[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 57 (Monday, May 2, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2573-S2574]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO LAWRENCE ELSWICK

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to Mr. 
Lawrence Elswick for his service to the United States. Mr. Elswick 
serves as a prime example of a man who truly puts others before 
himself.
  Having spent the majority of his life in the small town of Big Creek, 
KY, Mr. Elswick has touched the lives of several Kentuckians. Whether 
he is fixing the plumbing in a neighbor's bathroom or giving away free 
vegetables from his garden, Lawrence never hesitates when offering a 
helping hand.
  Although Lawrence came from a humble background, he allowed his 
upbringing to inspire him rather than hold him back. Having grown up as 
the oldest in a family with 8 children, Lawrence was molded into the 
leader that he still is today. Furthermore, Lawrence knows what it 
means to be truly dedicated. He has dedicated his life to serving his 
church, the people of the Commonwealth, and his country.
  Because Lawrence has always selflessly given to others, it came as no 
surprise when he joined the Army during World War II and willingly 
risked his life to defend our country. He was among the heroes who 
bravely fought on Normandy Beach in 1944. At one point in time, 
Lawrence went missing in action and remained behind enemy lines for a 
week. It is because of his immense courage and great service to this 
Nation that I stand here today honoring his achievements. Lawrence has 
been awarded numerous medals because of his service in the U.S. Army. 
His collection of medals include the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, the 
Combat Infantry Badge, the Good Conduct Medal, the European Theater of 
Operations Ribbon with four major stars, the Honorable Service Lapel 
Button, and the Presidential Citation Ribbon. Several of these medals 
are among the greatest honors that are bestowed upon our men and women 
in the service.
  It is because of Lawrence's strong character, his dedication to his 
family and friends, and his giving spirit that the Commonwealth of 
Kentucky is so proud to call him one of our own.
  The Appalachian News Express recently published an article 
commemorating Mr. Lawrence Elswick's service to the Commonwealth of 
Kentucky and

[[Page S2574]]

to the Nation, and I ask unanimous consent that the full article be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

           [From the Appalachian News Express, Mar. 2, 2011]

                       Elswick Says He Is Blessed

                           (By Nancy M. Goss)

