Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include tabular and extraneous material on H.R. 3326.

Madam Chairman, yesterday I was out at Bethesda, and I saw a young fellow that was wounded 2 years ago. And when he was wounded, his internal organs were outside the body for almost 10 days. And he's been putting up with that ever since, until he came back to Bethesda and had an operation just recently, where they were able to take the bag away that he had and restore his internal organs. That's what this bill's all about.

This Defense bill is all about taking care of the troops, making sure they have what they need. Bill Young and I work together, going to the hospital, seeing the wounded. We listen to what they say and what they need. We listen to them at the bases. We had 37 hearings this year, 51 trips that the staff made all over the country to visit the various installations to find out what the problems were.

I was out at Fort Carson where the commanding officer--and this is not something that I'm divulging, this is something that's already known--his one boy was killed in Iraq, and his other son committed suicide before he was sworn in. So he's been emphasizing how do you reduce suicides in the military. The units that came back, we've just found, have had some terrible problems with people, robberies and actually homicide, some of the actual units, at least allegedly. That's what we've seen in the newspaper.

These troops are under a tremendous strain. They're deployed too often. When I talked to the 12 troops there at Fort Carson and Fort Benning, they all told me the biggest single problem is the long deployments and the lack of time at home. And Jerry Lewis, who was chairman of the subcommittee--and Bill will tell you the same thing-- when we talk to the troops, they talk about how they need more time at home. They need to spend some time at home. And even when they're home, they're training. They don't have an opportunity to visit with their families as long as they would like.

We've had hundreds of meetings with Members of Congress, hundreds of input from Members of Congress on the floor and in the committee room, trying to make sure we put a bill together that was bipartisan. We've been partners in this thing the whole way through. And we've tried to make sure--and the thrust of this bill has been for the Department to start hiring more people and getting rid of the contractors, in other words, get rid of contractors and hire people because contractors cost $44,000 more.

Well, we just find every time we turn around we find somebody at the lower level is making all kinds of changes in that policy, and we worry about it. In this bill, we have a number of things that we've done that help, not only military families, but do research for long term. We put the first money in, for instance, military pay. We raised them five tenths of a percent above the request.

First-class medical care is one of the things that we stress. Peer- reviewed research programs. $150 million for breast cancer research, $80 million for prostate cancer research, $30 million for orthopedic research. An amazing thing, the military didn't have any money in for these kinds of things until we stepped in in the subcommittee in the forefront of making sure that that gets done. $472.4 million for family advocacy programs. I could go on and on. I don't want to go too long on this debate.

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Let me reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Kucinich).

Let me just conclude by thanking Bill Young on all of the work he did and all of the rest of the subcommittee on the work they did.

And let me reiterate this is all about the troops being taken care of, making sure they have what they need. We put the full amount that the President requested for the people in Iraq and Afghanistan, and we made sure that we gave them a pay raise. And when I see those troops-- whether it's in the field, at the bases, whether I see them overseas or I see the troops in the hospitals--I have such great admiration for what they do. And we're just trying to make sure they have everything that they need.

The F-22, as the gentleman from Florida says, we're going to argue that later. We would have to have 292 votes in the House; we'd have to have 66 votes in the Senate, so you can see the position I'm in and the problems that we would have if we were to go forward. I just want to make sure that the planes we have are robustly funded.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Chairman, I move that the Committee do now rise.

Madam Speaker, I wish to recognize the heroic efforts of two brothers, fourteen-year-old Kevin Leonard, Jr. and twelve-year-old Shawn Leonard.

Last summer in July of 2008, while the two boys were riding bicycles near their home in Kittanning, Pennsylvania, they saw a man drowning near the Kittanning Riverfront Park. They quickly swam into the Allegheny River where they began to help the victim. Eventually, a nearby fisherman provided life jackets and the boys were able to use them to keep the man afloat while they waited for professional rescue crews to arrive.

While many their age would have been content to let others act, the selfless courage exhibited by these fine young men helped to save another's life. Their quick thinking and reaction was also invaluable as it allowed the man to stay afloat while waiting to be taken back to shore.

