[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 76 (Monday, June 3, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E767]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       A TRIBUTE TO VERNON YOUNG

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM LATHAM

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, June 3, 2013

  Mr. LATHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Vernon 
Young, an Iowan and a World War II Navy veteran, for joining Des Moines 
North High School's Class of 2013 and accepting his diploma after more 
than seven decades.
   Vernon Young, now age 88, was set to graduate from North High School 
in the spring of 1942. However, Mr. Young's plans for the future 
drastically changed as a result of the devastating attack on Pearl 
Harbor on December 7, 1941. Vernon wasted no time to answer the call of 
service and enlisted with the United States Navy a day after the 
attack. One short month later, he was deployed and contributing to 
America's pivotal and ultimately successful war effort.
   Mr. Young served honorably and went on to obtain a bachelor's degree 
after being accepted to school on the basis of equivalency criteria--
but he never attained his high school diploma. Now, more than 70 years 
later on May 24, 2013, Vernon, adorned in a green cap and gown, crossed 
the stage of North High School's 2013 graduation ceremony to receive 
it. At the ceremony, Vernon's older brother Marion Young was also 
honored for his service and sacrifice in World War II. Marion, a 1939 
graduate of North High School and an enlisted service member, was 
killed in action during the war.
   Mr. Speaker, it goes without saying that the selflessness and 
patriotism displayed by these brothers is truly extraordinary and a 
proud testament to the Iowa spirit. The efforts put forth by our 
country's greatest generation in a time of worldwide combat and 
uncertainty defined the prosperous and free nation that future 
generations continue to love and enjoy today. It is a great honor to 
represent veterans like Vernon Young in the United States Congress, and 
I invite my colleagues in the House to join me in congratulating him as 
both a veteran and as an official high school graduate. In all he has 
done, Vernon continues to be an example that our state and nation can 
be proud of.

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