[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 173 (Thursday, November 8, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2361]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO RAYMOND ADAMS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BART STUPAK

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, November 8, 2007

  Mr. STUPAK. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor a constituent who has 
served his country admirably in our Armed Forces and, in civilian life, 
continued to serve his local community.
  Mr. Raymond Adams is ``Ogemaw County Veteran of the Year'' as named 
by the Ogemaw County Veterans Alliance. The Veterans Alliance through 
its member organizations, represents all veterans in Ogemaw County. The 
Ogemaw County Veteran of the Year Award is considered the highest honor 
that the Alliance bestows upon fellow veterans.
  A native of Ogemaw County, Mr. Adams has been a patriot all of his 
life. He was so determined to serve his Nation that, even when the Air 
Force initially turned him away, he re-applied. It took three attempts 
and a few years before he was able to successfully enlist in the Air 
Force in September of 1962.
  After basic training, Mr. Adams was sent to McGuire Air Force Base in 
New Jersey to train as an air policeman. He was stationed there until 
June 1965, where he learned the skills and duties of an air policeman.
  Following his training at McGuire Air Force Base, Mr. Adams went to 
Vietnam. He was stationed just outside of Saigon.
  A modest man, Mr. Adams downplays his own service in Vietnam. In his 
own words, he writes, ``I didn't see too much action. I was one of the 
lucky guys.'' Regardless of his own humility, Mr. Adams' service is to 
be commended and appreciated.
  While stationed in Vietnam, he received additional K-9 training, 
learning to handle and utilize a police dog.
  In June of 1966, Mr. Adams returned home to Michigan and entered 
civilian life. For a few years he worked in construction and spent some 
time working in local automobile factories. He was hired into Michigan 
Bell in January 1969, where he would work for the next 25 years, 
retiring in 1994.
  Mr. Adams would also raise a family in the area. In January of 1970, 
Mr. Adams married Gayle Wangler. As of today, they have been married 
nearly 40 years. Together, they raised two daughters.
  Even after Mr. Adams left the military and re-entered civilian life, 
his sense of service remained strong and intact. An active member of 
Ogemaw Hills Free Methodist Church, he has remained deeply involved in 
his community and dedicated much of his personal time to helping those 
in need. His church group has built schools and churches in Mexico and 
throughout Central America. Mr. Adams belongs to the Red Cross and has 
volunteered time with Habitat for Humanity. He has also been active 
with Hospice of Helping Hands and the Ogemaw County Mobile Food Bank. 
He volunteered to assist clean up and recovery efforts in Louisiana and 
Mississippi following Hurricane Katrina.
  Ray has also remained an active advocate for his fellow veterans. He 
is a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Last year, I was honored 
to attend the opening of a new Veterans Museum at the Ogemaw County 
Fairgrounds. Ray was instrumental in helping to put together this 
important monument honoring his fellow local veterans. When Ray's local 
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post needed remodeling, Ray helped take the 
lead, handling many of the permitting issues that needed to be cleared 
before work could be completed.
  While he has donated his own time, energy and effort to these many 
valuable community causes, he has never asked for any recognition. As 
one local resident put it, not only is it appropriate that Mr. Adams be 
recognized as ``Veteran of the Year,'' but he would certainly be 
eligible to be ``Volunteer of the Year.''
  Clearly, Madam Speaker, this is a man who understands profoundly the 
value of service and the responsibility we all have to help others. On 
November 11th, Veterans Day, members of the Ogemaw community will come 
together to honor Mr. Raymond Adams. As this noble, hardworking and 
humble man is recognized by his fellow veterans and by his community, I 
would ask, Madam Speaker, that you and the entire U.S. House of 
Representatives join me in saluting Raymond Adams for his lifetime of 
service and offering him the thanks of a grateful Nation.

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