[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 107 (Tuesday, June 26, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Page S4399]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO JOHN BARKER

 Mr. GARDNER. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize John 
Barker, an exemplary citizen in my hometown of Yuma, CO. As a member of 
the Veterans of Foreign Wars, VFW, Post 3378, Mr. Barker has selflessly 
volunteered his time and energy toward providing invaluable services to 
veterans and their families. As a result, he has been honored by the 
Colorado VFW with the Salute to Service Award.
  Mr. Barker goes above and beyond to help veterans in our community. 
This includes regular visits to veterans admitted to hospitals and 
nursing homes and ensuring that announcements of events hosted by Post 
3378 are widely circulated in local media. Whether it is working to 
expand the local Veteran's Memorial Park or tracking down stories from 
veterans and their families to be published, he ensures that these 
veterans receive the recognition they deserve.
  On a more solemn note, Mr. Barker visits veterans who have entered 
hospice care and presents them with a plaque commemorating their 
service; in their last moments, these veterans know how grateful our 
community is to them. Furthermore, Mr. Barker attends their funerals 
and performs military honors as a member of Post 3378's color guard.
  Indeed, Mr. Barker's volunteerism is not limited to veterans. He has 
worked with local Boy Scouts, encouraging them to finish their Eagle 
Scout projects, volunteered as Santa Claus at a local event, and worked 
with the Colorado Department of Fish and Wildlife to make sure there 
were fish to catch for the kids at Yuma's ``Huck Finn'' Day.
  Mr. Barker's dedication to his community and his VFW post is 
unparalleled. His VFW commander, Adam Beauprez, had no hesitation 
nominating him for the Salute to Service Award and it is little wonder 
that the Colorado VFW followed suit by honoring him with this 
recognition.
  Mr. Barker, thank you for your service. Thank you for your friendship 
and your family's friendship. You make Colorado proud.

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