[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 67 (Thursday, May 6, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E784]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           HONORING DENNIS AND PHYLLIS ENGER OF NORTH DAKOTA

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                           HON. EARL POMEROY

                            of north dakota

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 6, 2010

  Mr. POMEROY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Dennis and Phyllis 
Enger of Portland, North Dakota. Over the past several years Dennis and 
Phyllis have dedicated a significant portion of their time honoring and 
giving back to our Nation's heroes.
  Dennis decided to take up woodworking in retirement; this led him to 
begin making walking sticks. Once he had a few sticks completed he 
decided to have Dan Stenvold, the President of the North Dakota Vietnam 
Veterans of America and the Mayor of Park River, to bring the completed 
sticks to Walter Reed to present to injured soldiers on one of his 
trips to Washington. This initial gift so touched the families of these 
soldiers that Dennis and Phyllis decided to continue making walking 
sticks for our returning soldiers.
  The dedication of the Engers to giving back to our soldiers is truly 
remarkable and deserves to be applauded. The care and attention to 
detail on each of these walking sticks is remarkable; Dennis and 
Phyllis travel around the state to pick up scrap wood and work for more 
than 20 hours on each one. Their efforts have been aided by the Boy 
Scouts in Portland and the North Dakota Vietnam Veterans who have 
provided help with funds and help sanding the rough walking sticks. 
These gifts to our wounded soldiers have deeply touched and are deeply 
appreciated by those that have received them.
  The work of individuals like Dennis and Phyllis Enger who work 
tirelessly and selflessly to honor our veterans is worthy of our 
highest respect. I stand today to honor their service and to give my 
thanks on behalf of the people of North Dakota.

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