[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 151 (Tuesday, September 26, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S14323-S14324]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    MEMORIAL TO M. SGT. CARL BILLIG

 Mr. KEMPTHORNE. Mr. President, this morning, the family of 
retired M. Sgt. Carl Billig said their final farewells to this devoted 
husband, father, and war veteran who passed away on Friday, September 
22, 1995.
  Sergeant Billig's dying wish was to receive his long-sought military 
awards and medals. After more than a year of trying to track down those 
medals, they finally arrived 2 days before his death. In a touching 
ceremony, Sergeant Billig's family gathered at the home around his bed 
where he lie terminally ill with cancer. The family looked on as Maj. 
Martin Harris presented Sergeant Billig with 14 military medals and 
badges--including the Purple Heart and the Award of Meritorious Service 
in recognition of his 23 years of service spanning World War II through 
the Vietnam conflict. 

[[Page S 14324]]

  In a final act of patriotism, Sergeant Billig mustered all of his 
strength to return Major Harris' salute. His eyes brightened as he 
recognized the great honors being paid to him by those gathered about 
him. Following that salute, his hand dropped to his side, still holding 
it in the salute position and soon his eyes closed, never to open 
again.
  Sergeant Billig was discharged from the Army 25 years ago. He had 
been actively working to obtain his medals for the last 17 months, but 
to no avail. Letters were answered with form responses that they were 
working on it. Carl's body wasted and weakened with lung cancer and 
knowing his time was short, he chose to stay at home during his final 
days. But Carl continued to express his great desire to receive his 
military medals before his death. He told friends and family he wished 
to be buried in full military uniform, complete with all medals and 
ribbons.
  Hospice nurse Lori Olsen Marks overheard him express this dying wish 
and on September 14 contacted my office to see if I could help in any 
way. She sensed the urgency of Carl's wish and said his physicians felt 
there might only be 3 to 4 weeks left to obtain his honors. My office 
immediately contacted the U.S. Army. In her typical, caring style, 
Margaret Tyler, Congressional Liaison for the Army, began work on the 
request. On September 19, Carl's son Tom called to say it appeared to 
be only a matter of hours. His father was in great pain and was having 
increasing difficulty breathing.
  Another call was made to the Army. Margaret Tyler contacted Gail 
Goers-Wurmb and Vicki Ramoni in Philadelphia and St. Louis. Within the 
hour, these women had obtained all authorizations and worked into the 
night to locate all of the awards and thoughtfully had Carl Billig's 
name engraved on each medal. An overnight carrier was located, and 
almost in miracle fashion, the package arrived the next morning in 
Idaho Falls.
  An awards ceremony was quickly scheduled. Major Harris of the Idaho 
National Guard, hospice administrator, Keith Hale, Ina Gillies of 
Veterans Affairs, and Dixie Richardson of my office prepared the 
presentation.
  Carl Billig's family says he lived by his motto, ``You do whatever 
must be done, in order to accomplish a task * * * especially when you 
have been given an assignment to do something for your country.'' Carl 
Billig lived doing whatever needed to be done, and in his final hours, 
many people pulled together to honor this fine man.
  Carl Billig's family have expressed their deepest appreciation many 
times for the kindness and concern shown by all who answered a man's 
dying wish with such expediency. They say their faith in people, and in 
their government have been renewed.

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