[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 142 (Tuesday, September 20, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Page S5906]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     REMEMBERING RODGER McCONNELL 

 Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, today I wish to honor a Vietnam war 
veteran who became an incredible hometown advocate for other veterans. 
Sadly, Rodger McConnell passed away on July 21, 2016, in Great Falls, 
MT.
  Rodger served his country honorably during the Vietnam war, but like 
so many returning veterans, he struggled with PTSD and homelessness. 
Rodger was able to overcome these issues and went on to serve veterans 
in many ways. He helped create the Veterans Drug Treatment Court and 
acted as a mentor to the participants. He organized the annual homeless 
Veterans Stand Down. He also helped bring a replica of the Vietnam 
Memorial to Great Falls.
  Rodger was a selfless, caring individual who will be missed by the 
entire community. Because of his commitment to veterans, his presence 
will continue on through so many programs that he created. One that was 
very dear to him was ``On Point: Veterans Talk Radio,'' a radio program 
for veterans that he hosted on the local public radio station. Some of 
these interviews with wartime veterans will be submitted to the 
Veterans History Project through the Library of Congress. Rodger may 
not be with us any longer, but his talks with veterans will be 
preserved for all to hear.

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