[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 87 (Monday, July 10, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1185]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE IN APPRECIATION OF GEORGE ROWELL

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES A. BARCIA

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 10, 2000

  Mr. BARCIA. Mr. Speaker, today I speak in appreciation for the many 
years of dedicated service that George Rowell has given to his country 
and to his community.
  Born October 5, 1926, George Rowell has led a heroic and 
inspirational life. A World War II Navy veteran, he continued his 
service to his country as a United States letter carrier, and for the 
past 42 years, George has been a member of American Legion Post 18, in 
my hometown of Bay City, MI. But he has always been more than just a 
member of Post 18. He has been Post Commander. He has been on the 
Legion Baseball and Poppy Drive Committees. He has taught flag folding 
classes in local public schools and he has been the Color Guard 
Commander for all Color Guards in Bay County. And for all of this and 
more, George was named Bay County Veteran of the Year.
  Throughout American history, there are stories of great heroism, 
tremendous sacrifice and epic courage, but none is greater than the men 
and women who defended our Nation in World War II. America is safe and 
free because this generation of men and women willingly endured the 
hardships and sacrifices required to preserve our liberty. They 
answered the call and were there to fight for the Nation, so that all 
of us could enjoy the freedoms we hold so dearly. America is truly the 
land of the free and home of the brave because of men like George 
Rowell who were willing to risk their life at the altar of freedom.
  It was General George Patton who said ``Wars may be fought with 
weapons, but they are won by soldiers. It is the spirit of the soldier 
who follows and of the soldier who leads that gains the victory.'' Mr. 
Speaker, George Rowell has always been a ``soldier who leads,'' and I 
ask all of my colleagues to join me in honoring him for his unending 
dedication to his family, his community, and his country. I could go on 
and on about George Rowell's patriotism, but I wanted to recognize him 
for all that he has done, and wish him well in the days ahead, days 
that will be filled with all the good fruits of a selfless life. I know 
that he will spend even more time with his wife of nearly 40 years, 
Mildred, and his three sons, David, George III, and Kenneth. George 
Rowell has lived a truly incredible life, and he serves as a role model 
and an inspiration to everyone who has ever met him.

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