[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 53 (Thursday, May 5, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 5, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
           THE PASSING OF A GREAT VETERAN FROM THE GREAT WAR

                                 ______


                         HON. DOUGLAS APPLEGATE

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 5, 1994

  Mr. APPLEGATE. Mr. Speaker, a true giant of a man, an American known 
and respected by so many of his fellow countrymen, a highly decorated 
veteran of World War One, Winston M. Roche, passed away on April 28 in 
North Hollywood, CA.
  Of all of the many thousands of veterans I've had the pleasure and 
honor to meet and know over my several years in Congress, Win Roche 
stands out as someone truly larger than life and someone I always 
considered to be a very good and dear friend.
  You would think that someone who served his country in battle during 
the early years of this century might more rightfully belong in some 
nursing home or sequestered away in a rest home. Not our Winston, not 
by a long shot.
  Winston Roche held the distinction of being the fastest man on wheels 
in his age bracket throughout all of southern California. As a very 
active member of the Southern California Corvette Club, Winston always 
felt much more comfortable pushing the speedometer needle to a number 
greater than his age in years, something that's truly impressive when 
you remember that he was in his nineties. In fact, a few laps around 
the Daytona Speedway at 140 miles per hour in the pace car 5 years ago 
didn't do a thing to Winston. He wasn't even the least bit impressed. 
You would think he did this each and every day in his red Corvette.
  I will miss Winston's visits to Washington, and I will always think 
about his presentations before the Veterans' Affairs Committee and how 
he would speak so passionately and emotionally about the battle 
experiences of his fellow buddies from that war that was supposed to 
have ended all wars.
  Mrs. Muriel Sue Parkhurst, the former executive administrator of the 
Veterans of World War One, wrote the following about our good friend 
and a truly outstanding veteran:

              The Passing of a WWI Past National Commander

                       (By Muriel Sue Parkhurst)

       Meuse-Argonne, St. Die sector, Anould sector, Vosages, St. 
     Mihiel--French names that Winston M. Roche' saw closeup 
     during his service in the Army's ``Red Diamond'' 5th 
     Division.
       Buddy Win answered the final call April 28th in North 
     Hollywood, California. A Memorial Service in Los Angeles is 
     planned for may 7th.
       Buddy Roche' of North Hollywood, California, has served the 
     organization on every level, including as Veterans of World 
     War I National Commander 1981-82, National Legislative 
     Director and has been serving VWWI as its National Judge 
     Advocate for the several years and also this administration 
     as National Parliamentarian.
       Winston's military service began when as an 18-year-old out 
     of high school, entered World War I. He served with the 5th 
     infantry Division engineers. He has received the Purple 
     Heart, Alsne-Marne, Chateau-Thierry, St. Mihiel and Argonne 
     medals. And for assisting a wounded French soldier to an aid 
     station, he received the Croix de Guerre. Six years ago he 
     received the Legion of Honor in recognition of the 70th 
     anniversary of America's entry into the war. He was in 
     attendance with his family on August 30, 1993 at Cantigny 
     outside of Chicago to receive his 75th Anniversary 
     Commemorative Medal during our VWWI National Convention.
       Roche' worked as an engineer for the Department of Water 
     and Power on the Los Angeles, California Aqueduct and later 
     was a surveyor and chief of surveys for the city of Los 
     Angeles' recreation and parks. After retiring in 1969, he 
     served on the Governor's Board on Aging and on the Los 
     Angeles office of Civil Defense Commission.
       After 27 years, he continued to work as a volunteer at 
     Sepulveda V.A. Medical Center and served California VWWI 
     Department as their annual Department Convention Chairman and 
     filling the slate of Officers wherever he was most needed 
     regardless of the job. His reputation for being on the go all 
     the time, his love of antique cars and the California sun and 
     surf had men half his age wondering what fountain of youth he 
     had dipped into.
       His frequent television interviews, Life magazine coverage 
     with a larger than life portrait in his WWI uniform, and BBC 
     London Tonight profile kept his face and name before the 
     country. Earlier this year CNN carried yet more coverage of a 
     5th District Meeting where the smile of Roche' again lit up 
     the television screen.
       But the vision we will forever remember is his wave while 
     driving his red corvette on Bravo cable station--we thank his 
     family and friends who shared him with a nation--this larger 
     than life veteran.
       Letters and notes of sympathy and condolences to his wife 
     Elsye, and sons Richard and Philip, to: Richard Roche', 6031 
     Beck Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91606.

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