[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 155 (Saturday, September 27, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2084]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING GERALD A. EHINGER ON BEING NAMED OGEMAW COUNTY'S VETERAN OF 
                                THE YEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BART STUPAK

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 26, 2008

  Mr. STUPAK. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Gerald A. Ehinger of 
West Branch, Michigan. Mr. Ehinger has been named Ogemaw County's 
Veteran of the Year, and I ask that you, Madam Speaker, and the entire 
U.S. House of Representatives, join me in honoring him on this 
momentous occasion.
  Born in West Branch, Michigan on February 9, 1927 to Anthony and 
Elizabeth Ehinger, Gerald Ehinger grew up in a large family with six 
brothers and three sisters. He attended and graduated in 1943 from St. 
Joseph Catholic High School of West Branch. After graduation Mr. 
Ehinger held several different jobs until he joined the U.S. Army.
  In November of 1945, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and attended basic 
training at Camp Crowder, Missouri. Following graduation, he was 
assigned to the 972nd Signal Service Battalion, stationed at Konehe 
Naval Air Base in Hawaii. He served there for one year installing and 
repairing communication lines throughout the island. In February 1947, 
he was honorably discharged and returned back to his hometown of West 
Branch, Michigan.
  From 1947 until his retirement in 1983, he worked for Consumers Power 
Company as a service lineman, working the last 25 years as a lineman 
supervisor. On May 12, 1956 he married his wife of 52 years, Joan. 
Together they have four wonderful children, three daughters and a son: 
Geri Marie, Katherine, Susan and John. Gerald and Joan are also the 
proud grandparents of six.
  Since he left the Army, Mr. Ehinger has been involved in numerous 
civic and veterans organizations, including: the American Legion Post 
103, of which he is a lifetime member of more than 50 years; the 
Knights of Columbus and the National Rifle Association. Mr. Ehinger has 
also served on the Board of Directors of Ogemaw County's Emergency 
Assistance Program and as President of the Spring Creek Hunt Club.
  Gerald Ehinger is being honored as Ogemaw County's Veteran of the 
Year this Veteran's Day by the Ogemaw County Veterans Alliance. In 
accepting the award, Mr. Ehinger wrote, ``I accept this award knowing 
that many other veterans are more deserving of it than I am and do so 
wish to thank each and everyone for this honor.'' Himself a U.S. Army 
veteran, Mr. Ehinger has been an advocate for the veterans of Ogemaw 
County and a distinguished leader within the community.
  Madam Speaker, Mr. Ehinger selflessly served his country and has 
advocated for his fellow veterans ever since. I ask that you and the 
entire U.S. House of Representatives join with me in honoring Gerald 
Ehinger as he receives the Veteran of the Year award from the Ogemaw 
County Veterans Alliance.

                          ____________________