[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 102 (Wednesday, July 17, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1080]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            TRIBUTE TO RETIRED SERGEANT MAJOR HOWARD BAKEMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 17, 2013

  Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to praise a true American hero, 
retired Army Sergeant Major Howard Bakeman, who passed away on June 1, 
2013, at the age 95.
  A veteran of World War II, Mr. Bakeman survived the attack on Pearl 
Harbor while serving as a staff sergeant at Schofield Barracks in 
Hawaii. Remarkably, two of his brothers were also stationed at Pearl 
Harbor during the Japanese attack and all three survived. After the 
war, he remained in the Army through peace-time and was again called to 
action in 1950 to serve his country in the Korean conflict.
  In 1959, he was promoted to Sergeant Major, serving nine more years 
before fulfilling his obligation to Uncle Sam.
  After completing his active duty tour, Mr. Bakeman moved to Mobile in 
1968 where he worked for two years as an Army ROTC instructor at 
Citronelle High School. During his time in Citronelle, he was 
recognized for having the largest number of Army cadets to enlist from 
any of the schools in Mobile County.
  Mr. Bakeman's dedication to duty was typical of many who served 
during what is often described as ``the greatest generation.'' He loved 
what he did and looked at his time served as an adventure. In an 
interview early last year with Mobile's Fox 10 television, he observed, 
``I didn't have to pay for anything. It's not every employer that pays 
you to go to these exotic countries.''
  Mr. Bakeman also offered some advice on life and patriotism. ``Be 
respectful. Remember where you came from. Remember where you are 
living. Respect authority and respect the flag. Now if they can't do 
that, they better pack and haul it. There's absolutely no excuse.''
  Mr. Bakeman hailed from a family of dedicated servicemen--along with 
his father and two brothers--the Bakeman men served a combined total of 
123 years in the armed forces. What's more, even well into his 90's, 
Mr. Bakeman was a familiar presence at local events honoring our 
veterans. He always wore his uniform proudly.
  On behalf of the people of Alabama, I wish to extend heartfelt 
condolences to his niece, Elizabeth Lynch, and his entire family and 
many friends. We will forever be indebted to his heroism and his 
service to our nation.

                          ____________________