[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 74 (Tuesday, June 3, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1078-E1079]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING RAYMOND G. O'NEILL

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DALE E. KILDEE

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 3, 1997

  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, last week, Americans celebrated Memorial 
Day, remembering those men and women who gave their lives in service to 
their country. As a nation, we paused to recall all they have done to 
preserve and protect our way of life. It is in this spirit that I rise 
today to honor a man who for over a half century has dedicated his life 
to working for Michigan's veterans. On June 1, 1997, Mr. Raymond G. 
O'Neill will retire as director of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Service 
Office of Michigan after 45 years.
  A lifelong Michigan resident, Raymond O'Neill enlisted in the U.S. 
Marine Corps while still a high school senior in 1942, serving several 
stints in the South Pacific. During his tour of duty, he was awarded 
the Presidential Unit Citation with Star, Asiatic-Pacific Ribbon with 
two Bronze Battle Stars, Marine Good Conduct Medal, and American 
Theater and Victory Medals.
  After leaving the service, Mr. O'Neill served as the first commander 
of the VFW Post 9030 of Detroit, a post he was responsible for 
organizing. That post remained in use from 1947 to 1981, when it was 
consolidated with two other posts to form Fortier's-O'Grady Post 147, 
where he again served as its first commander. In 1952, Mr. O'Neill 
began his long tenure with the VFW Service Office as an assistant 
service officer and claims examiner, rapidly rising up the ranks from 
field supervisor to assistant director and ultimately leading to his 
current position as State director of veterans services, where he has 
served since 1968.
  Mr. O'Neill's activities have garnered the attention of the community 
as well as his peers,

[[Page E1079]]

and have earned him a high degree of renown and respect. Some of the 
numerous awards bestowed upon him include the 1963 Michigan Veteran of 
the Year, the Chapel of Four Chaplains Award, the Wayne County Artistic 
Excellence and Community Commitment Award, and a special Resolution of 
Tribute from the Michigan Legislature.
  Mr. Speaker, I say without a doubt that every veterans organization 
in Michigan owes part of their success to Raymond O'Neill's constant 
diligence. Our veterans have been affected in so many ways by his hard 
work and advocacy on their behalf. Although he is retiring, I know that 
he will remain the best advocate a veteran could have. I ask my 
colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me in paying tribute 
to Ray and wishing him well in his retirement.

                          ____________________