In honor of their life-saving effort, the two were presented outstanding citizenship awards by the Pennsylvania State Police.

Madam Speaker, I wish to conclude my remarks by congratulating the Leonard brothers for their fine act of bravery and for their awards. The selfless qualities exhibited by these two young men inspire us all to help others who are in need. I hope that their hard work will be an example for many.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Rory A. Cooper, Ph.D. for his outstanding achievement of winning a gold medal at the 2009 National Veterans Wheelchair Games.

While winning a gold medal is an exceptional achievement by itself, Dr. Cooper has proven himself again and again. Madam Speaker, Dr. Cooper has won a total of five gold medals at the National Veterans Wheelchair Games and has previously held the world record for the 10,000-meter wheelchair race. He has participated and won medals almost every year since he first started competing in 1987. In 1988 he won the bronze medal at the Paralympic Games in Seoul, Korea. He continued to stay active in Paralympic competition by serving as a member of the Steering Committee for the 1996 Paralympic Scientific Congress. He was also the Sports Scientist for the 2008 United States Paralympic Team. In recognition of his achievements at the National Veterans Wheelchair Games, he was featured on a 2009 Cheerios cereal box.

When Dr. Cooper is not competing, he is a researcher in the field of assistive technology design at the University of Pittsburgh's School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences. He is also the Director and Veterans Affairs (VA) Senior Research Career Scientist for the VA Rehabilitation Research and Development Center of Excellence, Codirector of the National Science Foundation Quality of Life Technology Engineering Research Center, a member of the United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs Prosthetics and Special Disability Programs Advisory Committee, and a Director of the Paralyzed Veterans of America Research Foundation. He has published over two hundred peer- reviewed journal articles and two books, Rehabilitation Engineering Applied to Mobility and Manipulation and Wheelchair Selection and Configuration. Dr. Cooper is also a recipient of the Department of the Army's Outstanding Civilian Service Medal for ``exceptional leadership, service, and advocacy of severely injured service members at Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC) and other military medical facilities from October 2004 through May 2008.''

Madam Speaker, Dr. Cooper is truly an inspiration to all to us. I conclude my remarks by commending him for his outstanding achievements.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the accomplishments of Mr. Dominic ``Mickey'' Sgro of Indiana, Pennsylvania. Mr. Sgro will be honored as the 2009 Labor Award recipient at the Blair/Bedford County Central Labor Council's 29th Annual Person of the Year Event.

The spirit of labor runs deep for Mr. Sgro and his family. He is a second generation labor leader. His father was a former business agent for the IUE. Over the course of his career, Mr. Sgro has held a number of various

positions in AFSCME Council 83, based in Duncansville, Pennsylvania. These positions include staff representative, member of the Council Executive Board, and member of the Council Steering Committee. In February of 2006, Mr. Sgro became the staff director of Council 83.

In addition to his service to AFSCME Council 83, Mr. Sgro also spent 20 years working for PennDOT as an equipment operator. He also served the Local 2121 as its president and is now a member of the Retired Public Employees of Pennsylvania (RPEP), Subchapter 8306. He also serves on the Board of the Pennsylvania Employee Benefit Trust Fund (PEBTF) and the Executive Board of the Central Pennsylvania Area Labor Federation, AFL-CIO (Central PA ALF). He is also an alternate vice president to the AFL-CIO.

Over the years Mr. Sgro has been supported by his wife Jaime and his two daughters Danielle and Michelle.

Madam Speaker, I close my remarks by congratulating Mr. Mickey Sgro for the 2009 Labor Award and for all of his accomplishments.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of Ms. Lindsey Nies of Leechburg, Pennsylvania and of the American Red Cross for their work in teaching emergency preparedness and life-saving skills.

