[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 85 (Thursday, May 22, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1021]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING JOHN B. CHEEK OF HOMOSASSA, FLORIDA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GINNY BROWN-WAITE

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 21, 2008

  Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to 
honor a soldier who fought bravely in one of the deadliest and decisive 
battles of the bulge. John B. Cheek, a resident of my district for the 
past twenty-six years and who lives in Homosassa, Florida, was born on 
August 7, 1923 in Olitic, Indiana. Following the entry of the United 
States in World War II, Mr. Cheek joined the military, where he served 
from 1943 to 1946 in the United States Army.
  Mr. Cheek served as a technician 5th grade in the Battery B 556th 
Anti-Aircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion. It was in this 
position that he fought the axis powers as a lateral tracker on 40 
caliber and 50 caliber machine guns in Rhineland and Central Europe. 
During his three-year tour of duty, Mr. Cheek earned several medals for 
his service, including the good conduct medal, the American Campaign 
Medal, the European African Eastern Campaign Medal, the WWII Victory 
Medal, the Honorable Service Lapel Pin, and the Honorable Discharge 
Button.
  A current resident of Homosassa, in Citrus County, Florida, Mr. Cheek 
has been married to Helen F. Goodwin for sixty-two years. He and his 
wife have three loving daughters, Carol, Sandra and Sue, one son, Ron, 
eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Mr. Cheek has been a 
long-time member of the Disabled American Veterans and a proud member 
of the masons for many years, to this day remaining active in his 
community.
  Madam speaker, members of the greatest generation and brave veterans 
like Mr. Cheek pass on from this life each and every day. Having fought 
the enemy in Belgium, France & Germany, it wasn't until recently that 
Mr. Cheek would discuss the war with his family and tell them how proud 
he was to have been a part of it. Like every soldier who has worn the 
uniform, Mr. Cheek feels honored to be an American that helped fight 
for all of our freedoms and defeat the Germans in World War II. Now is 
the time for Congress to honor his memory and recognize his 
accomplishments on the field of battle.

                          ____________________