[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 10 (Friday, January 16, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S650]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO NORRIS O'NEIL CHANDLER

 Mrs. McCASKILL. Mr. President, today I recognize Mr. Norris 
O'Neil Chandler and his lifetime of service to his country and his 
community. Mr. Chandler was born in Chaffee, MO, on August 11, 1923, 
and enlisted in the Regular Army at Jefferson Barracks. Following basic 
training he was assigned to a special amphibious engineering unit 
activated for World War II--the 149th Engineer Combat Battalion.
  Mr. Chandler bravely participated in the monumentally important 
invasion of France on Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944, as a demolition 
specialist for the 149th. He would fight alongside his brethren, all of 
whom have rightfully become known as the Greatest Generation, from 
those Normandy beaches all the way to Germany, enduring hardship, 
tragedy, and triumph along the way. His efforts were one small part of 
changing the world as the forces of evil that sought to exterminate an 
entire religion and to deny freedom to so many were defeated. Mr. 
Chandler returned home, and like so many of his fellow veterans never 
stopped doing his small part to serve his country nor ever asked for 
anything in return for his humble service. This type of character 
cannot be taught, but it certainly can be appreciated. It is the finest 
exemplar of American values, and I honor Mr. Chandler and his American 
values today.
  More specifically, following his service in WWII, Mr. Chandler became 
part of the newly activated Organized Reserve Corps, which developed 
into what is known today as the U.S. Army Reserve. Mr. Chandler 
continued his service in the Reserve Corps from December 1945 until 
October 1951, at which point he entered civilian service with the 
Missouri Military District, 11th Army Corps, St. Louis, MO, where he 
held various positions. Over 40 years later, Mr. Chandler remains 
employed by this organization, now known as the Directorate of 
Logistics-Washington's Media Distribution Division. This sort of 
longevity, commitment and humble service is hard to even comprehend in 
today's world, but it is easy to understand when you think of the 
values of the Greatest Generation that Mr. Chandler exudes.
  It is because of people like Mr. Norris O'Neil Chandler that I am so 
proud to be a Senator representing the State of Missouri. I have even 
been told that he has more than 3,300 hours of unused sick leave, and 
has donated much of his annual leave to other employees through the 
leave donation program. It is because of the generosity and dedication 
of people like Mr. Chandler that the United States of America is the 
great Nation that it is.
  For 60 years, Mr. Chandler has given so much to his country, his 
community, and his family, yet demanded so little back. I wish today to 
give my simple, humble thanks to this American hero. I have the utmost 
respect and gratitude for those who live their lives like Mr. Chandler. 
As we honor him today, he is a reminder to all of us of the true value 
of selfless service, and the impact of that service in our communities, 
our States, and our country.

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