In february the u. S. House and senate presented a congressional gold medal to honor members of the First Special Service Force in world war ii. The First Special Service Force was an americanCanadian Special Operations Unit formed in 1942. Congressional leaders and two Veterans Speak at this ceremony. Ladies and gentlemen, the speaker of the United States house of representatives, the honorable john boehner. [ applause ] ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon. And welcome to the United States capitol. Its good to see all of you here today. Since the days of the Revolution Congress has awarded gold medals to express the peoples appreciation for distinguished achievements. The first recipient was general George Washington himself in march of 1776. Today, pursuant to House Resolution 324 we will present a gold medal in honor of the First Special Service Force. The force was activated in 1942 as an elite unit of 1,800 american and canadian commandos. Just how elite . Well, for every man the
Lord, we thank you for this special ceremony. And we thank you for this time of honoring this great warrior, this statesman who has served in excellence, man of integrity, a man of impeccable honor. We thank you for his life. We thank you for his health and for his strength. And as we would say in the church down through the years, youve been mighty good to him. We ask you to continue to keep him in the hollow of your hands. Continue to keep his mind strong, his body healthy and he may continue to be a champion for all of us, your people. And we pray that you will grant him continued strength, bless his families theyre going out and theyre coming in. And as we leave this place on today let us know that its in you that we do all things, but without you that we can do nothing. In jesus name we pray, amen. Amen. [ applause ] in february the u. S. House and senate presented a congressional gold medal to honor members of the First Special Service Force in world war ii. The First Special Ser
Devils brigade. I was on the hallowed grounds of arlington today to see the canadian cross of honor erected in 1930 by our government in those majestic fields to honor the 3,000 americans who died in world war i serving with canadian units. And the heroics of the devils brigade continue. Our joint defense of north america through norad, korea where tommy prince served in the battle of kapyong, in the korean war. In afghanistan, where the 40 americans who died serving alongside canadians in kandahar are held as close to our chest as the 158 men and women we frost that dangerous province. And today our Royal Canadian air force and our soldiers from the jtf 2, the successor unit to the devils brigade, are serving in iraq in cause of freedom and alongside our allies and friends like those in the United States. So its my honor to represent canada here today to thank you for recognizing these special, special veterans and allowing us to remember the service and sacrifice their unit remembers
[ applause ] since the days of the Revolution Congress has awarded gold medals to express the peoples appreciation for duh sting wished. The force was activated in 1842 as an elite unit of 1,800 american and canadian commandoes. Just how elite . For every man they lost, they killed 25. For every man they cap which tu they took 285. The enemy dubbed them the devils and so effective today that our special forces refer to them as pioneers. Let me thank you for being here. Of course, in addition to many family members, we are truly humbled to have with us some 42 veterans of the force. Please join me now in welcoming these great men to our hall. Ladies and gentlemen, please stand for the presentation of the colors by the United States army color guard, the singing of the canadian and United States National Anthems and the retiring of the colors. Color halt. Present arms. Oh, say can you see by the dawns early light what so proudly we hailed at the twilights last gleaming whose broad stripe
Today. Since the days of the revolution, congress has awarded gold medals to express the peoples appreciation for distinguished achievements. The first recipient was general George Washington himself in march of 1776. Today, pursuant to House Resolution 324 we will present a gold medal in honor of the First Special Service Force. The force was activated in 1942 as an elite unit of 1,800 american and canadian commandos. Just how elite . Well, for every man they lost they killed 25. For every man they captured, they took 235. The force was so fearless that the enemy dubbed them, the devils. And so effective today that our special forces refer to them as pioneers. These men represent the finest of the finest. So today we bestow on them our highest honor. So let me thank all of you for being here, especially ambassador door, secretary mccue and all of our army leaders. Of course in addition to many family members were truly humbled to have with us some 42 veterans of the force. Please join