[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 91 (Friday, July 14, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1248]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


      CENTRAL NEW JERSEY RECOGNIZES VETERAN MANUEL (MANNY) ALMEIDA

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                           HON. RUSH D. HOLT

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 13, 2000

  Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, today I recognize Mr. Manuel Almeida, a 
distinguished veteran and accomplished VFW commander. Mr. Almeida is 
being honored this Saturday as the State Commander, Department of New 
Jersey, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.
  Mr. Almeida saw action in the Army during the Korean War. He was 
awarded the purple heart, the combat infantry badge, and the United 
States, the United Nations, and the Korean Campaign Ribbons with two 
Battle Stars. One event that serves as a testament to the bravery and 
dedication of Mr. Almeida happened in 1952, in the affectionately named 
``Old Baldy'' area.
  On this occasion, our forces were conducting a raid on an outpost. 
They withdrew, and it soon was discovered that there were some wounded 
men left behind. Mr. Almeida and two of his colleagues volunteered to 
return to ``Old Baldy'' and retrieve the injured men. Upon retrieving 
the men, Mr. Almeida and the other soldiers were hit by a mortar 
barrage. One of the soldiers who was acting as a stretcher bearer was 
hit by mortar schrapnel, and Mr. Almeida as well as the other remaining 
volunteers carried through with their mission and brought the original 
wounded men back to safety, returned for the injured stretcher bearer, 
and brought him to safety as well.
  Mr. Almeida's service to his country did not end with the completion 
of his tour of duty. He went on to serve in the US Army for 20 years, 
receiving numerous citations and awards. After his 20 year Army career, 
Mr. Almeida worked for the US Army Electronics Command at Fort Monmouth 
as a logistics maintenance manager and again retired from the Federal 
Service in 1995.
  Mr. Almeida joined VFW #2226, Oakhurst, New Jersey, was extremely 
active, became one of their All State Commanders, and now will command 
the Department of New Jersey, Veterans of Foreign Wars for the year 
2000-2001.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring Mr. Almeida for his many 
achievements and for his contributions to our country and to our 
Veterans. I wish him well in his new position.

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