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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NEWS FROM CONGRESSMAN RICHARD E. NEAL (D-MASSACHUSETTS)
Committee on Ways and Means, Committee on Budget
2266 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
www.house.gov/neal

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - June 14, 2006
CONTACT: William Tranghese (202) 225-5601

NEAL HONORS VETERANS AT THE NATIONAL WORLD
WAR II MEMORIAL

(WASHINGTON) Congressman Richard E. Neal took part in a special ceremony
today at the National World War II Memorial in Washington to honor 40
American servicemen killed 63 years ago today in a plane crash at Baker's
Creek, Australia. A memorial marker in tribute to the fallen soldiers, which
is expected to placed at Arlington National Cemetery, was unveiled at this
morning's event. The accident remains the largest aviation accident in
Australian history, and it was the worst allied airplane crash in the
Pacific Theatre of WWII.

Springfield native Samuel Cutler, a US Army Air Force Captain who passed
away in 1990, was the officer of the day on June 14, 1943, and was the last
to see the crew alive. His account of the Baker's Creek Crash inspired his
son Robert to begin a 16 year effort to find out what really happened in
Australia 60 years ago.

Thanks to Robert Cutler and others, the story of the men of Baker Creek is
finally being told, and a new chapter of history is being written.

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A copy of Congressman Neal's remarks from today's ceremony is attached
below. (Word doc 1)

A press release from today's event is attached below. (Word doc 2)

PDF of Photos and More information