[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 161 (Wednesday, October 18, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1976]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HAPPY 100TH BIRTHDAY ALF THOMPSON

                                 ______


                           HON. GLENN POSHARD

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, October 18, 1995

  Mr. POSHARD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to wish Mr. Alf Thompson a 
happy 100th birthday. Alf was born on November 11, 1895, and has lived 
a truly memorable life.
  As a young man, Alf enlisted in the Army, and in 1917 he was sent to 
the Philippines where he joined the Machinegun Company of the 31st 
Infantry Regiment in Manila. While in the Philippines Alf became the 
company clerk, and began to consider applying for an officer's 
commission.
  In 1919 Alf was reassigned to Vladivostok, Siberia. Here he attended 
the American Expeditionary Force's Officer Candidate School, and upon 
graduation was selected to lead the 31st Infantry Regiment's Signal 
Platoon. He was charged with the responsibility of keeping Siberia's 
only source of coal safe as it was transported on the Trans-Siberian 
Railroad.
  When World War I ended Alf left the Army and began a successful 
career in private business. When World War II erupted Alf once again 
when to work for his Nation. He left the private sector and joined the 
American Red Cross. He went to the Mediterranean to help the soldiers, 
sailors, and airmen stationed in North Africa, Sicily, and Italy. Years 
later, when soldiers returned to Illinois from Vietnam, Alf helped 
organize the State's welcome home program, and when the Vietnam 
Veteran's Memorial in Washington, DC needed additional monetary 
support, Alf helped raise the necessary funds.
  Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to represent this exceptional man in 
Congress. I am proud to join with Alf's friends and family to celebrate 
his 100th birthday, and I wish him many more happy years.

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