[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 198 (Friday, November 20, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1061-E1062]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING DR. HAROLD C. SAYLES, PH.D.

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. A. DONALD McEACHIN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, November 20, 2020

  Mr. McEachin. Madam Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to 
honor and recognize Dr. Harold C. Sayles as the 2020 recipient of the 
inaugural Veteran of the Year Award for the Fourth Congressional 
District of Virginia.
  Dr. Sayles has dedicated his life to serving our country, both as a 
Major in the United States Army and as a veteran assisting former 
servicemembers in his community and across our nation. Since 2015, Dr. 
Sayles has served as the State Chaplain for the Department of 
Virginia's Veterans of Foreign Wars. He offers spiritual counseling to 
veterans and their families, performs funerals for servicemembers, 
visits hospitals and homes of ailing veterans, and provides countless 
other services for Virginia's veterans. Dr. Sayles also serves on the 
Suicide Prevention Task Force for the Southern Conference of the 
Veterans of Foreign Wars, helping our veterans access much-needed 
mental health services and support.
  For his service, Dr. Sayles has earned numerous awards, including the 
Bronze Star Medal for heroism in combat action against enemy forces on 
February 10, 1991 in direct support of Operation Desert Storm. He was 
also awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptional service and 
outstanding achievement in the performance of duties from November 1990 
to March 1993 while serving with the 4th Psychology Operations Group, 
Airborne. Dr. Sayles has received a total of seven national and state-
wide awards for his tireless work as Post Commander in the Veterans of 
Foreign Wars, a title he has held on three different occasions.
  In addition to his commitment to uplifting and caring for our 
nation's servicemembers, we owe Dr. Sayles a debt of gratitude for the 
work he does for communities across the Commonwealth of Virginia. Dr. 
Sayles serves as the Executive Director of the Crater District Area 
Agency on Aging, providing services to senior citizens, and as Cub 
Master for Cub Scout Pack 525 and as Assistant Scoutmaster of Troop 
525, helping younger generations learn vital civic and interpersonal 
skills.
  Dr. Sayles writes that, ``I enjoy what I do and feel that I was not 
only born to serve, but a calling on my life.'' His dedication to 
serving his country and community is matched only by his commitment to 
his wife, Dr. Cheryl Jordan-Sayles, and their four children.
  It is for these reasons and so many more that I am proud to recognize 
Dr. Sayles as the 2020 recipient of the Fourth Congressional District 
of Virginia's inaugural Veteran of the Year Award for his continued 
service to our Commonwealth and our country.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Dr. 
Sayles for his devotion to the United States of America and his 
selfless efforts to improve the lives of veterans and all those around 
him.

[[Page E1062]]

  

                          ____________________