[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 135 (Wednesday, August 15, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Page S5615]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                       REMEMBERING ELZA R. TUCKER

 Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, today I wish to honor Elza Tucker, 
a World War II veteran who dedicated his life to serving his community 
and country.
  Elza Richard Tucker was born July 13, 1918. Born and raised in the 
Lowell, AR, area, Tucker was passionate about his community and 
demonstrated that through his decades of selfless service.
  He enlisted in the Army in 1941, where he served with the 2nd Armored 
Division, ``Hell on Wheels,'' under the command of General George S. 
Patton. He first set foot in France on Omaha Beach in Normandy 3 days 
after the initial D-day landing.
  He recalled his first days in combat with local media in 2016 when he 
was presented the French Legion of Honor, France's highest honor for 
military service. ``The Germans were coming from the back of me and I 
could see them and I set a big barn on fire so I could see them as they 
came through,'' he said. He shared how he used a machine gun to defend 
his fellow soldiers in that same battle.
  Tucker also saw combat in Africa, the invasion of Sicily, and the 
Rhineland campaign. For his service, he was awarded the Bronze Star, 
Good Conduct Medal, Presidential Unit Emblem, Croix de Guerre, American 
Defense Service Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, 
and WWII Victory Medal.
  His commitment to service continued long after he left military life. 
He poured his heart and devotion into his faith and his beloved town, 
earning him the affectionate nickname ``Mr. Lowell.'' Tucker served 
faithfully at his church, First Baptist Church of Lowell, as both a 
deacon and Sunday school teacher. His resume includes elected offices 
on the Benton County Quorum Court and the city council, as well as 
civil roles as a rural route mail carrier and post master of Lowell. He 
also volunteered with the Lowell Fire Department and was a member of 
the Lowell Planning Commission. In order to preserve the history of the 
community he so dearly loved and served, he established the Lowell 
Historical Museum.
  The community grew to know and love Tucker, honoring him in 2004 when 
Elza R. Tucker Elementary and Middle School opened in nearby Rogers.
  Tucker never let old-age slow him down, either. He was a familiar 
face at the Lowell Historical Museum, where he served as a greeter 
until June 30, 2017, and he also spent much time at the Lowell branch 
of Arvest Bank, handing out popcorn to customers.
  Sadly, Tucker passed away on July 30, 2018, at the age of 100.
  A member of the ``greatest generation,'' who spent his life in 
service to the community, Elza Tucker was a true neighbor, friend, and 
humanitarian. I extend my sincere condolences to his family and 
friends, and I hope that they find comfort in the incredible legacy of 
he leaves behind.

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