[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 7 (Wednesday, January 28, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E68]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        RECOGNIZING JOAQUIN RECLOSADO, JR., A VETERAN'S VETERAN

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                            HON. BOB FILNER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 28, 2004

  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Joaquin Reclosado, Jr., 
a Marine and California National Guard veteran who is the driving force 
behind the Annual Sunset Retreat Ceremonies held in Imperial County, 
California in my Congressional District.
  On November 11, 2003, the Eighth Annual Sunset Retreat was conducted 
by local veterans to celebrate Veterans' Day. Each year, a ceremony is 
held for veterans, with special attention to veterans of a prior war, 
women veterans, and this year, Native American veterans.
  The Sunset Retreat is the brainchild of Mr. Reclosado, universally 
recognized as ``Junior''. He organized the first event in 1996. He 
oversaw the committees, obtained equipment and the venue, contacted 
participants, and made certain that the event took place. But for 
Junior, all agree that the Sunset Retreat Ceremony would not happen!
  He was born in Calexico, California in 1935 of Mexican and Filipino 
parents and attended school in Calexico. He joined the Marines in 1953, 
serving in Korea and leaving active service in 1963. The next 27 years, 
Junior spent with the Imperial County Sheriff's Department and serving 
in the California National Guard. He retired from the Guard at the age 
of 60 with the rank of Sgt. Major.
  In addition to his duties with the annual Sunset Retreat, Junior is 
active with the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the 
Korean War Veterans Association, and the 1st Marine Division 
Association, both in Imperial Valley and in the state of California. He 
organizes Memorial Day ceremonies, MIA-POW recognitions, and the 
details of veterans' funerals. He arranges for veterans to visit local 
schools. He is a frequent participant in events of the Imperial Valley 
United Veterans Council.
  Junior Reclosado is someone who is deeply involved in bringing 
deserved attention to the contributions of the men and women in the 
Armed Forces and to our country's veterans. He is a veterans' veteran!
  I am pleased to take this opportunity to honor him and his service to 
his community and to our nation.

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