[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 112 (Friday, July 25, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1625]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E1625]]
                         HONORING DUANE OSBORN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ADAM SMITH

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 25, 2003

  Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a moment 
to honor an individual from my district who is a true American hero, 
Duane A. Osborn. He is an ordinary man with an extraordinary story. 
Unless you are a friend or a family member you won't recognize his 
face, or ever have heard of his name. But there are millions of 
Americans like him--Americans who have sacrificed so much for our 
country and do not receive nearly enough recognition in return for 
their service. On this, the 50th Anniversary of the Signing of the 
Armistice of the Korean War, I'd like to introduce you to one of many 
forgotten warriors in a forgotten war.
  Duane A. Osborn was born in Wapato, WA on May 30, 1934. In June of 
1952, shortly after his 18th birthday, he enlisted in the United States 
Air Force with the 8th Division. Before he was sent to the Korean War 
he married Donna Elder.
  From 1950 to 1953, the United States joined with United Nations 
forces in Korea to take a stand against what was deemed a threat to 
democratic nations worldwide. During the Korean War era, 6.8 million 
Americans served on active-duty and 1.8 million soldiers served in the 
Korean theater during the three-year period of hostilities. During the 
war, 36,940 service members made the ultimate sacrifice and lost their 
lives.
  At war's end, millions of American veterans returned to a peacetime 
world of families, homes, and jobs--and to a country reluctant to view 
the Korean War as something to memorialize. But to the men and women 
who served, the Korean War could never be a forgotten war.
  In October of 1955, following his service, Duane returned home to 
Washington state and settled in an unincorporated area that would 
become the city of SeaTac in my district. He worked building county 
roads until an accident in September of 1973 rendered him a paraplegic.
  Duane's hardship duty in Korea had prepared him to meet this 
difficult physical challenge and in 17 years of participating in the 
National Veterans Wheelchair Games, he has won 100 gold, silver, and 
bronze medals--proving again and again his courage, commitment and 
dedication, as well as his passion for living.
  Duane continues to contribute to his community and country as a board 
member of the Northwest Chapter of Paralyzed Veterans of America where 
he volunteers his time to make my district and Washington state more 
accessible for people with disabilities. He works tirelessly to ensure 
that all Americans are given the opportunities to live their lives to 
the fullest.
  It is the regular men and women like Duane who honorably answered 
their country's call to duty and went to Korea over fifty years ago 
today that we must also remember. Countless Americans never won medals, 
never were labeled ``heroes,'' yet they tirelessly fought for the 
causes they believed in--freedom and country.
  Now home as proud veterans, these individuals know that freedom is 
not free, they know the costs and they continue to fight anonymously 
for liberties at home as they serve their communities, once again 
volunteering to make life better for all of us.
  I thank Duane A. Osborn and the millions of other Korean War veterans 
for their contributions to my community and my country, both during 
that War and now at home, and I ask that we remember his service and 
the service of so many other ordinary, inspiring individuals today.

                          ____________________