Rep. Brat Thanks Veterans, Tells the Story of "Fearless Phyllis" Galanti

Statement

"In 1956, two teenagers named Phyllis and Paul met on a military base in Ankara, Turkey, where both of their fathers were stationed. Six years later the two were married at the Chapel of the Centurion in Fort Monroe, Virginia and Paul, serving in the Navy, was deployed to Southeast Asia.

"In June of 1966, Paul Galanti was shot down over Communist North Vietnam. Becoming frustrated with the lack of information about her husband, Phyllis Galanti grew active in a campaign to raise awareness of the plight of the Vietnam prisoners of war. The campaign was successful in collecting over 450,000 letters from the Richmond area, each personally delivered to the North Vietnamese embassy in Stockholm.

"To speak out for American prisoners of war she took her message to a meeting with President Nixon and Secretary of State Henry Kissinger. She took her message to a national audience on 60 minutes and the Today Show. Because of her efforts Mrs. Galanti became known as Fearless Phyllis.

"In February of 1973, Paul and Phyllis Galanti were reunited, after more than 7 years of separation. But that didn't mean Phyllis was done. She continued her work as a tireless advocate for the rights of American POWs until her passing in April of 2014.

"Today, on Veteran's Day, it is with grateful hearts that we say thank you, not only to the men and women who have served our country, but their families, and all those working hard to help our veterans.

"We must continue working hard for our veterans just like Mrs. Galanti.

"In Congress, I have supported legislation to help our veterans find work after returning home, to hold the VA accountable for it's inexcusable mistreatment of our heroes and to protect Veterans from Obamacare.

"I am also excited to announce my bipartisan and bicameral resolution to rename the arboretum at the Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center in Richmond as the Phyllis E. Galanti Arboretum. The resolution has been cosponsored by the entire Virginia Delegation and I hope it will be taken up by the House for a vote in the coming weeks.

"It is only well and fitting that Congress name the Arboretum after such an outstanding advocate for our military and veterans.

"Today, I would encourage each of you to take time to call a service member you know or shake the hand of a veteran. Thank them for their sacrifice. Let them know that you care, just as Mrs. Galanti would have. And let us never forget the price they pay so that we may enjoy the many blessings of liberty."

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