[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 11 (Wednesday, January 25, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E75-E76]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               A TRIBUTE TO FRANCIS ``FRANNIE'' DRUMMOND

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. MICHAEL G. FITZPATRICK

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 25, 2012

  Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, our hometown hero Francis ``Frannie'' 
Drummond was born to Mary and Francis Drummond on October 15, 1949. 
Frannie was one of five children. Locally raised in Langhorne, he 
attended Our Lady of Grace grade school and went on to graduate from 
Egan High School in 1967.
  Recently graduated and unsettled with his job, a very young Fran 
decided to enlist before he was drafted into the service. Intending to 
first join the army with his friend, he switched gears to the Marine 
Corp after seeing a Marine in his dress blues. Fran served as a Lance 
Corporal under Fox Company Second B. 7th Marines in South Vietnam 
during the height of the U.S. involvement in the Vietnam conflict. 
Unspeakable war time horrors were abated by Fran's undefeated boxing 
abilities

[[Page E76]]

for his company. Days were made a little brighter by mom's daily 
letters from home.
  Fran's homecoming in 1970 darkened by the protestors of the Vietnam 
War at the airport was further darkened by the death of his father on 
the night of his return.
  Moving ever forward, a determined Fran went on to work for the United 
Postal Service, a job he would hold for forty years. Fran worked 
equally as hard to capture the heart of his true love, Audrey Foley. 
Married in 1972, the soul mates were blessed with 2 children, Frannie 
and Jennifer, whom they raised on the family land nicknamed 
``Drummondville'' where they were fortunate enough to build their own 
home. Summer vacations then and now are spent enjoying the sunny 
beaches of Ocean City, only now Fran and Audrey enjoy the company of 
their grandchildren, Aiden, Morgan, Ashley, Alley and Leighton.
  Physically active and fit throughout his adult years, Fran played 
softball in the mens Lower Bucks league. Fran also proved to be Bucks 
County's own Jack La Lanne in fitness and weight lifting.
  Ever a good Catholic boy, Fran can be found at daily mass at his home 
parish of Our Lady of Grace thanking God for the blessings of his life. 
He spends his Sundays as an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion 
delivering to the residents of Langhorne Manor Nursing Home.
  A tireless advocate for Veterans and their needs, Fran serves as the 
Jr. Vice Commander for Disabled Veterans and is a very active member of 
the American Legion for the Veterans of foreign wars. He personally 
drives veterans to and from their doctor and hospital appointments, the 
Veterans Administration building or wherever they may need to go. In 
addition to taking the Veterans where they need to go, he also lends a 
hand with their home and auto repairs.
  No task is too small or large when it comes to lending a helping hand 
for this Marine. One particular life changing incident during Fran's 
tour in Vietnam proved to be an extreme example of Fran's life's motto 
``Leave no man behind.''
  Huddled in a sandbag bunker somewhere in South Vietnam, Fran and 
fellow Marines were trying to stay alive and dry during a driving 
monsoon when the bunker collapsed due to the heavy rain fall. The 
collapse trapped Fran and his fellow soldiers who quickly became neck 
deep in mud and rain water. Refusing to give up, Fran crawled forward 
dragging a fellow soldier to safety. Holding the roof up, reportedly 2 
tons of weight, soldiers were able to crawl to safety. Severely 
injured, unable to walk, knowing one fellow soldier remained in the 
crushed bunker, Fran crawled to a nearby bunker alerting them of his 
injured buddy. Helicopters transported the injured Marines to area 
hospitals never again to see each other. Birdman, Messler and other 
soldiers are alive today because of Fran Drummond's heroic actions. 
These men call Fran their savior and know without Fran's help they 
would not be alive today nor have families of their own. Ever faithful 
Fran knows that someone more powerful was with him that day, his savior 
Jesus Christ.
  Fran's commitment to America and its citizens is a shining example of 
what makes this country strong. Raised by his parents, Marines 
themselves, Frannie has spent his entire life in service to his family 
and fellow man. He has gone beyond the call of duty serving and 
protecting us all, indeed making the United States a safer and better 
place to live.
  He is an honorable man, a leader, a marine, and our hero. Semper Fi.

                          ____________________