[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 101 (Friday, July 24, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1436]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          A SALUTE TO COLONEL JOSEPH A. HAIG (U.S. ARMY, RET.)

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. THOMAS M. BARRETT

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 24, 1998

  Mr. BARRETT of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, today I am pleased to 
recognize a patriot and honorable American from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 
As family and friends gather today to honor Colonel Joseph A. Haig on 
the occasion of his 100th birthday, I would like to take a moment to 
acknowledge Colonel Haig's long-time service to our country.
  Joseph A. Haig was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on August 24, 1898, 
and enjoyed a typical turn of the century boyhood. In the summer of 
1918, however, with the ``war to end all wars'' still raging in Europe, 
Joseph crossed the threshold into manhood, and joined the United States 
Army, as part of the Officers Candidate School. As one of the ``60 day 
wonders'', he received his commission when he was only twenty years 
old.
  After the war, Joseph returned to civilian life, but remained active 
as a reservist. In 1923, he became a charter member of the Reserve 
Officers Association. Today, he is the sole surviving charter member.
  In the summer of 1940, before the United States officially entered 
World War II, Joseph was called to active duty as a major. He was made 
the assistant commanding officer of the Recruit Reception Center at 
Fort Sheridan, Illinois. During the next three years, he processed 
nearly a quarter of a million draftees. In 1945, then Major Joseph Haig 
was assigned to a camp in Pennsylvania as deputy post commander. In 
that position, he had the pleasant duty of facilitating the discharge 
of about 400,000 men, until he was discharged from active duty.
  Once again, the end of active duty did not mean the end of his 
military career. Now Colonel Joseph Haig continued on as a reservist 
and remained involved and prepared to serve his country, when needed, 
until his mandatory retirement forty years ago.
  Colonel Haig still attends the annual Reserve Officers Association 
meetings. Ten years ago, when he was a mere 90 years old, Colonel Haig 
was honored at the Association's annual meeting, as hundreds of 
generals and admirals greeted him with a tremendous standing ovation.
  Another source of pride for Colonel Haig is his family, which 
includes his children Janet, Douglas, and Jerry, along with 20 
grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. Colonel Haig's sons share in 
their father's sense of service to country and have served in the 
military. Douglas is a retired Air Force colonel. Jerry is a retired 
Naval Lieutenant Commander. The Haig family's combined years of 
military service is a staggering 176 years.
  I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me in 
extending my appreciation to Colonel Joseph A. Haig for his many years 
of service to the people of the United States and in offering a hearty 
congratulations on the occasion of his 100th birthday.

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