On January 14, 2009, Ms. Nies helped save the life of her choking classmate. While eating lunch in their school cafeteria, Ms. Nies noticed that her classmate began to cough and could not breathe. When Ms. Nies asked if she was okay, she could only respond by grabbing at her throat while tears were streaming down her face. While other students went to seek help, Ms. Nies remained calm and administered back blows which dislodged the food that was preventing her classmate from breathing. The skills that Ms. Nies learned from her American Red Cross Health and Safety Services course helped to save her classmate's life.

For her efforts in saving another's life, Ms. Nies has been awarded the highest award given by the American Red Cross, the Certificate of Merit.

In addition to teaching Ms. Nies, the American Red Cross has taught countless numbers of individuals valuable skills so that more lives can be saved. Since 1911, the American Red Cross has presented the Certificate of Merit over 12,000 times, to those who have saved or sustained a life.

Madam Speaker, I conclude my remarks by commending Ms. Lindsey Nies for her efforts in saving another's life and the American Red Cross for teaching Ms. Nies, and many others, invaluable life-saving skills.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 75th Anniversary of Norvelt. This community, located in Mount Pleasant Township in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, was originally named Westmoreland Homestead. It was created to demonstrate how a homesteading community could assist displaced coal miners. In the early 1900s, western Pennsylvania had emerged as the world leader in mining bituminous-coal, but the Great Depression caused the mining industry to falter, causing massive job loss and severe wage reductions.

While driving through impoverished mining towns and witnessing first hand the severe poverty the families were enduring, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt became deeply concerned. Many houses she visited had upwards of ten people sharing one bed and some families were so poor they were living in abandoned coke ovens. Mrs. Roosevelt believed that subsistence housing would provide for a better quality of life for the impoverished citizens. Her husband, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, supported his wife's vision by establishing the homesteading movement in the New Deal. The new homesteading community in Westmoreland County eventually changed its name to ``Norvelt'' in honor of Eleanor Roosevelt.

In contrast to previous ``patch towns,'' where miners were almost entirely dependent on their employers, the new homestead enabled residents to be self-reliant. The community was 772 acres and sustained 254 homes. The new residents, who came from the older, surrounding communities, assisted in the construction of their new residences and were responsible for the painting.

Each modest house came with a tract of land that enabled families to grow their own food. Every family received several dozen chickens, as well as agricultural tools, trees, and bushes. The First Lady also pushed for each home to have a refrigerator and washing machine, as she believed that everyone deserved to have some comforts in life. Personal garages also served as a symbol of hope that one day each family would own its own car. Every month, families would pay rent which ultimately went towards the purchase of their homes.

Today Madam Speaker, as our country faces economic hardship, we can look to the example of the past residents of Norvelt as they worked hard in the hope of a better future.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the service of Colonel Kirk W. Hymes, U.S.M.C., the director of the Joint Non-Lethal Weapons Directorate. After 26 years of honorable and distinguished service to our great nation, Colonel Hymes will be retiring.

Colonel Hymes is a native of Altoona, Pennsylvania and graduated from the United States Naval Academy. After attending the Basic School, he trained at the Field Artillery Officer Basic Course at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He also attended the Amphibious Warfare School in Quantico, Virginia and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces.

Colonel Hymes served in a number of different places and in a variety of capacities, including the Recruiting Station in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania where he served as the Operations Officer and Executive Officer and Twentynine Palms, California where he served with the 5th Battalion, 11th Marines. He also carried out a Unit Deployment to Okinawa, Japan and deployed with the 31st MEU (SOC). Following his return he became the Director of the 11th Marines Artillery Training School.

Subsequently, Colonel Hymes became the Fire Support Operational Test Project Officer at the Marine Corps Operational Test and Evaluation Activity, Quantico, Virginia. After transferring to the 2d Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina he served with the 10th Marine Regiment where he was the Operations Officer and Executive Officer for 2d Battalion, 10th Marines and then the Regimental Operations Officer.

After reporting to Okinawa for duty with III Marine Expeditionary Force, he served in the G-3 Exercise Branch as the South East Asia Exercise Branch Head and Tandem Thrust Exercise Planner. He then returned to Twentynine Palms, California for duty as the Commanding Officer, 3d Battalion, 11th Marines where he deployed the battalion to support Operation Enduring Freedom and then Operation Iraqi Freedom. Colonel Hymes was later assigned to the Expeditionary Force Development Center at the Marine Corps Combat Development Center as the Integration Branch Head and Deputy Director for Operations.