       ``I've been here all my life, on this creek,'' says 88-
     year-old Lawrence Elswick. ``My dad bought this place back in 
     1943 when I was in the service. All my kids were born here 
     but my youngest.''
       Lawrence was born Sept. 30, 1922, the oldest of eight 
     children. He and two brothers, Bill Elswick of Elyria, Ohio, 
     and Sonny Elswick of London, are the only ones still living.
       He attended a one-room school on Meathouse Fork. His dad 
     taught school for two years and was a deputy clerk for Bessie 
     Arnold Riddle. He was killed in a mining accident just a few 
     days after Lawrence returned from the service.
       Lawrence Elswick and Rachel Fuller were married Feb. 21, 
     1942. They had five children: Lawrence Jr. of Meathouse Fork 
     of Big Creek, Judith Gail Baker (deceased), Connie Sue 
     Chapnum of Meathouse Fork of Big Creek and Patsy Blackburn 
     and Madonna Kaye Williamson, both of Stratton Fork of Canada. 
     They have 12 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. Rachel 
     died Aug. 15, 2007.
       ``Mom was known countywide for her biscuits,'' Patsy said. 
     ``And she would cook for anybody who would show up.''
       Lawrence's nickname is Curly. He has naturally curly hair, 
     but admits to getting perms. ``I was black headed,'' he says. 
     ``They used to call me Dean Martin.''
       Lawrence is a World War II veteran.
       In the beginning of his Army career, he was stationed in 
     Mississippi.
       ``I was put in the 99th Division, then after my training, I 
     came to Camp Shanks, New York, and caught a ship--The George 
     Washington. I was 14 days getting over there, to France.'' He 
     was then in the 4th Infantry Division. Later, he was also 
     part of the military police at Fort Campbell.
       His medals include The Purple Heart, The Bronze Star, 
     Combat Infantry Badge, the American Campaign, Good Conduct, 
     ETO, Ruptured Duck, Presidential Citation Ribbon, four major 
     battle stars on ETO ribbon, World War II, and Expert 
     Rifleman.
       ``I had a rough life in the service,'' he says. ``I went in 
     on Normandy Beach. I was missing in action . . . cut off 
     behind enemy lines for a week.''
       ``I got out on Oct. 3, 1945,'' Lawrence says. ``I was 
     supposed to get out on my birthday, up at Camp Breckinridge. 
     But they held me in the hospital for three days because I was 
     a diabetic--the sugar showed up on me, you know.''
       ``Dad worked in the mines for a while when he first came 
     out of the service,'' Patsy said. ``And he's put plumbing and 
     bathrooms in every house all up and down Meathouse.''
       ``I'm one of the best blessed men on Big Creek,'' Lawrence 
     says. ``I never drew an unemployment check and I never was 
     cut off from a job in my life. I worked 38 years for the gas 
     company. I was the maintenance man and worked in four 
     counties. I was a compressor engineer, is what they called 
     it. I'd take care of these pump stations.''
       Lawrence did plumbing on the side in the evenings while 
     working for the gas company. He said Al Reed helped him plumb 
     every house.
       ``I'd get him to help me. He was a real nice friend of 
     mine. Another good friend was Sonny Hall of Pikeville. He was 
     like a son to me,'' Lawrence said. ``And I can't not mention 
     Willie B. Thacker and Bethel Thacker. They were just like a 
     daddy and mother to me.''
       Lawrence says he's always been involved in politics.
       ``I've been a politician all my life and voted Democrat all 
     my life. Paul Patton came to my house and sat right down 
     there in that chair when he started to run for county judge 
     the first time. And Rick Bartley sat on my porch when he was 
     running . . . and Ira Branham, and Keith Hall, and Eddy 
     Coleman and his wife . . .''
       ``Dad's friends with all of them,'' Patsy said. I had an 
     anniversary party for him and mom on their 50th wedding 
     anniversary and we had over 300 people show up! I was afraid 
     I would run out of food.''
       Many years ago, Lawrence also had about 50 game cocks, 
     roosters, on strings at one time.
       ``That was back before Daddy ever belonged to church . . . 
     he'd referee. He had a colorful life!'' Patsy said.
       ``That was over in McDowell in Floyd County. I was the head 
     referee over there,'' Lawrence said. ``Now, I'm against it 
     the worst in the world . . . and I used to do it all the 
     time.''
       Lawrence is a Kentucky Colonel. He's also an ordained 
     deacon in the Big Creek Primitive Baptist Church. He and 
     Rachel were baptized in 1996, but attended church long before 
     that.
       ``I love my church,'' Lawrence says. ``There ain't but one 
     church and one God and he controls all of it. That's the way 
     I see it. You've got different denominations, but God 
     controls it all.''
       Today, Lawrence lives alone, but Patsy comes everyday to 
     check on him. She and her husband, Thomas, a Vietnam veteran, 
     have four children: Jenny Rebecca Hatfield of Stratton Fork, 
     Thomas Patrick of Columbus, Ohio, Zachary Slade and Rebecca 
     Cheyenne Webb, both of the home. They have five 
     grandchildren.
       Although he had a stroke in 2002, Lawrence appears to be in 
     excellent health. lie has a wonderful sense of humor, good 
     eyesight, still drives, still goes out and ``gins'' and does 
     favors for neighbors and friends. He works on everything from 
     lawn mower motors to car engines.
       ``I just gin all the time,'' he said. ``And I raise a 
     garden every year and I give it all away . . . to anybody 
     that wants it.''
       Patsy says people just come and take the vegetables right 
     out of the garden.
       ``And when he gets a lot, he'll take it to the service 
     station and give it away!'' she says with a laugh.
       To echo what Lawrence said earlier, he's ``one of the best 
     blessed men on Big Creek!''

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