[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 42 (Thursday, March 21, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Page S2143]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO C.L. SWOPES

 Mr. BOOZMAN. Madam President, we salute our veterans for their 
selfless commitment and immeasurable sacrifice to protect this nation 
and its ideals so we can continue to be the greatest, freest country 
the world has ever known. Standing up to tyranny, oppression and 
cruelty around the world, our troops exhibit courage under the most 
daunting circumstances.
  Today I want to recognize the service and sacrifice of one of our 
veterans from the ``Greatest Generation'' who exemplified these traits 
during World War II and who is celebrating a milestone--his 100th 
birthday, C.L. Swopes.
  Mr. Swopes spent 25 years in the Navy, originally entering the 
service to get relief from the hardships of the Great Depression. ``The 
money was what I was after,'' he told a local newspaper about his 
reason for enlisting.
  Serving in the Pacific during WWII, Mr. Swopes experienced first-hand 
the realities of war on the U.S.S. Hornet during the Doolittle Raid, 
the Battle of Midway and its sinking at the Battle of Santa Cruz.
  ``Teaching you how to climb down a rope in practice is one thing, but 
reality is another,'' Mr. Swopes recalled to local media about his 
evacuation from the sinking aircraft carrier.
  Admittedly a weak swimmer, he spent hours in the water until being 
picked up by a lifeboat.
  He continued his military career after WWII serving around the world 
and throughout the country before retiring in Millington, Tennessee.
  During his service, the Desha County native made a family with his 
wife Mary Jane. He impressed upon his children Marva, Paulette, 
Lorraine, and Anthony, the importance of education. ``I wished for an 
education so many days,'' Mr. Swopes said because it would have given 
him additional opportunities in his career.
  After his Naval career, Mr. Swopes returned to his native Watson, 
Arkansas to take over the family farm.
  I thank C.L. Swopes for his service and sacrifice as he celebrates 
his 100th birthday and wish him many more years of happiness.

                          ____________________