[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 26 (Friday, February 12, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E176]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING RALPH VERSCHOOR

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF DENHAM

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, February 12, 2016

  Mr. DENHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge and honor the 
birthday of Mr. Ralph Verschoor, who will be ninety-five years old on 
February 20, 2016.
  In 1926, Ralph was born in Hot Springs, Arkansas. In 1930, he moved 
to Colorado with his family. His father then decided to move away from 
the cold and snowy Colorado area and ventured to Ceres, California.
  On May 3, 1944, Ralph's life was forever changed when he was drafted 
into the U.S. Army where he served in the 503rd Airborne. He completed 
16 weeks of basic training at Fort Bragg in North Carolina before he 
was transferred to Fort Benning, Georgia where he underwent parachute 
training. Despite being injured on his first jump he continued with the 
training and successfully received his wings.
  Before long, Ralph was sent to Fort Ord and then San Francisco, where 
he boarded a ship on a 31 day voyage to New Guinea. After departing New 
Guinea, Ralph travelled to the Philippines. There, in March 1946 on the 
Beach of Negros Island, he experienced combat for the first time. Ralph 
spent his time as a rifleman, but due to unfortunate circumstances, his 
weapon malfunctioned. He was stuck with this weapon until the 1st Scout 
was wounded and they were able to trade weapons. At this point Ralph 
became 1st Scout and spent six weeks leading his troops into the 
jungle. Requested by his Captain to become a combat medic, Ralph was 
tasked with giving first aid to his wounded comrades. He witnessed many 
traumatizing events in his line of duty that he will never forget.
  The war ended in the summer of 1945. Ralph, as a combat medic, was 
asked to travel to Hiroshima, Japan to study radiation burns. After a 
six month stay, he was sent to Sendai, Japan to join a medical team 
aiding in the treatment of those exposed to communicable diseases. Upon 
returning from the war in 1946, Ralph made his way back home to 
California, settling in Escalon, where he has resided for the last 70 
years. Ralph was elected to the Escalon City Council in 1957, and later 
served as Mayor.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring Ralph Verschoor for his 95th 
birthday and outstanding contributions to the community of Escalon as 
well as our country.

                          ____________________