Madam Speaker, throughout his career, Colonel Hymes received many personal awards including the Bronze Star with Combat ``V'', the Meritorious Service Medal with four Gold Stars, the Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon. Upon his retirement, I commend him for his outstanding service and wish him the best of luck in all of his future endeavors.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an outstanding Naval Officer, Captain Tom Carney and to recognize his dedicated service to our Nation. It is a great honor for me to thank Captain Carney and his family for their distinguished service. Captain Carney has proudly and selflessly served our nation for 28 years.

It was during his last assignment as Director of the Secretary of the Navy's Appropriations Matters office that I first came to know Captain Carney. In this capacity, he has proved to be an invaluable link between the Navy and me, my staff, and the Appropriations Committee. Captain Carney has escorted me and other Members of Congress on several occasions as we traveled both home and abroad to review military operations and to confirm the health and welfare of our troops.

On every occasion, Captain Carney performed his duties in an exacting and precise manner. But far more important to me and the members of the Appropriations Committee was the insight he shared with us concerning matters of national security and the Department of the Navy. He clearly understands the role of the Navy in providing for our Nation's security and stability, as well as serving as an ambassador for American values throughout the world.

We have always been able to count on Captain Carney's candor, judgment, and steadfast devotion to duty mixed in with a flair of humor. He was an invaluable asset to me

in Congressional deliberations in all matters regarding our Armed Forces, and his perspective on the needs of the Nation with respect to our sea services will be sorely missed.

Madam Speaker, we all know that behind every servicemember there stands a strong and supportive family, so I also want to recognize the Carney family: his lovely wife Nancy, and his son Ryan. They have been stalwart partners in his service to the United States. We can ill afford to forget that it is the strength of family, and indeed their love and support, that make it possible to honorably serve in uniform.

In closing, on behalf of my colleagues on the Appropriations Committee, I want to express my thanks and appreciation for the special contribution Captain Carney has made during his tenure. I am especially pleased to note that Captain Carney was recently selected for promotion to Rear Admiral. We wish Tom Carney and his family continued success and the traditional naval wish of ``fair winds and following seas.''

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Lieutenant Colonel James E. Leighty, USMC, upon his retirement after twenty years of service to the Marine Corps and to the Nation. My initial experience with Lt. Col. Leighty was when he was selected to serve as a Congressional Fellow in my office in 2004. During this period, he displayed a dedication to duty and a maturity that represent the finest attributes of the men and women wearing our Nation's uniform. After completing his fellowship, Lt. Col. Leighty was assigned to the Pentagon, assuming the vitally important position as the principal Marine Corps Appropriations Liaison Officer. In that capacity, he was the primary source of information and education regarding Marine Corps programs for the Members and staff of the Congress' Appropriations Committees. Lt. Col. Leighty was instrumental in articulating Marine Corps requirements on a wide range of issues, from the needs of our Wounded Warriors and their families to the requirements of Marines on the front lines in Iraq.

In addition, Lt. Col. Leighty often accompanied Members of Congress and their staff on official travel to various locations around the world. During these trips, he was always focused, enthusiastic and totally knowledgeable on the Marine Corps. He provided valuable insights to all those he accompanied.

Lt. Col. Leighty was born in Roseburg, OR and graduated from the University of Rochester in 1989 with a degree in Economics and Political Science, and received his commission through the NROTC program. His various assignments included a tour as a Budget Officer with the Marine Corps Systems Command in Quantico, VA, Deputy Comptroller for the 3d Marine Division in Okinawa, Comptroller for the 12th Marine Corps District aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, and analyst within Programs & Resources, Headquarters Marine Corps. He has attended the Amphibious Warfare School at Quantico, and the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California.

Lt. Col. Leighty's personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.

