and Mrs. Fred Villhauer raised 7 sons in Hosmer, all of whom served this nation concurrently during World War II. Fred Jr., John, Henry, Albert, Arthur, Edmund and Herman Villhauer all answered the call of this country, and laid their lives on the line for the security and ideals of the United States. Six of the brothers would survive the second world war and return to the United States. Albert, unfortunately, was killed during the retaking of the Philippine Islands on January 30, 1945. Fred Jr. returned to my hometown of Aberdeen where he lived until several years ago. The 5 other brothers are all alive today. I should add that an 8th Villhauer brother, Paul, was too young to serve in World War II. But he joined the Army shortly after the war and eventually served during the Korean War. Paul Villhauer has also passed away. Service to the United States seemed to run in the family for the Villhauers.”