[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 168 (Wednesday, October 23, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1331]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING CORPORAL RONNIE ``RD'' FOSTER, RECIPIENT OF TEXAS' THIRD 
     CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 2019 CONGRESSIONAL VETERAN COMMENDATION

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                            HON. VAN TAYLOR

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 23, 2019

  Mr. TAYLOR. Madam Speaker, today, it is my privilege to honor twelve 
distinguished military veterans from Texas' Third Congressional 
District who answered the call to serve their Nation honorably, both in 
uniform and following their return to civilian life. The recipients of 
the 2019 Congressional Veteran Commendation exemplify the time-honored 
qualities of patriotism, service before self, and bold leadership. 
Following their time in service, their efforts in our community have 
earned these fine individuals recognition as the recipients of this 
prestigious commendation. Their stories of sacrifice will encourage 
future generations to pursue a life dedicated to the very values we 
cherish as Americans: faith, freedom, and democracy. One such hero is 
Corporal Ronnie ``RD'' Foster of Anna, Texas.
   Corporal Ronnie Davenport Foster, known to his friends as ``RD'' 
served in the United States Marine Corps from 1966 to 1969. Originally 
from Farmersville, Texas, as the son of a WWII veteran, Ronnie's sense 
of patriotism was developed early on. Shortly after graduating from 
high school, RD would be assigned to the 1st Force Logistics Command 
driving resupply and gun trucks out of Da Nang, Vietnam in 1967 as a 
part of the ``Rough Riders'' motor transport Battalion. For his 
efforts, RD was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam 
Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and Rifle Sharpshooter Badge.
   In the decades that would follow, RD pursued a music career as a 
singer songwriter and worked as a tour bus operator for famed musicians 
and performers. In an effort to recognize the patriotism of our Vietnam 
Veterans who were often shunned upon their return from service, RD 
organized a concert to raise awareness and funds for the Texas Vietnam 
Veterans Memorial in Fair Park in the 1980s. Later, RD would embark on 
an extensive mission to identify all the men and women from Collin 
County who died while serving our Nation going back to the Great War. 
Upon conclusion of his painstaking research efforts, he would lobby 
local governmental entities and spearhead a fundraising effort to 
construct a Veterans Memorial to remember and honor the legacies of our 
fallen warriors from Collin County. In response, the City of McKinney 
created the Armed Services Memorial Board, of which RD was a founding 
member. The result was the Collin County Veterans Memorial, which was 
dedicated in November 2011. Further in 2013, RD cofounded the Collin 
County Fallen Warrior Portrait Project which has resulted in 70 
portraits of fallen warriors on permanent display at the Collin County 
Courthouse. Corporal Foster would also organize the efforts to rename 
Courthouse to the Russell A. Steindam Courts Building in honor of the 
posthumously awarded Medal of Honor recipient. Foster's recognitions 
include Patriot of the Year by the Texas Veterans Commission and 
recognition as a recipient of the Distinguished Citizens Medal from the 
Daughters of the American Revolution.
   Today a grateful Nation thanks Corporal Foster for his exceptional 
service and congratulates him on this recognition. May his steadfast 
example of leadership inspire others to live a life of service to a 
cause greater than themselves. It is my extreme honor to award him the 
2019 Congressional Veteran Commendation for the Third District of 
Texas.

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