[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 5 (Thursday, January 9, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Pages S220-S221]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO MARIE AND JOHN NOLAN

 Mr. JOHANNS. Mr. President, I wish to congratulate Marie and 
John ``Jack'' Nolan of Lincoln, NE, on their 70th wedding anniversary. 
Their commitment to one another and their devotion to family and faith 
are an inspiration.
  Jack Nolan and Marie Barrett met in Pennington, NJ, where Jack and 
Marie's brothers were classmates at Pennington Prep School. Jack and

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Marie became friends and then started to date. They kept dating as Jack 
left for college to play center for Temple University's football team 
in Philadelphia, PA. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 
1941, and the U.S. entrance into the war, Jack volunteered for Army Air 
Forces Aviation. In an instant, Jack was no longer playing football for 
Temple but, rather, beginning his primary training in San Antonio, 
Texas.
  Jack's move to San Antonio would be the first of many moves to 
follow. After completing flight school and additional trainings, he was 
sent to B-25 bomber school in Greenville, SC. During this time, Jack 
and Marie wrote letters and remained devoted to one another. Jack knew 
that he would soon be sent overseas to fight in World War II, but he 
had one last thing to do at home: marry Marie. Marie travelled on a 
troop train to Greenville, SC, and married Jack on January 6, 1944. 
Three weeks later, Jack was sent to fight in New Guinea.
  After his service in New Guinea, Jack and Marie were moved to Pampa, 
TX, and then to Enid, OK, where he taught others to fly the B-25 
bombers. World War II ended while they were living in Enid. After the 
war, Jack remained in the Air Force, continuing his service to our 
great Nation. I am told that Marie and Jack like to reminisce about 
their more than 20 moves throughout his military career. They lived in 
numerous places across the United States, and Jack spent more than a 
year in Japan. Marie's support of Jack and his military service was 
unwavering. She remained focused on her husband, faith, and growing 
family.
  His last assignment was at Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base in Kansas 
City, MO. After his retirement from the Air Force in the early 1960s, 
Marie and Jack remained in Kansas City. Jack coordinated emergency 
preparedness for the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. Marie served 
as a church secretary at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Kansas City. 
They called Kansas City home for 30 years.
  Since 1990, they have lived in Lincoln, NE. Being active in their 
church and community and helping others has always been of great 
importance to them. Marie and Jack have been blessed with four 
children, six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. The family 
has shared that they are grateful for Jack and Marie's relentless love, 
example of faith in action, and encouragement. Their partnership as 
husband and wife sets a great example for others to follow. 
Congratulations to Marie and Jack on seventy years of marriage. May God 
bless them always.

                          ____________________