Recognizing the Marines of Company M (or "Mike Company") of the 3rd Battalion, 7th Regiment, 1st Marine Division on the occasion of their 25th Annual Reunion.

Madam Speaker, I rise to applaud today's passage of H. Res. 541 by unanimous consent to recognize the Marines of Company ``M,'' or ``Mike Company,'' on the occasion of their 25th annual reunion. I am proud that men in my home State of Nebraska served in this distinguished unit.

In fact, former Marine Commandant General Chuck Krulak and General Tom Draude served together in Vietnam in this unit. The U.S. Marine Corps told me that during General Krulak's tenure as CMC, he often took the opportunity in speeches to extol the heroism of fellow Marines from Mike Company--in particular Tom Draude, a former Commander of M/3/7 who was awarded the Silver Star for heroism in a 1966 action.

The Marines of Mike Company served honorably and heroically in the Vietnam war from July 1965 to October 1970. Their service in defense of freedom, liberty and political self determination for the South Vietnamese people earned the unit numerous citations and commendations for valor, including:

The Presidential Unit Citation Streamer with 2 Bronze Stars;

Navy Unit Commendation Streamer;

Meritorious Unit Commendation Streamer with 2 Bronze Stars;

National Defense Service Streamer;

Vietnam Service Streamer with 2 Silver Stars and 3 Bronze Stars;

Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Streamer; and

The Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation Civil Actions Streamer.

The Men of Mike Company were the subject of a 1968 documentary entitled ``A Face of War,'' which accurately portrayed the sights and sounds of Marines performing their duties in a combat zone. My constituent, retired Captain James Sackett, appeared in the film as part of the Mike Company ``Band of Brothers'' who displayed their courage under fire on behalf of all U.S. Marines.

The Marines of Mike Company, along with their loved ones, have held a reunion every year since 1983. They have formed the Mike 3/7 Vietnam Association to honor the memories of their fallen comrades; celebrate the lives of their surviving comrades; express profound appreciation to their families and loved ones; recognize the monumental sacrifices and achievements necessary for freedom; and to hold forth their contribution to the Marine Corps legacy of courage, patriotism and military excellence as an example to future generations.

Americans everywhere owe a debt of gratitude to the Marines of Mike Company for their selfless dedication to duty and their admirable display of courage under fire. The U.S. House of Representatives is proud to honor their sacrifices on the occasion of their 25th annual reunion.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Armed Services be discharged from further consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 541) recognizing the Marines of Company M (or ``Mike Company'') of the 3rd Battalion, 7th Regiment, 1st Marine Division on the occasion of their 25th Annual Reunion, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.