On behalf of the United States Congress, I wish to express my sincere thanks for his hard work, selfless service, and dedication to the Marine Corps. I want to personally wish him and Jayne continued success in all their future endeavors.

As all the Members know, most of this bill has been bipartisan. Bill Young and I worked almost every detail out, and it is for the troops in the field and the military families at home.

For military personnel, we include--and I noticed there was a Member up not long ago who said what they did on stop-loss. Well, I will tell you who did what on stop-loss, this subcommittee, this appropriation committee did the stop-loss, put $734 million in for 185,000 military servicemembers. Recognizing the hardship placed on troops, we made sure that they will get $500 a month because of the hardship placed on them for an involuntary draft, in a sense.

Additional military pay. We had several hearings on trying to figure out how much money the military needed to take care of the shortage of pay. Finally, we came down to $2.5 billion and we added that to the bill.

TBI and psychological health. Nobody has been more in the forefront than Mr. Young and myself in trying to make sure that we have money. We put an extra $100 million there.

Since 2001, there have been 42,600 diagnosed cases of PTSD and 58,000 servicemembers treated for TBI. Out at Bethesda not long ago, I just saw the new facility for PTSD.

Orthopedic research and treatment. The bill includes $68 million. Nearly two-thirds of combat-related injuries require orthopedic procedures or treatment.

Amputee rehabilitation. We put $20 million in.

Joint family assistance. The bill includes $125.1 above the request and a total of $739 million for family advocacy programs.

Yellow ribbon. The bill provides $238 million for information, services, referrals, and outreach to the reserves for that program.

We put in money for C-17s, for 130s. We put money in for Apaches, helicopters, all of these things needed in the war effort.

MRAPs. We put in new MRAPs.

Strykers. We put money in for Strykers because it takes twice as long, and these are medical care Strykers, because it takes twice as long to get people to a hospital or to medical care in Afghanistan, and this will help that situation and reduce the time it takes to get to medical care.

Bradley Fighting Vehicles.

National Guard and Reserve. We put $500 million in the bill.

Guantanamo. In the initial stages we took the money out and said give us a plan; and, of course, the chairman has developed a plan for that.

We have withdrawal timelines from Iraq, August 31, 2010.

Training Afghanistan security forces, $3.6 billion.

Pakistan counterinsurgency fund, $400 million.

And contracting.

And on contracting, one of the things the Secretary talks about and we talk about is that it costs us $44,000 more to have contractors in Iraq than it does to have regular troops there. And we finally said to them, Look, you've got to start taking the nationals there, putting their people to work, get the Americans or the foreign people--when I say ``foreign,'' other than Iraqis--out of the country. So we're going to get a schedule of getting the contractors down.

The report includes language directing the Department of Defense to provide monthly reports on the number of contractors in the US CENTCOM Area of Responsibility. We have a heck of a time getting this. But this bill provides the resources and capabilities needed to support deployed U.S. forces.

It is a completely partisan bill, and working with Mr. Young, I appreciate his cooperation and ask the Members to vote positively on this bill.

I have to say I am disappointed in the gentleman. Now, he has only been on the subcommittee that I chair for a very short period of time.

We made a deal and the White House endorsed our deal. They didn't like what we did, but they endorsed our deal. They said this is their supplemental. We added to it, and we fought every inch of the way to get the money for the troops out in the field and for the families at home.

And what you are doing is fighting this thing all over again, the same way you tried to do it in the full committee, and I don't appreciate that. I don't appreciate the fact we make a deal and then we turn around here and we try to change that deal.

This should be defeated, and it should be defeated soundly by the House of Representatives and in committee.

I know what you are trying to do. In the conference, we will try to work something out, but this is the bill that should go to conference.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1243, which will award a Congressional Gold Medal; to my good friend Arnold Palmer, recognizing his service to our nation in promoting excellence and good sportsmanship in golf.

Arnold Palmer, who was born and raised in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, is an extraordinary individual who has achieved greatness. Mr. Palmer's father, Deacon Palmer, taught him to play golf at an early age and he quickly excelled at the game. He continued playing while attending Wake Forest University on a golf scholarship and while serving in the United States Coast Guard.

