The Silver Rose

THE SILVER ROSE

Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. Mr. President, I am here today to thank Gary Chenett, Diane Rey, and John Schniedermeier. They are responsible for awarding the Silver Rose to our veterans in Nebraska. The Order of the Silver Rose was established in 1997 by Mary Elizabeth Marchand. Her father, Chief Hospital Corpsman Frank Davis, died from illnesses resulting from the use of Agent Orange in the Vietnam war. He was a combat veteran; however, he was not wounded in combat, but was exposed to a dangerous substance while fighting for his country that took his life many years later.

The Department of Defense has determined that Chief Davis and many like him do not qualify for the Purple Heart. It is the mission of the Order of The Silver Rose organization to recognize the courage, heroism, and contributions of American service personnel found to have been exposed to Agent Orange in a combat zone. I am sure that as time passes, they will expand their focus to members who have died from other conflicts.

The Order of the Silver Rose gives many veterans the satisfaction that they are being recognized for giving their Nation the ultimate sacrifice. There are thousands of veterans who served this country faithfully and now find themselves in poor health, some fatal health, directly due to being exposed to harmful substances during war.

Gary Chenett, Diane Rey, and John Schniedermeier have awarded 11 Nebraskans with the Silver Rose, I would like to honor them today, they are: Raymond D. Todorovich of Omaha, Edgar Fleharty of Fremont, Randy E. Holke of Fremont, John Schniedermeier of Omaha, Ronald R. Charles of Omaha, Terry H. Greenwell of Omaha, David C. Smith of Firth, Joseph E. Stillwell of Omaha, Roy R. Rogers of Fremont, Albert W. Kowalski of Omaha, and Gilbert J. Styskal, Jr. of Omaha.

On behalf of Nebraska, I thank these brave patriots for their sacrifices.