[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 177 (Wednesday, November 6, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6445-S6446]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       RECOGNIZING POPULAR PATCH

 Mr. RISCH. Mr. President, as a member and former chairman of 
the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each month 
I recognize and celebrate the American entrepreneurial spirit by 
highlighting the success of a small business in my home State of Idaho. 
However, in honor of Veterans Day on November 11 this month, I will 
honor a veteran-owned small business for each of the 10 days the Senate 
is in legislative session. The personal sacrifices made by America's 
veterans have protected the very freedoms and values that give each of 
us and our children the ability to achieve the American dream. The 
skills veterans learn as members of the military are invaluable and 
undoubtedly contribute to Idaho's flourishing veteran business 
community. I am proud of the sacrifices veterans have made to protect 
our country and that they are choosing Idaho to call home when they 
complete their service in the military.
  As your Senator from the great State of Idaho, it is my pleasure to 
recognize Popular Patch in Hayden as the Veteran-owned Idaho Small 
Business of the Day for November 6, 2019. Don McGrogan joined the U.S. 
Navy at age 18 and served for the next 26 years, bearing witness to the 
Cuban missile crisis, the Dominican Republic occupation, and the 
Vietnam war. Over the course of his Navy career, McGrogan collected 
more than 1,000 military patches as a hobby. Upon reentering civilian 
life, he drew inspiration from his experiences in the Navy and opened 
McGrogan's Patch Designs, a small

[[Page S6446]]

business dedicated to preserving America's history. Recently, McGrogan 
merged his business with his grandson's company, Popular Patch, where 
he works as a business partner with his son and grandson.
  Popular Patch's goal is to become the world's foremost military patch 
business by replicating designs for each U.S. military patch ever made. 
The company has an inventory of more than 8,000 military patches, and 
its selection of Navy patches is one of the largest in the world. The 
company also creates custom patches using original designs, including 
patches for hunters, fishermen, bikers, and zombie fans. Its designs 
are popular among veterans, collectors, and actors, such as Hollywood 
actors in ``Saving Private Ryan'' and ``Clear and Present Danger.''
  Congratulations to Dan McGrogan and all of the employees at Popular 
Patch for being selected as the Veteran-owned Idaho Small Business of 
the Day for November 6, 2019. You make our great State proud, and I 
look forward to your continued growth and success.

                          ____________________