[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 84 (Wednesday, May 21, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E983]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E983]]
                    HONORING BENJAMIN B. DUTTON, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. FRANK R. WOLF

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 20, 2008

  Mr. WOLF. Madam Speaker, I rise today to share with our colleagues 
the news about an outstanding recognition recently given to one of our 
House employees, who I am proud to say is a member of my staff. I pay 
tribute today to Benjamin B. Dutton, Jr., a man who is called ``Mr. 
Winchester.'' I am fortunate to have Ben representing my office in 
Winchester, Virginia, one of the best small cities in America.
  Along with diligently serving constituents not only for my office 
since 1990, when Winchester became part of the 10th Congressional 
District, but also for my predecessors George Allen and the late French 
Slaughter, Ben has played an active and key role in the Shenandoah 
Apple Blossom Festival since it began in 1927.
  The Apple Blossom Festival is a special event in Winchester each 
spring and I look forward to participating in the Grand Feature Parade 
every year. Ben was recognized this year in the Festival program as the 
``Keeper of the Flame'' for the Festival. He served as the president of 
the festival from 1970-1972 and currently serves on the Board. Even as 
Ben approaches his 83rd birthday this June, he is still actively 
involved in making sure the Apple Blossom Festival is a success every 
year.
  Ben is very deserving of all the honors and accolades coming his way 
and is truly committed in his service to his community. I am proud that 
he is a member of my staff and I am proud to call him my friend. The 
Festival program recognition of Ben as ``Keeper of the Flame'' follows:

                    Ben Dutton: Keeper of the Flame

       The Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival is constantly in a 
     state of flux; constantly reinventing itself. At the same 
     time, the Festival works very hard to maintain its balance; 
     to maintain its place in history; and, to never lose contact 
     with its roots and its purpose. We know all too well how the 
     Greatest Generation is being taken from us at an alarming 
     rate these days; but, one of the ``Keepers of Flame'' for the 
     Festival; one of the guardians of our roots, Mr. Ben Dutton, 
     is still carrying on an active role in the Festival world 
     even as he approaches his 83rd birthday.
       When asked recently when he reckoned that his involvement 
     with the Festival started, Ben replied, ``From the 
     beginning!'' Shortly after the Festival was founded, the 
     Washington Post ran a pictorial article in 1927 called ``The 
     Little Blossoms of Winchester''; and, Ben, aged two, was one 
     of the local children featured in the article. Ben is quick 
     to credit his Mother's very close friendship with Tom 
     Baldridge, the original ``Mr. Apple Blossom'', for instilling 
     in him early in life a great love and devotion for the 
     Festival. Mrs. B. B. Dutton, Sr., was the Chairman of the 
     Queen and Court Department those many years ago; and, Tom 
     Baldridge had started his incredible run as Director General 
     of the Festival in 1937 when Ben was just a child. Growing up 
     around Mr. Tom's boundless enthusiasm, seemingly 
     inexhaustible energy and undying love for the Pink and Green 
     lit a Festival fire in young Ben that has never been 
     quenched.
       Following graduation from Handley High School, Ben served 
     three years in the U.S. Army during World War II; graduated 
     from the University of Virginia in 1950; and, married his 
     lovely wife, Jean Whipple Dutton, in 1952. They began their 
     family of three beautiful daughters shortly thereafter; and, 
     Ben began working in the insurance business in Atlanta, 
     Louisiana and Southwest Virginia. In 1963, Ben returned to 
     Winchester for good; joining the firm of J. V. Arthur as a 
     Vice President and partner; and, immediately returning to the 
     Apple Blossom World. He served as President of the Festival 
     in 1970, 1971, and 1972. He served as the Festival's 
     volunteer Executive Director in 1971; and, professionally in 
     that capacity from 1995 to 1997.
       Ben remembers fondly from the early 70s, the establishment 
     of the ties between the Festival and the then-new Disney 
     World in Orlando; and, the beginning of the visits of 
     Disney's World Ambassador (always a pretty girl); and, of 
     Mickey Mouse. He also enjoyed helping to establish an adults' 
     beer, peanuts and dance party at the National Guard Armory 
     called ``Your Father's Mustache''. Another memory from the 
     past: the balls that used to be held in old, dry, wooden 
     packing sheds, filled with wooden apple crates and bulk bins; 
     and, decorated with cascades of crepe paper and lanterns. 
     While the memory sounds quaint and charming, it is obvious 
     that the insurance agent in Ben winces at the through of the 
     old-fashioned barn-dance-type fire hazards involved.
       When asked to describe his favorite Festival guests from 
     the early 1970s, Ben had no problem zeroing in on two very 
     special people; people who are not only very special in their 
     places in the history of the world; but, who are obviously 
     very special people in Ben Dutton's life. In 1972, Ben sought 
     out and received the services of the Reverend Billy Graham as 
     Grand Marshal of the Festival. It is not at all hard to 
     imagine the electric effect Graham had on the Festival crowds 
     that year. It is also obvious, listening to Ben tell the 
     story, that his time spent with Dr. Graham is something that 
     he will never forget. Ben says that the met him at Dulles 
     Airport and that Billy told him that ``he had always wanted 
     to cross the Blue Ridge and descend into the Shenandoah 
     Valley in the springtime.'' Ben's other favorite was the 
     Festival appearance in 1971 of Admiral Alan Shepard, who was 
     in town to crown his daughter, Juliana, as Queen. Shepard had 
     recently returned from an Apollo Mission to the Moon. Ben is 
     still fascinated by the fact that the raucous crowd at the 
     Stag Luncheon was instantly hushed to silence when Admiral 
     Shepard stepped to the microphone to describe his trip to the 
     Moon.
       When asked how he feels after all these years when he sees 
     the lead units of the Grand Feature Parade coming up 
     Washington Street Hill, Ben said that ``He still had; and, 
     always would have a tender spot in his heart for that 
     scene.'' He continued, ``What would springtime be like 
     without it?'' Ben, admittedly, had a rough winter of 2007-
     2008. Health problems kept him away from one Festival Board 
     Meeting after another; and, this was tough for a man who has 
     remained active enough in the Festival to have played a key 
     role in the establishment of a new event, the Men's 
     Commonwealth Luncheon, just two years ago. The February 2008 
     Board Meeting had already started when, unexpected and 
     unannounced, in the door walked Ben Dutton. The immediate 
     burst of applause was instantaneous, genuine, affectionate 
     and relieved. Festival people do know who the Keepers of the 
     Flame are; and, they are cherished!

                          ____________________