[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 176 (Tuesday, November 5, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6385-S6386]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO DAN McDANIEL

  Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, this upcoming Veterans Day gives 
every American the opportunity to pause and pay tribute to the many 
sacrifices of those men and women who served in our Armed Forces. Out 
of devotion to this country and our values, these brave servicemembers 
made the world a safer place. It is a sincere privilege to extend my 
gratitude to each and every one of them.
  I am especially proud to recognize the nearly 300,000 American 
veterans who call Kentucky home. After their military service, many of 
these Kentuckians came home and continued selflessly giving to their 
communities and our Nation. In particular, I would like to pay tribute 
to a special Kentucky veteran today, Dan McDaniel of Kenton County. Six 
days after he graduated from the University of Kentucky in 1972, Dan 
became one of the final draftees his community sent into the Army 
during the Vietnam war. Following his basic training, Dan was sent with 
his wife, Linda, to Augsburg, Germany, as a field artillery crewman. He

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served there until he received an honorable discharge that brought the 
couple home to Kenton County.
  Using his degree in social studies, Dan taught history for a short 
time in Northern Kentucky. Then, a few years later, Dan and his brother 
Mike started a small concrete company out of their basements. For 
nearly four decades, Mike and Dan grew their business and earned 
respect in Northern Kentucky and the greater region as full service 
concrete contractors. In 2008, the brothers sold their business to 
Dan's son, Chris, who runs the company to this day.
  The family business isn't the only way Chris has followed his 
father's footsteps, however. After graduating from The Citadel, Chris 
served 4 years in the Army as an infantry officer. Today, he is 
continuing to serve the Bluegrass State as a prominent member of the 
Kentucky State Senate. Like so many veterans, both Dan and Chris 
continue to make lasting contributions to their community, our 
Commonwealth, and this great Nation.
  So, on this Veterans Day, I am grateful to all those who served our 
country in uniform. Our Commonwealth is made safer because of their 
service and stronger because of their example. To Dan and Chris 
McDaniel, all Kentucky veterans, and their families, it is an honor to 
say thank you.

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