[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 95 (Wednesday, June 18, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1015]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING ELI TAKESIAN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. FRANK R. WOLF

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 18, 2014

  Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Eli Takesian, former 
associate pastor of the Vienna Presbyterian Church and decorated 
military chaplain.
  Eli served in Korea and Vietnam, eventually earning the position of 
Chief Chaplain of the Marine Corps at Marine Corps Headquarters in 
Washington, DC. He passed away on May 20, 2014, at the Walter Reed 
National Medical Center.
  I submit the following program notes from Eli's funeral. He was a 
true patriot.

       Eli Takesian died on May 20, 2014 at the Walter Reed 
     National Medical Center.
       Born on February 28, 1932 in Methuen, Massachusetts, the 
     son of Stephan and Koharig Takesian and uncle to many loved 
     nephews and nieces. Eli is survived by his sister, Helen 
     Hagopian. His brothers, Raffi, Jack and Vartkes predeceased 
     him.
       Eli served in Korea with the 1st Marine Division from 
     November 1951 to November 1952. Following his discharge from 
     the Marine Corp, he graduated from Baylor University in 1957. 
     He then continued his education at the University of 
     Edinburgh, Scotland and Princeton Theological Seminary, 
     receiving a master's degree in theology in 1960. The same 
     year Eli was ordained a minister by the United Presbyterian 
     Church. After serving a pastorate in Amsterdam, Ohio, Eli 
     returned to the military as a Navy Chaplain.
       Chaplain Takesian served two tours of duty in Vietnam and 
     then spent 20 years as a senior chaplain, becoming Chief 
     Chaplain of the Marine Corps at Marine Corps Headquarters in 
     Washington, DC. While in Vietnam in 1968, even though he was 
     not assigned to the unit, Chaplain Takesian joined the 1st 
     Battalion, 5th Marines Regiment, 1st Marine Division on the 
     battlefield in Hue City--one of the most famous and bloodiest 
     Vietnam War battles. Eli brought prayers, support and hope to 
     the wounded and the dying. In 2007, in his home town of 
     Methuen, men of the 1st Battalion 5th Marines had a monument 
     built in remembrance of his bravery.
       During his service in the military, Chaplain Takesian was 
     awarded a number of combat decorations including the Legion 
     of Merit, two Bronze Stars with Combat Vs and four 
     Presidential Unit Citations.
       He retired from naval service in 1987 and became an 
     associate pastor of the Vienna Presbyterian Church retiring 
     in 1995. Until his death, Chaplain Takesian continued to 
     provide ministerial services to military retirement 
     communities and churches in Northern Virginia.
       While studying in Scotland, Eli discovered his passion for 
     music and the arts. When serving as Chaplain on Governor's 
     Island in New York, he met and fell in love with Broadway 
     actress and vocalist, Margaret Broderson, who studied at 
     Julliard. They were married in 1978 in the Chapel on 
     Governor's Island. Eli and Margaret moved to Flacons Landing 
     in December 2012.
       In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to 
     the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society, Marine Corps 
     Scholarship Foundation and the Marine Corps Heritage 
     Foundation.

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