[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 106 (Monday, July 19, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1360]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO DWIGHT D. THOMAS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ROBERT B. ADERHOLT

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 19, 2010

  Mr. ADERHOLT. Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize Dwight D. 
Thomas, who retired from the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs on 
June 30, 2010. A gentleman from my home County of Winston who truly 
embodies the American principles of hard work, patriotism, dedication 
to one's family and service to one's community.
  For the past twenty-two years and nine months, the veterans in 
Winston County, Alabama have had no better friend than Dwight Thomas. 
During that time he unselfishly served Winston County and the State of 
Alabama with great dedication and distinction. He worked tirelessly to 
ensure our veterans and their families received the benefits they had 
earned. His one driving goal was simply to help people.
  Dwight was born in my hometown of Haleyville, Alabama in 1944. He is 
the son of the late C. D. and Vera Thomas. He is married to the former 
Trudy Gravitt and has two sons, Craig and Chad. He and his wife are 
active members of the Haleyville First United Methodist Church.
  Dwight graduated from Haleyville High School in 1962 and continued 
his education at Walker College, receiving his Associate of Science 
degree in 1965. After school, he entered the United States Army and 
served from 1966 to 1968, serving in Vietnam from January 1967 to July 
1968. He was honorably discharged in 1968 having reached the rank of 
Sergeant. While in the Army, he received the Army Commendation Medal, 
Good Conduct Medal, Meritorious Unit Citation, Vietnam Campaign Medal 
with ``V'' device, National Defense Service Medal and the Vietnam 
Service Medal.
  Dwight has also been active with the local Boy Scout Troop 97, 
serving as Scoutmaster from 1969 to 1981 and is currently the 
institutional representative. He has served on the Haleyville City 
Council for two terms from 1980 to 1988. During that period he served 
as liaison to the Parks and Recreation Department and the Haleyville 
Fire Department and was instrumental in the construction of a new fire 
station. Currently, Dwight is the Commander of VFW Post 4543 and has 
held every office in the VFW at the local and district level.
  Madam Speaker, it is a great privilege for me to honor Dwight D. 
Thomas for his many years of dedicated service to our nation's 
veterans. He has had an enduring impact on his country, community, 
friends and family. He is a man of great dignity and character who 
takes pride in the accomplishments of those he has helped over the 
years. It is clear that he has been a friend and advocate to the 
veterans of Winston County. Madam Speaker, no doubt Dwight will be 
greatly missed in his position with the Department of Veterans Affairs. 
Dwight is an inspiring role model for all of us and I join his friends, 
family and colleagues in wishing him God's richest blessings in his 
retirement.

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