[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 109 (Tuesday, August 9, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: August 9, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                     A TRIBUTE TO STEPHEN N. REITER

                                 ______


                         HON. WILLIAM J. COYNE

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 9, 1994

  Mr. COYNE. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased today to pay tribute to Stephen 
N. Reiter, a native of Pennsylvania, for his service to our Nation 
during World War II.
  In October 1942, like many other young Americans, Stephen Reiter left 
his home in Pennsylvania to serve in the defense of the United States 
during World War II. At age 18, Stephen Reiter joined the U.S. Army Air 
Corps' Eighth Air Force, where he served as a radio operator and 
navigator aboard a B-24 Liberator.
  On August 15, 1944, at 2 p.m., the B-24 carrying Stephen Reiter was 
shot down over Holland. Surviving this crash in Nazi occupied Europe, 
he was aided by local Dutch citizens who provided him with clothing to 
blend in among the local residents. After spending the first few days 
in a haystack, Stephen Reiter began moving among different homes of 
Dutch citizens who bravely risked their own safety to protect this 
American aviator.
  For over 8 months, Stephen Reiter relied on various Dutch families to 
safeguard him from the German soldiers who searched local homes 
regularly for downed Allied aviators. For much of this time, he stayed 
in the home of Trudy Stuivers and her husband, with whom a close and 
lasting friendship was established. Stephen Reiter eluded capture by 
the German armed forces until April 1945 when a unit of Canadian 
soldiers liberated the area of Holland where he was in hiding. Shortly 
afterward, he was returned home to Pennsylvania to be welcomed by 
family and friends who had, I am sure, worried about this missing in 
action aviator.
  Stephen Reiter joined millions of Americans returning from the war in 
attempting to put the war behind and build a future in post-World War 
II America. In June 1950, he was united in marriage to Margaret 
McCloskey, of Sharpsburg. Together, they are the proud parents of five 
children: Linda, Steve, Ken, Keith, and Chris.
  While focusing on his work with Morton's Salt Co. and enjoying family 
life, Stephen Reiter never forgot his wartime experience, especially 
the help and sanctuary that was provided by the Stuivers and other 
Dutch citizens. He maintained a lifelong correspondence with Trudy 
Stuivers and, in 1975, Stephen Reiter and his family were able to repay 
in part the hospitality of the Dutch by welcoming Trudy Stuivers to 
their home in Pennsylvania for several weeks. The Reiters and Trudy 
Stuivers were to remain friends until Mrs. Stuivers passed away in her 
native Holland.
  Stephen Reiter retired from Morton's Salt Co. in 1989 after 30 years 
of service. He and his wife, Margaret, currently reside in Glenshaw, 
PA.
  Mr. Speaker, the people of the United States recently celebrated the 
anniversary of the Normandy invasion and paused to reflect on the 
struggle against fascism that involved so many brave Americans. Many 
stories of bravery, loss, and sacrifice were retold as our Nation 
remembered the men and women who served the United States of America in 
a time of need. I am proud to have this opportunity to share with the 
House the wartime experience of Stephen Reiter. It is fitting that the 
House should pay tribute to individuals like Stephen Reiter who risked 
their lives in war and worked to build a strong Nation in times of 
peace.

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