[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 124 (Thursday, September 28, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1898]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    RECOGNIZING THE DEDICATION OF MR. C. LARRY RHODES TO OUR TROOPS

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                        HON. JOHN N. HOSTETTLER

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 28, 2006

  Mr. HOSTETTLER. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to 
recognize the personal dedication of one of my constituents from 
Southern Indiana, Mr. Larry Rhodes, to our troops in the field, and 
their families here at home. Mr. Rhodes, a Vietnam Veteran, recognized 
the need for his community to step in and volunteer their time, energy, 
and resources to the families of our troops preparing to deploy to 
Iraq. Rather than wait for an opportunity to do his part, Mr. Rhodes 
took the initiative and formed the support organization ``Operation: 
Support on the Homefront.''
  In the Summer of 2005, Mr. Rhodes began holding events for families 
of soldiers in the National Guards 163rd Field Artillery unit, and the 
Army Reserves 406th Corps Support Battalion, both of which have units 
in my congressional district--the 8th District of Indiana.
  Mr. Rhodes has organized numerous fundraising events, including 
concerts, dinners, silent auctions, and of course a joyous Christmas 
party for the families, where a huge dinner was served and all of the 
children received donated gifts. In addition to his fundraising 
efforts, Mr. Rhodes has worked with the business community in 
Evansville and surrounding communities to encourage them to provide 
discounted products and services to the families of the deployed 
soldiers.
  This August, after months of negotiating with the U.S. government, 
Mr. Rhodes and his producer Steve Olglesby, were given permission to 
travel to Iraq to spend time with troops from the 163rd and 406th, 
conduct interviews, and film a short documentary of their experiences 
in Iraq. Underscoring the hazardous nature of this trip, the day Mr. 
Rhodes and Mr. Olglesby left Al Diwaniyah, the base where they were 
staying came under mortar attack. Luckily, no one was injured.
  This dedication to our troops, commitment to our country, and 
selfless sacrifice deserves the praise and recognition of a grateful 
community and country. I commend Mr. Larry Rhodes for his personal 
service to his country and his ongoing efforts to support our men and 
women in uniform that proudly serve today.




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