[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 125 (Tuesday, September 8, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S9127]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     RECOGNIZING J. THOMAS CALHOON

 Mr. CARPER. Mr. President, today I wish to speak about a 
member of our country's greatest generation, the generation of my 
parents who selflessly served our Nation during a time of great turmoil 
in the world. This generation made countless contributions to our 
society and continues to give unselfishly today. I offer my warmest 
wishes to one of them--Mr. J. Thomas Calhoon, of Hilliard, OH--on his 
84th birthday, on this Friday, the eighth anniversary of the attacks of 
September 11. I want to thank him for the many sacrifices he has made 
and continues to make for our great country.
  Born on September 11, 1925, in Wellsville, OH, Tom Calhoon was raised 
in East Liverpool, OH, and graduated from Grandview High School, class 
of 1943.
  On December 15, 1943, Tom enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. While 
serving in Japan during World War II, Corporal Calhoon sustained 
extensive combat injuries in Okinawa in June of 1945, including the 
loss of his right leg and a bullet in his left arm that remains there 
today. He spent over 2 years in hospitals throughout the United States, 
including Philadelphia Hospital, where he met his wife, Sarah Mae 
Shoemaker, who was a volunteer.
  He survived his injuries, and on August 29, 1947, Tom and Sarah were 
married and went on to have four sons, Thomas, Samuel, Donald, and 
Robert, and a daughter, Sarah. All five are children any parent would 
be proud of. Today, the Calhoon family has expanded to include seven 
grandchildren and two great-grandchildren due later this fall.
  During his time in the Marines, Cpl Tom Calhoon received two Purple 
Hearts and was a rifleman and an expert with the bayonet. After being 
discharged, he enrolled, in the fall of 1948, at the Ohio State 
University, of which he and all five of his children are alumni. It was 
at the Ohio State University that I first met two of his sons, one of 
whom is a close friend to this day.
  Corporal Calhoon worked in public relations and advertising for 50 
years in Columbus, OH. In addition to this full-time career, he spent 
countless hours of his time volunteering. As a member of the Lions 
Club, he received three national awards, including a Life Membership 
from the International Association of Lions Clubs Award in 1998 for 50 
years of Outstanding Dedicated Service. He also served as president of 
the Tri-Village Lions, former director of the Franklin County 
Agriculture Society, is a life member of the Northwest Franklin County 
Historical Society, and a former director of Pilot Dogs, Inc.
  An avid hunter and fisherman, Tom enjoys reading and watching war 
movies, which I hope he is getting to do on his birthday. Best wishes 
to you and your family, Tom, for many more.

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