[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 53 (Friday, April 4, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E511]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    ON THE PASSING OF HARRY McDONALD

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 3, 2008

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Madam Speaker, it is with great sadness that I 
rise today to recognize the passing of Harry Ryan ``Mack'' McDonald, 
Jr. Mack was a patriot who over the course of many years put his 
country before himself.
  Born on August 8, 1928. in Pensacola in my district in northwest 
Florida, Mack enjoyed an extensive career with both the United States 
Navy and Army. Over two decades of service saw him rise from his first 
enlistment to the rank of first sergeant and later retire at the rank 
of captain. Through those years he defended our Nation's liberty in 
World War II, the Korean war, and the Vietnam war. Mack's bravery in 
combat earned him, among other honors, both the Bronze Star Medal and 
the Combat Infantry Badge.
  After his retirement, Mack returned to northwest Florida. the area of 
the country where he had grown up and still wanted to call home. After 
building a house in the city of Crestview, Mack wanted to continue to 
be engaged with our Armed Forces and joined the Disabled American 
Veterans, DAV, Crestview Chapter 57. His love of service to his country 
showed in his involvement with DAV, and he served in many positions. 
Mack went on to become a chapter commander, a district commander, and a 
State commander. This is no small task given the number of veterans 
that choose to call the State of Florida their home.
  From 1997 to 1998, Mack served as the national commander for the 
Disabled American Veterans. There is no doubt that Mack was the right 
man for this monumental job. He served as the main advocate for over a 
million veterans throughout the nation. In this position, Mack traveled 
the Nation learning the needs of disabled veterans and came before 
Congress and the Department of Veterans Affairs to explain and press 
for improved services for those veterans.
  My condolences go out to Mack's wife Merallyn, their family, and all 
others who mourn the loss of this great servant to our Nation. America 
is a better, safer place because of him and those many others who 
served in our Armed Forces. He loved his country and his family deeply, 
and his loss will have a vast impact on many.
  Madam Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, it is with no 
small amount of sorrow that I tell of the passing of Mack McDonald from 
this world, and his family is in my thoughts and prayers.

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