[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 40 (Tuesday, March 19, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1947-S1948]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO MAJOR NATHAN KLINE, RETIRED

 Mr. CASEY. Madam President, I wish to acknowledge the 
remarkable lifetime commitment of a Pennsylvania constituent to our 
Nation's security and veteran community. Maj. Nathan Kline, United 
States Air Force, Ret., has a total of 42 years of active and ready 
reserve service. His military career began at the age of 18 when he 
enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Forces in November 1942. During the war, 
he served as a B-26 Marauder bombardier and navigator who saw action 
during the D-day Invasion and the Battle of the Bulge. Serving on 65 
missions, his aircraft was shot down twice. His actions during the war 
earned him a Distinguished Flying Cross, 10 Air Medals, and 4 Battle 
Stars for the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal. Years 
later, the French Ambassador would welcome Major Kline into the Legion 
of Honour as recognition to his endeavors that contributed to the 
liberation of the people of France.
  After experiencing war firsthand, no one would have blamed Major 
Kline if he had withdrawn from service to live a quiet life in peace. 
Instead, he remained active in the military and continues to work hard 
to promote a society that respects its veterans and the sacrifices that 
they have made. Even in his advanced age, he continues to serve as an 
advocate on behalf of veterans and their families. As a founding member 
of the Lehigh Valley Military Affairs Council, LVMAC, he has raised 
money and created scholarships to help the families of those deployed, 
organized the assembly and shipment of care packages to deployed 
servicemembers, and assisted veterans in finding meaningful employment.
  Major Kline helps veterans of all generations. He fights for the 
well-being of today's veterans and recognizes the challenges they face, 
including PTSD and TBI. Our veterans have paid a high price for our 
American ideals and freedom. Major Kline has never forgotten what he 
fought for when he enlisted in the service over 70 years ago. The 
reason why he fought for his country above the skies of Normandy is the 
same reason why the young servicemember today fights for his Nation in 
the hills and mountains of Afghanistan. I cannot express this sentiment 
any better than Major Kline when he said, ``the Greatest Generation 
will always be embodied in the hearts, minds, and souls of whoever our 
fighting troops are and wherever they might be.''
  I share the story of Major Kline not just because of his heroic 
actions during the Second World War, but also because of his continued 
commitment to service. The commitment that a member of our military 
makes is usually not limited to service during war, but is often for 
life. Major Kline is a shining example of these principles.
  Sequestration and budgetary constraints threaten our defense budget 
and our support for veterans. We as a nation must ensure that we do not 
drastically affect the pay, medical care, and family programs of our 
active, reserve, and retired veterans.

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These men and women have served us before, and if Major Kline is any 
indication, they will continue to serve our communities for generations 
to come. For this reason and many others, we owe it to our Nation to 
ensure that our veterans are always supported and never 
forgotten.

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