After winning the U.S. Amateur Championship in 1954, Mr. Palmer turned pro. Since then he has won seven major championships, including winning the U.S. Open and the Open Championship twice, and was the first golfer to win the Masters Tournament four times. In addition to winning 61 tournaments between 1954 and 1975, he represented the United States by playing in the Ryder Cup six times between 1961 and 1973 and by serving as captain in 1963 and 1975. In 1963 he was the last player to also serve simultaneously as captain. He also served as the Presidents Cup captain in 1996.

Over the course of his career, Mr. Palmer was honored with many accolades. He was the PGA Player of the Year in 1960 and 1962, he won the Vardon Trophy four times, was named Sports Illustrated magazine's Sportsman of the Year in 1960, and was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2004.

Mr. Speaker, in addition to golf, Mr. Palmer is an extraordinary businessman, a skilled aviator, and a devoted family man. He founded the Arnold Palmer Pavilion at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, which is helping many western Pennsylvanians in their battles with cancer. Arnold Palmer is a favorite son of Latrobe, Pennsylvania, inspiring many to work hard and follow their dreams. He is truly deserving of the Congressional Gold Medal.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to mourn the passing of philanthropist Michael Stern and to pay tribute to his life of helping others and supporting our military families.

Michael Stern began his career as a journalist, writing for newspapers and magazines before joining the U.S. Army in 1943 as a war correspondent. He traveled with American forces through Sicily and southern Italy; entering Rome a day before the Allies took control in June of 1944. He remained in Italy for the next 50 years, continuing to write articles, publishing a book, and producing several Italian-made films.

Through his friendship with developer Zachary Fisher, the two men started the Intrepid Museum Foundation in 1978. The USS Intrepid (CVS- 11), a World War II aircraft carrier in the Pacific Theater, was decommissioned in 1974 and planned to be scrapped. Stern and Fisher led a fundraising campaign to save the carrier, and in 1982 the Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum opened to the public. It became a National Historic Landmark four years later.

In the early 1990s, the men established the Fisher House program to provide our service members and their families with temporary lodging at military bases and VA medical facilities all across the United States. This unique private-public partnership enables families to stay together while undergoing long-term medical treatment from injury or illness. Over 10,000 military families are guests at a Fisher House every year, and their expenses are taken care of by the Foundation.

Stern and Fisher also created the Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation at Rockefeller University, where Stern served as President and CEO of the Board of Trustees. Since 1995, the Foundation has been on

the cutting-edge of Alzheimer's treatment and research. Shortly after Mr. Fisher's death in 2001, Stern created the Michael Stern Parkinson's Research Foundation, which has provided over $18 million for Parkinson's research.

Madam Speaker, I knew Michael Stern through his work with the Fisher House program and the Intrepid Museum. I've had the privilege of visiting Fisher Houses throughout our nation, and speaking with hundreds of our military families who are forever grateful because of their generosity and support.

At 98 years old, Michael Stern lived a full and envious life. My thoughts and prayers are with his children, Margaret and Michael Jr., who are truly blessed by knowing that their father dedicated his entire life to helping others, and inspiring us all with his story.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge a great American and extraordinary explorer, Admiral Robert Edwin Peary, and the one hundredth anniversary of his expedition to the North Pole.

Peary was born on May 6, 1856 in Cresson, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Bowdoin College and joined the United States Navy in 1881. Peary made several expeditions throughout the Arctic, including Greenland, during this lifetime.

On April 6, 1909 Peary concluded his journey to the North Pole. He was accompanied by his longtime companion Matthew Henson and four Inuit men.

Throughout his life, he received many awards, honors, and honorary degrees. In 1911 Peary retired from the Navy with the rank of Rear Admiral. He died on February 20, 1920 in Washington, DC.

