Ellen May Tower

HON. DALE E. KILDEE

in the House of Representatives MONDAY, MAY 22, 1989

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I would like to bring to the attention of my colleagues and the Nation a State historical marker dedication ceremony that will be held Monday, May 29, in Byron, MI, honoring Miss Ellen May Tower. Miss Tower dedicated her life to America as well as to the American dream of freedom for all people. Her will to serve and commitment to humanity led to her unselfish death in 1898 which marked the death of the first American war nurse on foreign soil.

The community of Byron loves and admires this woman who sacrificed her life in the Spanish-American war. Today, a large statue honoring Ellen May Tower stands near the entrance of the Byron Cemetery. Local residents and tourists visit the monument and fondly recall the visions of a spirited and giving young woman.

Ellen May Tower born May 8, 1868 in Byron, MI. As a child she played along the banks of the Shiawassee River and attended classes at the Byron village school. After graduation from the 10th grade, Ellen May entered a nurses' training school at Grace Hospital in Detroit. She graduated from the training school in 1894 and became a nurse for the Michigan School of the Blind in Lansing, where she remained for approximately 4 years. In the spring of 1898 the United States declared war on Spain. Miss Tower demonstrated her unwavering patriotism by becoming the first volunteer for service as a war nurse. Her war service began at Montauk Point, NY, where soldiers injured in the war, many suffering from yellow fever, sought the medical expertise, kindness, and sympathetic nature of Miss Tower and her dedicated fellow nurses. After the New York hospital was closed, Miss Tower went to serve in Puerto Rico. It was there that she fell ill, contracting typhoid fever. This illness led to her death on December 9, 1898.

Because of Ellen May Tower's contributions to her hometown of Byron, the State of Michigan, and the United States, many will gather on Memorial Day to pay tribute to this dedicated servant. I join with the Rauch-Tower VFW Post and the Shiawassee District Nurses Association in honoring this fine woman. Her legacy will forever remain in the hearts of Americans.

Mr. Speaker, a permanent reminder of Ellen May Tower's incredible ability to meet the needs of her fellow Americans and her desire to serve her country will be displayed at Byron Sesquicentennial Park as of May 29, 1989. On this day, a State historical marker will be presented in her honor. I know that my colleagues will join with me in recognizing the tireless efforts and strong, thoughtful nature of Ellen May Tower. She has been an inspiration to all people and her dreams of democracy will be pursued by all of those touched by the memory of her.

Information from http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/C?r101:./temp/~r101XYtEIL

History Home	Byron Home	Ellen May Tower

HON. DALE E. KILDEE in the House of Representatives MONDAY, MAY 22, 1989 Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I would like to bring to the attention of my colleagues and the Nation a State historical marker dedication ceremony that will be held Monday, May 29, in Byron, MI, honoring Miss Ellen May Tower. Miss Tower dedicated her life to America as well as to the American dream of freedom for all people. Her will to serve and commitment to humanity led to her unselfish death in 1898 which marked the death of the first American war nurse on foreign soil. The community of Byron loves and admires this woman who sacrificed her life in the Spanish-American war. Today, a large statue honoring Ellen May Tower stands near the entrance of the Byron Cemetery. Local residents and tourists visit the monument and fondly recall the visions of a spirited and giving young woman. Ellen May Tower born May 8, 1868 in Byron, MI. As a child she played along the banks of the Shiawassee River and attended classes at the Byron village school. After graduation from the 10th grade, Ellen May entered a nurses' training school at Grace Hospital in Detroit. She graduated from the training school in 1894 and became a nurse for the Michigan School of the Blind in Lansing, where she remained for approximately 4 years. In the spring of 1898 the United States declared war on Spain. Miss Tower demonstrated her unwavering patriotism by becoming the first volunteer for service as a war nurse. Her war service began at Montauk Point, NY, where soldiers injured in the war, many suffering from yellow fever, sought the medical expertise, kindness, and sympathetic nature of Miss Tower and her dedicated fellow nurses. After the New York hospital was closed, Miss Tower went to serve in Puerto Rico. It was there that she fell ill, contracting typhoid fever. This illness led to her death on December 9, 1898. Because of Ellen May Tower's contributions to her hometown of Byron, the State of Michigan, and the United States, many will gather on Memorial Day to pay tribute to this dedicated servant. I join with the Rauch-Tower VFW Post and the Shiawassee District Nurses Association in honoring this fine woman. Her legacy will forever remain in the hearts of Americans. Mr. Speaker, a permanent reminder of Ellen May Tower's incredible ability to meet the needs of her fellow Americans and her desire to serve her country will be displayed at Byron Sesquicentennial Park as of May 29, 1989. On this day, a State historical marker will be presented in her honor. I know that my colleagues will join with me in recognizing the tireless efforts and strong, thoughtful nature of Ellen May Tower. She has been an inspiration to all people and her dreams of democracy will be pursued by all of those touched by the memory of her. Information from http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/C?r101:./temp/~r101XYtEIL