[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 91 (Thursday, June 17, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1141-E1142]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 STATE COMMANDER OF INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF THE VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS 
                           EUGENE KIJANOWSKI

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 17, 2010

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Madam Speaker, it is with great honor that I stand 
before you today to pay tribute to Eugene H. Kijanowski and to 
congratulate him on his upcoming installation as the State Commander of 
the Indiana Department of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Northwest 
Indiana is certainly indebted to Mr. Kijanowski for his tireless 
commitment to those who have crossed seas to fight for our country. In 
honor of Mr. Kijanowski, a celebratory reception will be held on June 
20, 2010, at Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 717 in Saint John, 
Indiana.
  Eugene Kijanowski hails from a family with a great military 
tradition. All three of his brothers served in the armed forces--Thomas 
and Jerome in the Army, and Wayne in the Air Force. Eugene began his 
military career in Whidbey Island, Washington, as a member of the 
United States Navy, where he worked as a parachute rigger and 
specialized in aircraft hydraulics. He was then transferred to Miramar 
Naval Air Station to Light Photographic Squadron 63, where he became 
Aviation Hydraulics Mechanic Third Class as well as a plane captain for 
the squadron. On the morning of October 26, 1966, aboard the USS 
Oriskany off the coast of North Vietnam, Mr. Kijanowski was forced to 
show his true character as a disastrous fire broke out on the flight 
deck. Crewmen, including Eugene, valiantly fought the fire, jettisoning 
heavy bombs which lay within reach of the flames. Other men wheeled 
planes out of danger, rescued pilots, and helped to halt the fire. In 
the end, 44 sailors perished and 156 were injured. The USS Oriskany 
returned to Subic Bay on October 28, 1966; and Eugene was discharged on 
November 16, 1966. His courage and performance on the USS Oriskany 
earned him the Vietnam Service Medal.
  Commander Kijanowski joined the VFW in 1976 and has since held every 
office in his post. He has gamered many accolades and is a perennial 
state award winner. During his service with the VFW, Eugene was awarded 
the prestigious Eisenhower Award for outstanding leadership. Eugene 
will continue his lifelong commitment to the VFW and will become State 
Commander of the Indiana Veterans of Foreign Wars on June 20, 2010. For 
his truly heroic service to our nation and his outstanding dedication 
to the VFW, Mr. Kijanowski is worthy of the highest praise.
  Eugene's devotion to the VFW is exceeded only by his devotion to his 
wonderful family. He has been married to his loving wife, Mary, for 42 
years. They have two beloved children: Mary and Kevin.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues 
join me in commending Eugene Kijanowski for his service and dedication 
in the United States Navy and

[[Page E1142]]

congratulate him on his new position of leadership as State Commander 
of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Indiana.

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