[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 120 (Friday, September 14, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1654]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                    HONORING RICHARD ``AL'' SEAGLER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 14, 2001

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to 
honor Richard ``Al'' Seagler for his service to our great nation in 
World War II. Anticipating that he would get drafted, Al courageously 
enlisted with the Navy. It is my pleasure to pay tribute to Mr. Seagler 
for the sacrifices he made in preserving the freedom of our nation.
  Mr. Seagler experienced many sleepless nights as Japanese forces made 
countless attacks on his construction battalion that was located on the 
island of Guadalcanal. The campaign at Guadalcanal cost America a great 
number of lives before the United States decidedly took the island and 
changed the course of the Pacific Theater in World War II forever. Mr. 
Seagler played a vital role in America's course of action by directing 
a construction battalion whose job included providing a workable 
infrastructure for American troops and maintaining open supply lines in 
Guadalcanal.
  These important construction battalions were known as ``Seabees,'' 
but their name and recognition have since disappeared from our national 
memory. Mr. Seagler sweated his days away in order to sustain the 
American operations in the region. In addition, Al accomplished many 
great feats in the construction battalion while dodging the enemy's 
bullets, living in a disease-infested jungle, and laying down to sleep 
to the sound of the Japanese fighter planes bombing the Guadalcanal 
coast.
  Mr. Speaker, Mr. Seagler showed great courage and heroism as a 
soldier in World War II. Therefore, it is my privilege to acknowledge 
his honor and pride for our great Nation. Al is still an active citizen 
in Montrose, Colorado where he has served as a role model for both 
young and old. I commend Mr. Seagler for his distinguished service to 
the state of Colorado and our great Nation.

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