[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 21 (Tuesday, February 4, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Pages S758-S759]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           REMEMBERING COLONEL WILLIAM EDWARD CALLENDER, SR.

 Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. President, today, I would like to pay 
tribute to COL William Edward ``Bill'' Callender, Sr., U.S. Army, 
Retired. Bill was a friend, a national hero proven in combat, a man who 
loved his family, and a man who committed himself to service to others. 
To an exceptional degree, he loved his country and most especially, he 
loved and honored those who served her in uniform.

[[Page S759]]

  The scripture says, in describing faith as more than intellectual 
assent, but action, that when Abraham was called, he ``went.'' When 
Bill's Nation called him, he went--even into great danger. And, to a 
most unusual degree, throughout the remainder of his life, he continued 
to hear that call and he went--in service to others in a host of ways 
and especially to veterans.
  I believe Bill Callender was one of Alabama's most valuable citizens. 
Vivian Cannon, of the Mobile Press Register, wrote at the time of his 
receipt of the Distinguished Flying Cross, given for his actions on 
that harrowing day in Vietnam when he flew his chopper into a very hot 
landing gone to insert and later that day to extract American soldiers 
who were under heavy fire--a very fine piece on these events. Her 
article quotes a letter he wrote to his wife shortly after the events 
that included this line: ``By the grace of God, we came out OK.'' Such 
courageous actions cannot be bought with money. They arise from the 
character of the hero, from love of country and from loyalty to 
comrades.
  It is part of the American sense of duty. Former Secretary of Defense 
Bob Gates talks about it in his new book, ``Duty.'' When the President 
and we in Congress send our magnificent soldiers into harm's way to 
achieve a military objective deemed important, there is also a duty 
owed them and their dependents of the highest order. It is a bond that 
must never be broken.
  Perhaps Bill never forgot that experience in Vietnam and others like 
it that were up close and personal to him. There were those badly 
wounded he flew out for life saving care, those killed in action, and 
those young, anxious faces he looked into when he flew them into areas 
of great danger where lives would be lost and where, by the grace of 
God, Bill had been spared.
  Thereafter, he began a lifetime of service to them and America. And 
serve he did--with joy and enthusiasm, wisdom and judgment, and 
responsibility.
  By nature, he was supportive and affirming. He was just a ``good 
guy'' and ``humble,'' says Wallace Davis of Volunteers of America. I 
admired him greatly. He was a leader in the best sense of the word. He 
gave good advice and insight. I valued his judgment. He led by example.
  When my senior military advisor, COL Pete Landrum, came to the Mobile 
area, we asked Bill to arrange meetings for veterans and sought his 
input on key issues. He was the go-to guy. In fact, few, if any, 
veterans activities in the area happened without his leadership and 
contribution.
  Serving on the important Battleship Commission, his tireless advocacy 
for the new Veterans Cemetery, working with the Veterans Administration 
and Congress and others, and his vigorous support for the Honor Flight 
Program just reflect some of his work. He truly gave himself for many 
good causes.
  Bill leaves behind his wonderful wife, Jacqueline Bachar Callender; 
his 3 daughters, Ginger (Jay) Hawkins, Cyndi Callender and Tammy (Jeff) 
Hadley; 12 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren, and many great 
friends who are feeling his loss but can take comfort in the knowledge 
that we have had the privilege of being in the presence of a remarkable 
man who lived a wonderful life, consistent with the great heritage of 
America.

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