[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 92 (Tuesday, June 5, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E766-E767]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        RECOGNIZING FRANK EMOND

                                  _____
                                 

                            HON. MATT GAETZ

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 5, 2018

  Mr. GAETZ. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize and pay tribute to 
a local hero and national treasure who has dedicated his life to humble 
service; service to his country and service to others. Mr. Emond is a 
Pearl Harbor survivor and recently celebrated his 100th birthday on May 
21, 2018.
  The history of the life and work of Frank Emond is nothing short of 
astounding. Francis ``Frank'' Emond, originally from Rhode Island, 
played the French horn in his high school band. After graduating and 
working for three years, he joined the U.S. Navy in 1938, leaving his 
home in Rhode Island to serve as a musician.
  In the summer of 1941, Mr. Emond was assigned to Pearl Harbor, aboard 
the battle ship USS Pennsylvania with Admiral Kimmel, Commander in 
Chief of the Pacific Fleet.
  On the night of Saturday, December 6, 1941, bands from the 
Pennsylvania, the California, and the Arizona held a dance band contest 
on the docks; bragging rights for the winner and great entertainment 
for the troops and civilians. Mr. Emond's band won the trophy, which 
they later donated in memory of all 21 Arizona band members and 1,100 
hands that went down with them.
  On the morning of December 7, 1941, ``a date'', in the words of 
President Roosevelt, ``which will live in infamy'', Mr. Emond was 
playing the French horn with his band mates as they were preparing to 
play for the morning flag raising.
  The ceremony was horrifically interrupted by hundreds of Japanese 
aircraft dropping bombs and riddling the harbor's battleships with 
machine gun fire.
  The Pennsylvania was struck by a bomb, killing 15 and launching men, 
including Mr. Emond, into a rescue operation. Mr. Emond was trained as 
a stretcher-bearer and began retrieving the injured and the dead.
  Mr. Emond retired from the Navy in 1968 and spent a decade working as 
a civilian employee at Pensacola Naval Air Station.
  To this day, Mr. Emond continues to serve his country and his 
community. He has been a Red Cross volunteer at Pensacola Naval 
Hospital for the last 15 years. He works at the hospital's front desk 
where he frequently brightens the day of many visitors as he greets 
them and works the switchboard.
  Mr. Emond expresses that ``time is one of the easiest gifts to give, 
and is an important one that could change the outcome of somebody's day 
or maybe even their life.'' Mr. Emond has certainly given generously of 
his time and has, no doubt, positively impacted the lives of countless 
people who are blessed to know and work with him.
  Frank Emond's presence and service has been, and will continue to be, 
an invaluable asset to Northwest Florida. We are proud that he calls 
our area home and honored that he chooses to spend his time 
volunteering here.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I am humbled 
and privileged to recognize and honor Frank Emond for his countless 
contributions and service. I'd like to extend my gratitude to Mr. Emond 
and his family

[[Page E767]]

for all they've sacrificed for this country and our community. I would 
also like to wish him a happy 100th birthday and best wishes.

                          ____________________