[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 55 (Thursday, April 25, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E637]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO STANLEY AND GWEN McCRACKEN

                                 ______


                          HON. DALE E. KILDEE

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 24, 1996

  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise before 
you today to pay tribute to two great Americans, Stanley and Gwen 
McCracken. In recognition of their exemplary service as the DAV and DAV 
Auxiliary State commanders of the great State of Michigan, their many 
friends and colleagues will join in honoring them during a Joint 
Testimonial Dinner to be held at DAV Chapter 129 Memorial Home, located 
in Utica, MI on Friday, April 26, 1996.
  Commander McCracken is a veteran of both the U.S. Army and the U.S. 
Air Force, serving both services with honor and distinction. He 
enlisted in the Army in 1958, serving as an infantryman. In 1963, 
Stanley decided to reenlist in the Air Force. He was assigned to the 
Strategic Air Command, Ramey Air Force Base, Puerto Rico. His tour of 
duty included and encompassed many responsibilities, including being 
attached to the 42nd Bomber Wing, Combat Support Group. While at Ramey, 
he was assigned to a Recovery Team, as well as being an integral member 
of a ground crew, and finally assuming the duties of crew chief aboard 
a B-52 bomber.
  Stanley McCracken earned the stripes of staff sergeant along with 
numerous decorations and awards for his outstanding military service 
before he was honorably discharged from the Air Force in 1967.
  Commander McCracken has been elected to, and successfully held every 
chapter level office, including chapter commander for two terms. He has 
also been an active member of the St. Clair County, MI, Allied Veterans 
Council for several years, in addition to being a member of DAV Chapter 
51. Mr. McCracken accumulated extensive experience before assuming the 
State commander's job. He was an elected member of the State 
Administrative Board for 4 years before he was picked by the membership 
as a department line officer. He ultimately progressed his way through 
the various chairs, of the department, and was elected as State 
commander of the DAV in June 1995.
  Equal in service to the DAV, Mrs. Gwen McCracken was elected to serve 
as commander of the Disabled Americans Auxiliary, Department of 
Michigan, in June 1995. Gwen McCracken has a long, outstanding record 
of service to her community. She has been a driving force in a number 
of organizations that are committed to improving the quality of life 
for those who are less fortunate. Mrs. McCracken was instrumental in 
helping to found Volunteers Assisting the Disabled, an organization 
that provides summer camp opportunities to adult MDA patients, who 
would otherwise, simply because of their age, be exempted from 
participating in camp.
  Gwen McCracken is a life member of the Corporal Ian M. Gray Unit 51. 
She has been an extremely active member of the DAVA, eagerly accepting 
the duties and responsibilities of the many positions and offices of 
the organization that she has held including; state chaplain, senior 
page, first vice commander, and senior vice commander.
  The McCrackens, through their collective energy, enthusiasm, and 
zeal, have stood like sentinels on behalf of not only disabled 
veterans, but on behalf of all veterans and their families. Their many 
years of combined service have helped to preserve and protect the 
promise that was made to care for those who have borne the battle, 
their widows, and their children.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I stand before you today 
asking that you and my fellow Members of the 104th Congress join me in 
honoring Stanley and Gwen McCracken. They have spent their lives in 
dedicated service to their country and community. I am pleased to have 
this opportunity to join with their family, friends, and colleagues to 
extend my deepest thanks for their tireless efforts on behalf of 
Michigan veterans.

                          ____________________