[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 171 (Tuesday, October 29, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6239-S6240]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                 TRIBUTE TO SEAMAN 2ND CLASS MARTIN ROY

 Ms. HASSAN. Madam President, today I would like to recognize 
the birthday of U.S. Navy Seaman 2nd Class Martin Roy of Manchester NH. 
Mr. Roy was born on November 11, 1914, in Armagh, Canada, a day that 
would become Armistice Day in 1918 and was later renamed to Veterans 
Day in 1954. Mr. Roy moved to the United States as a teenager and 
worked in the mills in Lowell, MS as a mechanical repairman.
  In 1943, Mr. Roy enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served during World 
War II. He was onboard the USS Franklin, also known as Big Ben, on 
March 19, 1945, when a Japanese pilot dropped two bombs on the ship. 
The bombs caused explosions and fires that triggered ammunition, bombs, 
and rockets. Along with 700 surviving crewmembers, Mr. Roy helped throw 
the remaining explosives overboard and saved the ship. When he was 
honorably discharged in 1945, Mr. Roy received a letter of thanks 
signed by James Forrestal, then Secretary of the Navy who would later 
become the first Secretary of Defense.
  On February 22, 1946, Mr. Roy married Louise Boutin, whom he had met 
while working in the mills. They had two children, Paul and Cecile, and 
moved to Suncook, NH in the early 1950s.
  Mr. Roy took a job at the Suncook Mills and, using his mechanical 
skills, he, along with a friend developed a patent to repair looms in 
the mill. In addition, for many years Mr. Roy owned and operated two 
convenience stores, one in Lowell and another Suncook. A man of many 
interests, Mr. Roy also trained thoroughbred horses over a nearly 20-
year period and traveled the New England circuit, owning eight

[[Page S6240]]

horses at one time. Upon his so-called retirement, Mr. Roy worked part 
time as a janitor and repairman in the local bank, never ceasing to 
work hard and give back to his community.
  Mr. President, I hope you will join me in wishing a dedicated, 
patriotic, and multi-talented Granite Stater, Martin Roy, a very Happy 
105th birthday.

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