[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 82 (Wednesday, May 12, 2021)]
[House]
[Pages H2207-H2208]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING DONALD KEITH STRICKLAND
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from West
Virginia (Mr. Mooney) for 5 minutes.
Mr. MOONEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commemorate the life of Sergeant
First Class Donald Keith Strickland, who recently passed away. Donald's
favorite quote was: ``My proudest accomplishment was defending our
great Nation.''
Sergeant First Class Donald Keith Strickland was born on May 31,
1934, to George and Ruth Strickland in Richmond, Indiana. The
Stricklands moved out to California for a better life, as many did back
in those days.
Young Donald grew up in the San Fernando Valley and had many
different jobs, from working at his family's grocery store to doing a
paper route on his horse called Star Baby.
While attending high school, Donald had a call to duty and joined the
Navy on his 17th birthday. Donald's father had to sign papers in order
to release him to enlist for the Korean war. While in Korea, he served
on the famed aircraft carriers USS Yorktown and USS Hornet. After the
Korean war and 3 years in the Navy, Donald decided to join the Army,
where he spent the next 18 years of his life.
Donald did his basic training at Fort Bragg. During Donald's first
jump after training, his parachute did not open until he almost hit the
ground. As he tells the story: ``I was the last one out of the plane
and the first one down.''
During Donald's time in the Army, he was stationed in West Germany,
where he met the love of his life, Antonie, and they have been married
for over 60 years.
Donald was sent off to the Vietnam war, where he served two tours of
duty and was awarded the Bronze Star for bravery in action during the
Tet Offensive. Donald rose to the rank of sergeant first class.
After getting injured in the war, Donald became a drill sergeant at
Fort Ord Army Base in Monterey, California. As his kids tell their
friends, imagine having a drill sergeant for a dad.
In reminiscing with his children, Donald was always proud to be
called a soldier for America. Donald considered the United States of
America the greatest country in the world.
In 1973, Donald retired from the armed services and relocated to Simi
Valley, California, where he worked for the police department.
Donald loved working with his hands and could fix anything. Donald
never had a negative comment about anyone, and any person who knew him
loved him for his hard work and his smile. Donald's commitment was
resounding, as he did not retire until the age of 75.
Donald is survived by his wife, Antonie; his children, Gabriele,
Rene, and Anthony; his grandchildren, Jacob, Samantha, Natasha,
Alexandra, Ruby, and Anthony; and his great-grandchildren, Wyatt,
Kayla, Sophia, and Bryce.
Donald had been a resident of Ventura County since 1973 and resided
in Camarillo since 2000 with his wife for the remainder of his life.
Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record a tribute to Donald Strickland.
SFC Donald Keith Strickland
May 31, 1934-April 29, 2021 (age 86)
tribute
``My proudest accomplishment was defending our great nation.''--Donald
K. Strickland
Sergeant First Class, Donald Keith Strickland was born May
31, 1934 to George and Ruth Strickland in Richmond, Indiana.
The Strickland's moved out to California for a better life
like many did back in those days. Young Donald grew up in the
San Fernando Valley and had many different jobs from working
at his family's grocery store, to doing a paper route down
Sepulveda Blvd on his horse ``Star Baby.''
While attending San Fernando Valley High School, Donald had
a call to duty and joined the Navy on his 17th Birthday. His
father had to sign papers in order to release him to enlist
for the Korean War. While in Korea, Donald served on the
famed aircraft carriers USS Yorktown and USS Hornet. After
the Korean War and three years in the Navy, Donald decided to
join the Army of which he spent the next 18 years of his
life.
Donald did his basic training at Fort Brag, North Carolina
and joined the legendary 82nd Airborne. During his first jump
after training, Donald's parachute did not open until he
almost hit ground. As he tells the story, ``I was the last
one out of the plane and the first one down.'' Not
discouraged, his commanding officer sent him right back up
with no hesitation on Donald's part. He loved jumping out of
airplanes.
During his time in the Army, Donald was stationed in West
Germany where he met the love of his life, Antonie, and have
been married over 60 years. Donald was then sent off to the
Vietnam War where he served two tours of duty and was awarded
the Bronze Star for bravery in action during the Tet
Offensive. Donald rose to the rank of Sergeant First Class as
a non-commissioned officer and received many medals and
awards.
After getting injured in the war, Donald became a drill
sergeant at Fort Ord Army Base in Monterey, California. As
his kids tell their friends, imagine having a drill sergeant
for a dad. In reminiscing with his children; he always was
proud to be called a soldier. He considered the United States
of America the greatest country in the world.
In 1973, Donald retired from the armed services and
relocated to Simi Valley, California. He briefly worked for
the Simi Valley Police department and later went on to be
facilities manager for a number of Convalescent and Hospital
locations throughout Ventura County. He loved working with
his hands and could fix anything. He never had a negative
comment about anyone and any person who knew him loved him
for his hard work and smile. His commitment was resounding as
he did not retire until the age of 75,
He is survived by his wife, Antonie; his children,
Gabriele, Rene and Anthony; his grandchildren, Jacob,
Samantha, Natasha, Alexandra, Ruby and Anthony; and his great
grandchildren, Wyatt, Kayla, Sophia and Bryce.
Donald has been a resident of Ventura County since 1973 and
resided in Camarillo since 2000 with his wife for the
remainder of his life.
A Funeral Service was held on Sat, May 8, 2021 at 11:00 am
at the Chapel of the Hills at Conejo Mountain Memorial Park:
2052 Howard Rd, Camarillo, California 93012, with interment
to follow, also at Conejo Mountain.
The Army Goes Rolling Along
Verse:
March along, sing our song, with the Army of the free
Count the brave, count the true, who have fought to victory
We're the Army and proud of our name
We're the Army and proudly proclaim
Chorus:
First to fight for the right,
And to build the Nation's might,
And The Army Goes Rolling Along
Proud of all we have done,
Fighting till the battle's won,
And the Army Goes Rolling Along.
Refrain:
Then it's Hi! Hi! Hey!
The Army's on its way.
Count off the cadence loud and strong
For where e'er we go,
You will always know
That The Army Goes Rolling Along.
Verse:
Valley Forge, Custer's ranks,
[[Page H2208]]
San Juan Hill and Patton's tanks,
And the Army went rolling along
Minutemen, from the start,
Always fighting from the heart,
And the Army keeps rolling along.
(Refrain)
Verse:
Men in rags, men who froze,
Still that Army met its foes,
And the Army went rolling along.
Faith in God, then we're right,
And we'll fight with all our might,
As the Army keeps rolling along.
____________________