[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 108 (Wednesday, September 6, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1635]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




TRIBUTE TO VIETNAM WAR VETERAN LEON ZIMMERMANN, JR., OF CITRUS COUNTY, 
                                FLORIDA

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                         HON. GINNY BROWN-WAITE

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 6, 2006

  Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor 
Leon Zimmermann, Jr., of Homosassa, Florida, a Purple Heart Veteran 
from the Vietnam War.
  In August of 1970, Leon Zimmermann was assigned to guard an area 
along the Phouc Xuyen River and provide a safe landing area for his 
fellow troops. As a 19-year-old Navy sailor serving in the jungles of 
Vietnam, Mr. Zimmermann was looking forward to his watch being over and 
the opportunity to get some much needed rest in the barracks.
  A sudden mortar explosion killed two of his fellow troops, and 
severely wounded Mr. Zimmermann and two other sailors nearby. Taken to 
the radio room by the medics, Mr. Zimmermann was eventually evacuated 
by a rescue helicopter. Once he recovered from his wounds, he received 
a medical discharge from the Navy.
  Due to problems with his military records, Mr. Zimmermann never 
received official recognition for his military service. I recently had 
the honor of presenting Mr. Zimmermann with his Purple Heart Medal for 
the wounds he received that fateful August afternoon.
  Following his military service, Mr. Zimmermann was able to put the 
incident behind him and raise five wonderful children in the United 
States.
  Mr. Speaker, sailors like Leon Zimmermann, Jr. should be recognized 
for their service to our Nation and for their commitment and sacrifices 
in battle. I am honored to have presented Mr. Zimmermann with his long 
overdue Purple Heart. He should know that we truly consider him one of 
America's heroes.

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