Madam Speaker, at this time in history when the North Pole is so important to geopolitics, I hope that our nation will reflect on the hundredth anniversary of Admiral Peary's great accomplishment.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to include in the Congressional Record the following article written by Capitol Hill correspondent David Rogers. Although a conscientious objector, he is a decorated veteran who was wounded while serving as an Army medic in Vietnam.

In his article, Rogers vividly describes the devastating impact of war on children and how American service members create bonds of mutual friendship and curiosity with the children who become victims of conflict and war.

``Children in the Field''

(By David Rogers)

``The old French fort was nothing more than an open area

encircled by a berm, dirt piled into a wall. There was gaping

holes where the fortification had eroded, and when the ground

attack came, the enemy rocket grenades and automatic fire

were able to hit the sleeping positions. Some AK rounds came

from an outlying hamlet and Jose opened up with the machine

gun. In the morning there was crying from one home, for a

child had been killed.

``The women and old men would only stare sorrowfully at the

patrols, but the children, looking for food or being curious,

would come up to the soldiers. It was an uneasy truce between

them: the infantry sweating under their packs and still wary

after coming from the jungle; and the children, pulling on

the men's gear, begging for food, but resisting even a gentle

hand wanting to touch them. For the platoon medic, breaking

through this distance was easier, and the children would

finally come to him. He was the only one without a weapon and

just the name ``Doc'' was simpler to remember. They--the

medic and children--never knew each other's real names. It

didn't matter. After all the months in the field and in and

out of the villages, many would know him on sight and call

``Doc.'' One would start and then the others would join in.

He would want to go back and stay with them.

``The platoon was securing the road when the enemy hit the

third squad's position. AK fire caught Wesley in the stomach,

and a rocket grenade wounded two other men. The medic had to

go back for them and, afterwards, blood was all over his

fatigues and hands. The children were again on the road,

looking where the firing had been. They also looked at him,

standing there in the stink of the heat and burned powder and

blood. He wanted them to go away, but they had seen it all

before. It was he who was new. Later, the Vietnamese soldiers

would bring their kills out to the road. The children on the

way to market would have to pass the bodies.

``She was twelve years old but had a wiser, more reserved

way about her than the other children living in the villages

or selling sodas along the red clay road. When candy was

thrown from the convoys, she never ran, but only watched out

for her younger sister and brother. The medic always looked

for her but never brought the Cokes she teased him with. When

the infantry closed the road and no more sodas could be sold,

he saw her fishing occasionally or carrying firewood from

where the American bulldozers had cleared the jungle. They

seemed better friends then. He brought her presents at Tet,

and she gave him paper flowers when he came the next time.

After the battalion moved out, they never saw one another

again. Before returning to the United States, he went back to

the village, but she was away for the day. Instead, he sat

with her brother and sister, who invited him into their

thatched home. The village had a solemn quiet and they talked

in near whispers. He stayed an hour with them.

``The children were so light compared to the weight of the

Americans that the medics had to be careful not to turn too

quickly when they carried the stretchers from the

helicopters. The thin bodies, smaller still on the green hard

canvas, rocked back and forth with each jolt and appeared in

danger of sliding off. One night, two girls brought in with

shrapnel wounds. The youngest lay without a sound, her

stomach hard but only slightly torn. He stayed with her until

she went into the operating room, but she did not cry during

the long wait. Just the staring eyes, stunned by the pain and

unable to close in the glare of the overhead light. She had

been asleep when the shells came. In the morning she was

dead.

``The children, so young and constant, would have the

effect of confronting the soldiers with themselves. Coming

back from an operation and seeing them running out to the

road, the platoon was faced with something more alive than

itself, against which each man would account himself. The

dead in the jungle, those the platoon had lost or those it

had killed, would come back for that moment. It was an

anxious time, waiting for the smile or shout to pull them

through the memories.

``After a contact the soldiers would search the bodies

looking for souvenirs or materials which might be turned over

to some distant information officer. Equipment such as

hammocks or shell pouches were distributed according to who

had been most involved in the fighting. Once there was a

picture of the dead man's child and the medic took that

himself. It was a little girl holding a flower and on the

back was a delicate sketch of a dove.''