[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 67 (Wednesday, April 25, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E532]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     SAMUEL SCHWARTZ--WWII VETERAN

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 25, 2018

  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, there is an old saying, good friends 
are God's way of taking care of us. Samuel Schwartz, a veteran of the 
Second World War knew this was true of his good friend, James Linton.
   On April 2, 2018, Sam died at the age of 94. Full of laughter and 
stories from the past, James knew that Sam's time was coming to an end. 
Sam had no living family members when he died, and James knew he 
couldn't let his friend take his final breaths alone. Sitting with Sam 
through his final days, James provided good company, even holding his 
hand when he took his final breath.
   Samuel was an accomplished man, both in the service and in his long 
career in business. He enlisted in the Marine Corps one year after 
Pearl Harbor, and served as part of the American Invasion Force, taking 
part in the invasion and defense of four islands in the Pacific. He 
rose to the rank of Technical Sergeant, but perhaps his most 
significant accomplishment in the Marine Corps was meeting Elaine 
Hinrichs, a member of the Marine Corps Women's Reserve who would become 
his bride of 60 years before her passing in 2009.
   Sam went on to have a 20-year career with Ardan's Catalog Showrooms, 
eventually leaving as the company's Chief Executive Officer. He later 
served as president for Whitmark Catalog Showrooms and the Zondervan 
Company's Bible publishing consumer group, where he landed motivated by 
his lifelong Christian faith. Above all, he was a caring friend and a 
faithful husband.
   With no living family, James feared that Sam's funeral would be 
sparsely attended. Such a funeral simply would not properly honor Sam's 
life and legacy. Thus, he sent out an open invitation, hoping that a 
handful of others would attend.
   In the following days, several groups and individuals answered 
James' call. Several veterans groups, including the local American 
Legion Post and the Veterans of Foreign Wars attended the funeral at 
Graceland Cemetery in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Members of the Patriot 
Guard Riders provided a line of American flags for Sam's casket to be 
carried through, and members of the Kent County Veterans Honor Guard 
performed the three-volley salute.
   Several active duty servicemen from multiple branches attended, 
including two Marines who presented a folded flag to James. Dozens of 
strangers, having seen James' message, also showed up to pay their 
respects to the World War II Marine Corps veteran.
   Our World War II veterans represent the greatest generation. In the 
words of President Harry S. Truman, ``Our debt to the heroic men and 
valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They 
have earned our undying gratitude. America will never forget their 
sacrifices.'' James Linton made sure his friend's sacrifice for this 
country would not go unnoticed. Samuel Schwartz and James Linton 
demonstrate the true meaning of friendship.
   And that's just the way it is.

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