[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 83 (Tuesday, June 21, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1305]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       A TRIBUTE TO VERNON PARKER

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MARILYN N. MUSGRAVE

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 21, 2005

  Mrs. MUSGRAVE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Vernon 
Parker. Little did I know as I sat in my Colorado history class in 
seventh grade my teacher, Mr. Vern Parker, was an extraordinary man.
  The community where I grew up was small, and everyone knew everyone 
else. The school in Galeton was small, too. There were 17 students in 
my class. When we were in the seventh grade, one of our favorite 
classes was Colorado History. Evidently classroom space was limited, 
because we met in the music room and sat on folding chairs. It seemed a 
little odd not to have desks but we juggled our books on our laps and 
managed quite well.
  Mr. Parker was enthusiastic about the subject and kept us all 
interested. I remember one quiz that he gave us, in particular. He gave 
us a list of towns and instructed us to identify those that were 
located in Colorado. Although I'm a native of the State, I wasn't sure 
about some of them. When I saw ``Parker'' on the list, I was convinced 
it was a trick question. After all, it was my teacher's last name. 
Needless to say, I didn't get 100 percent on that quiz.
  Even though one of the boys in our class was Mr. Parker's nephew, who 
called him by his first name, I still was in awe of my teacher and I 
tried to do my best. Once Mr. Parker complimented me on my performance 
in a talent show and his praise gave me confidence and helped me more 
than he could ever know.
  We were unaware of the incredible experiences Mr. Parker had before 
he came to be our teacher. We didn't know the hero that stood before 
us.
  Mr. Parker served in the United States Army in the special unit known 
as ``Wolfpack'', which worked with friendly South Korean troops during 
the Korean War, and he was struck by lightning at Fort Riley between 
tours in Korea. He served from 1949 until he was wounded in 1953. 
During this time, he was awarded two Silver Stars for gallantry in 
action during a battle in which he destroyed a Communist tank using a 
bazooka. In that same battle, he was wounded by an exploding artillery 
shell and was awarded the Purple Heart.
  When he went home, he married his sweetheart Sylvia Howard in 1953. 
Vern and Sylvia made sacrifices, and he earned his Master's degree from 
Colorado State College of Education in 1959. They were blessed with 
three children--Jim, Jerry, and Joe.
  Mr. Parker began teaching school at Galeton, Colorado in 1958. He 
went on to become the principal of Galeton's elementary and junior high 
schools. He was the school Superintendent in Briggsdale, Colorado, for 
three years and he continued teaching in Weldona, Colorado, from 1976 
to 1979.
  When Mr. Parker retired he opened and ran a small business. He was a 
member of the Lions Club and the V.F.W., a Boy Scout leader, and a 
volunteer fireman. Vernon's love of teaching and working with young 
people has stayed with him always and he takes great pleasure in the 
accomplishments of his former students and scouts. He has served his 
community and his country well.
  My classmates and I liked him a lot, and we thought he had a good 
sense of humor. Recently, I acquired one of the textbooks we used in 
his class. Every time I come across the book, it brings back good 
memories and I always stop and thumb through it.
  I am proud to have been a student of Vernon Parker, and I know 
Congressman Franks is as well. Mr. Speaker, I'm very thankful for the 
positive influence Vern Parker had on my life as my teacher and I'm 
also very thankful as an American for the sacrifices he has made for 
our freedom and liberty. May God bless our teachers who positively 
influence young people, and may God bless our precious veterans who 
have made sacrifices on our behalf.

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