[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 133 (Thursday, July 29, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E848]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING THE LIFE OF CYRIL L. LEUELLING

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DARIN LaHOOD

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 29, 2021

  Mr. LaHOOD. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the life and legacy of 
Cyril L. Leuelling of Morton, Illinois, who passed away on May 19, 
2021, at the age of 98.
  Cyril Leuelling, born on June 26, 1922, in Dawson, Illinois, and 
graduated from Ball Township High School in 1941. In 1942, he was 
called to serve his nation and was drafted for World War II. After his 
training, Cyril was deployed to England to serve with the 359th 
Regiment, 90th Infantry Division.
  Cyril achieved the rank of Technical Sergeant and was responsible for 
the lives of 40 soldiers. In addition to serving in D-Day and the 
Battle of the Bulge, Cyril and his men contributed to the operation 
which led to the liberation of the Flossenburg concentration camp in 
Germany. On September 28, 1944, in Metz, France, he was awarded the 
Bronze Star Medal for saving a fellow soldier's life and then awarded 
the Purple Heart for wounds he sustained in combat. He returned home to 
central Illinois after 19 months at war.
  Cyril was featured in a World War II Exhibit at the Museum of World 
Treasures in Wichita, KS. He attended and was interviewed for the 
Veteran's History Project at the dedication of the World War II 
Memorial in Washington,D.C. Cyril is also in the June 2002 issue of 
National Geographic ``The Untold Stories of D-Day''. He was a long-time 
member of the American Legion.
  Cyril lived a life of full accomplishments, but most importantly, he 
will be remembered for his love and commitment to his wonderful family. 
On April 21, 1947, Cyril married Abigail ``Abbie'' Prater in Riverton, 
IL. They were blessed with four children, Nancy, Janet, Ronald, and 
Diane, 10 grandchildren, and 16 greatgrandchildren. After retiring from 
his distinguished 38-year-career at Caterpillar Inc., Cyril and Abbie 
spent most of their time traveling and visiting family all over the 
country. He was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years on April 18, 
2015. Cyril's fondest memories in life were ones spent with his family 
and his love and pride for them was boundless.
  I want to offer my condolences to the Leuelling family and the people 
of Morton on the loss of a great man. Cyril left a lasting impact on 
those who had the pleasure of knowing him. May his memory be eternal.

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