[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 98 (Friday, July 11, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1401]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                      EXPECTING NOTHING IN RETURN

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                          HON. JAMES A. BARCIA

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 10, 1997

  Mr. BARCIA. Mr. Speaker, very rarely do you meet a person who is 
willing to sacrifice so much of himself for one cause. I am rising 
today to pay tribute to one of my constituents, Robert Elkowitz of Bay 
City, MI, who has selflessly given 30 years of service to his 
community, State, and Nation. Bob is retiring as commander of American 
Legion Post 18 after many years of dedicated service.
  Bob began his journey by joining the Army as a medic during the 
Vietnam war. His medical unit not only cared for his fellow American 
soldiers, but also provided general health care and inoculations to 
Vietnamese children. He returned from Vietnam older and wiser with a 
firm commitment to his country. He credits his tour in Vietnam with 
creating the wholehearted and giving man he is today.
  Mr. Elkowitz's dedication to others did not end once his feet touched 
American soil. After his discharge from the Army he joined the U.S. 
Naval Reserve as a medical corpsman for nearly 3 years. He then served 
in the Michigan Army National Guard, and became the unofficial director 
of social affairs. Bob organized parties and picnics for the entire 
unit to create a family within a family. Bob helped his fellow soldiers 
see that the entire unit could only function when they could rely on 
each other. By creating this family atmosphere, the unit did not just 
function, it thrived.
  Bob is extremely proud of his service in the military and the 
National Guard. In fact, Mr. Elkowitz would not retire until his entire 
battalion was retired. He did not want his life's mission to end after 
his completion of service from the National Guard in August 1993. Bob 
joined American Legion Post 18 in June 1994, and was selected to serve 
as the commander. During his time in the American Legion, Bob dedicated 
himself to helping the Veterans in Need Program and organizing numerous 
functions to create the same family atmosphere he had in his battalion.
  Vision is nothing without being a man of action, and Bob has that 
type of dedication to pursue his desires. Bob wanted to have the 
American Legion known throughout the community, and he fulfilled that 
desire. From the Bay River Band Concerts to the Bay City Independence 
Day Celebration Weekend you will see members of the American Legion. 
Bob and his successor are continuing to fulfill the dream to make the 
American Legion a vital local institution and community asset.
  Bob is now at a crossroads in his life. After serving 3 consecutive 
years as the American Legion post commander, a post record, he now has 
more time to enjoy his family. He looks forward to ending his mission 
at a place which truly holds his heart, Bay City, and with people who 
mean everything to him, especially his grandchildren. I am sure that he 
will pass the same honor, integrity, courage, and zest for life he 
possesses on to future generations of the Elkowitz clan.
  Mr. Speaker, if we want citizens who are absolutely driven by the 
concept of community and family, then we must continue to praise 
individuals like Robert Allen Elkowitz. I ask you and all of our 
colleagues to join me in wishing Bob Elkowitz the best of luck in all 
his future endeavors.

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