[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 185 (Thursday, October 21, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1128]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING THE LIFE OF MR. JERRY NALIPINSKI

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 21, 2021

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Madam Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise 
today to honor the life of Mr. Jerry Nalipinski who died on October 14, 
2021 at the age of 91. Jerry was a decorated veteran of the Korean War 
and a long-time leader and advocate for Minnesota veterans and 
residents of the East Metro Twin Cities region where he lived.
  I first met Jerry when I served on the City Council of North Saint 
Paul and as a member of the VFW Post 1350 Auxiliary in the late 1980s. 
He immediately impressed me as a go-to leader and doer on behalf of 
veterans and the broader community. His passing is a loss that is felt 
deeply throughout the Minnesota veteran community.
  After graduating from Johnson High School in Saint Paul, Jerry served 
with the 31st Regiment, Seventh Division, U.S. Army in Korea as a 
communication officer, arriving in Inchon Harbor on a troop ship. He 
served with the American-led, United Nations forces from Canada, Turkey 
and the other 20 coalition members. Commanders ordered Jerry's rifle 
company to the front lines shortly after arriving in theater, and he 
sustained injuries during the battle of Pork Chop Hill for which he was 
awarded a Purple Heart. He was awarded a second Purple Heart and a 
Bronze Star during his subsequent service in Korea.
  Upon his return to Minnesota, Jerry utilized the GI Bill to continue 
his academic studies. He went to work for Winzen Research, Inc., an 
aerospace pioneer that created high-altitude balloons in the 1950s and 
1960s that were used by the United States Navy in its Projects Helios, 
Skyhook, and Strato-Lab, that set the altitude record for manned 
balloon flights. He later worked at Northwestern Bell for many years 
before retiring.
  Jerry made a life-long commitment to serving veterans and others. He 
served as chair of the Minnesota Korean War Veterans Chapter 1 and led 
creation and completion of the Minnesota Korean War Memorial. Located 
on the grounds of the State Capitol, the memorial pays tribute to the 
738 Minnesotans who lost their lives and honors all 94,646 from our 
state who served in the war.
  Service defined Jerry's life, as well as that of his beloved late 
wife Marilyn, who worked tirelessly along his side until her death in 
2013. A member of the Arthur O. Haukland VFW Post 1350 in North Saint 
Paul, Minnesota, Jerry went above and beyond to serve veterans and 
their families, working to connect veterans of all eras and to serve 
the broader community.
  He served in multiple leadership roles, including chair of the 
scholarship committee and as chaplain. Jerry led a recent Post effort 
to ensure that all veterans' graves at Saint Mary's Cemetery were 
located and identified. Each Memorial Day he organized the volunteers 
that marked each grave with a flag or marker.
  Additionally, he was chair of the Ramsey United Veterans Council and 
vice president of the Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 5. His 
efforts included ensuring each family of a deceased veteran received an 
American flag in a presentation case crafted by residents of the 
Hastings Veterans Home. Often, he took time to deliver each of these 
flags personally.
  Few people who are as selfless as Jerry was, and through his 
commitment to service, vision and stewardship, our state and our 
community is much better off. It was a privilege to work with Jerry, 
and especially to call him a friend. My sincere condolences are with 
his beloved family, his fellow veterans and many friends. Madam 
Speaker, please join me in tribute to Jerry Nalipinski for his 
remarkable life of service to our Nation and our community.

                          ____________________