[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 98 (Tuesday, July 25, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1314]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING JOHN RUSSELL BERGENDAHL AND THE CROMWELL CHILDREN'S HOME'S 
                           100TH ANNIVERSARY

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                          HON. JOHN B. LARSON

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 25, 2000

  Mr. LARSON. Mr. Speaker, today I recognize a true World War II hero, 
John Russell Bergendahl. For most of his brief life, Mr. Bergendahl was 
a resident at the Cromwell Children's Home in my district, which is 
celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. He lived at the Home until 
his graduation from Middletown High School, and this year his 
classmates are holding their 60th class reunion in his honor.
  While his unique role and his supreme sacrifice on D-Day are 
paramount in this recognition, it is also important to emphasize the 
example Mr. Bergendahl provided to so many of his peers as a friend, a 
serious academic student, an outstanding athlete, and a dependable 
worker during his years at the Children's Home.
  Although an only child whose parents died early in his life. Mr. 
Bergendahl never reflected on his family tragedy. He had a remarkably 
positive attitude, an outgoing personality, and the physical and mental 
discipline needed for military service at the time, and would have been 
the key to his success in civilian life. He was a model resident at the 
Cromwell Children's Home, a reflection of the dedication of its staff 
and its program.
  Russ Bergendahl and Jim Broman, who first brought Mr. Bergendahl's 
story to my attention, were in military training when they last met in 
Cromwell several months before being sent to England in early 1944. 
During that meeting, Mr. Bergendahl expressed that he did not expect to 
survive the war because of his assignment to the 82nd Airborne. 
Although Jim and Russ attempted to meet again when they were deployed 
overseas, these attempts were futile because Jim's assignment to the 
101st Airborne, also limited outside contact prior to D-Day.
  After D-Day, Mr. Broman was unable to learn anything about his friend 
Russ until nearly two weeks later when he was told that a Bergendahl 
was killed by a sniper six days after the invasion. It was not until 55 
years later when Mr. Broman returned to Normandy and visited Russ 
Bergendahl's grave at Omaha Beach that he learned Russ was actually 
killed on D-Day, June 6, 1944, after the American landing.
  It is not possible to document, or likely even comprehend, what Mr. 
Bergendahl experienced when he landed in Normandy prior to the massive 
airborne landings conducted by the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions a 
few hours later. He may have merited the highest of military honors, 
but none of us will ever know. However, we do know that his sacrifice 
and service is what allows us all to be here today to remember him 
under the banner of liberty and freedom he fought to maintain, and for 
that we should honor him as a true hero.
  The 100th anniversary of the Cromwell Children's Home is an 
appropriate occasion to establish and maintain a memorial to John 
Russell Bergendahl at the place where he made his home for most of his 
brief life. This memorial is a tribute to his courage and bravery, and 
also recognizes the contribution of the Cromwell Children's Home and 
the many dedicated staff members to the lives of children, such as John 
Russell Bergendahl, during their 100 years of service. Therefore, I 
urge my colleagues to join with me in this tribute to remember the life 
of John Russell Bergendahl.

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