[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 66 (Friday, May 13, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E888-E889]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING JOSEPH A. TORMALA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DAN BENISHEK

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 13, 2011

  Mr. BENISHEK. Mr. Speaker, let it be known, that it is a pleasure and 
honor to pay tribute to Joseph A. Tormala of Chassell, who was born and 
raised in the Copper Country by his parents, Ken and Mary Tormala of 
Atlantic Mine. He attended schools in Stanton Twp., and graduated from 
Houghton High School in 1983. He joined the Marine Corps in 1983 and 
married his high school sweetheart Sheila (Alatalo) in 1984, and they 
have one child, Katrina.
  Joe attended Marine boot camp and Infantry Training in California 
during the Beirut crisis of 1983 and was trained as a Huey & Cobra 
helicopter crew chief, and in marine security forces. He served in 
numerous deployments from 1985 through 1988 in Operation Northern 
Wedding and in missions to the Mediterranean and Caribbean regions. He 
served in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm and in Operation 
Fiery Vigil in the rescue, cleanup and evacuation of the Philippines 
during the eruption of Pinatubo. He left active duty in 1993 and moved 
back to the Copper Country.
  As a civilian, Joe went on to complete his education with an 
Associate Applied Science degree from Vincennes University, and 
certifications in Forensic Science--Criminal Investigations, Certified 
Security Supervisor, Certified Protection Officer and FEMA Emergency 
Program Manager. He was Director of Campus Security for Suomi College/
Finlandia University, Houghton CO. Special Deputy Sheriff, Hancock 
Reserve Police Officer, Chassell Township Fireman, and DNR Volunteer 
Conservation Officer.
  He rejoined components of the Army and Marine Corps 1994-2004 and 
participated in training missions across the United States, deployed 
with Task Force Timberwolf in Central America and participated in 
Operation Enduring Freedom in security missions following the 9/11 
attacks, until his mobilization and activation for 15 months in the 
Liberation of Iraq and Operation Iraqi Freedom I.

[[Page E889]]

  During his service in the Marine Corps and Army, Joe was decorated 
for Combat Action and received other awards for personal leadership, 
achievement and meritorious service; including the Purple Heart for 
wounds received in action in Iraq. His units were cited in Joint 
Meritorious Unit Awards, Valorous Unit Award, Navy Unit Commendations, 
Meritorious Unit Commendations, Navy Battle E, Navy Sea Service, Army 
Overseas, and other Service and Campaign Medals for his 3\1/2\ years 
spent overseas in five tours with Marine and Army Units.
  He is a volunteer by nature and has applied his entire adult life to 
serving others in the military, public safety, veterans' groups, and 
non-profits. He has been active in veterans' affairs for 25 years, 
notably organizing the Keweenaw Detachment #1016, Marine Corps League 
and Copper Country Chapter #789 Military Order Purple Heart with 
Vietnam veterans Gary Mattson and Tom Heikkinen. Joe continues to serve 
as a volunteer Michigan CCP Firearms Instructor and U.S. Army 
Ambassador for CRSC/TSGLI claims. He is a Christian and man of faith in 
God. He serves his local church in many capacities, and he and his 
wife, with their dog, Sunny greatly enjoy wandering the wilderness of 
the U.P. of Michigan and across America. The Copper Country is greatly 
honored to have Joe as the Grand Marshal of the Sixth Annual Parade of 
Thanks in Michigan's Keweenaw.

                          ____________________