[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 13 (Thursday, January 20, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E53]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING THE LIFE OF JOHN ``JACK'' CASEY, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOE COURTNEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 20, 2022

  Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of a 
man who lived selflessly and embodied the true definition of a patriot. 
John ``Jack'' Casey, of Groton, Connecticut, who passed January 4th 
after a lifetime of service to his community, his state, and his 
nation.
  Jack Casey was born on September 30, 1946, to Catherine Agnes Keane 
McDonald and John George Casey, Jr. in Allston, Massachusetts. He 
attended high school in Brighton, Massachusetts, and graduated in 1964. 
Immediately following his graduation, Jack heeded the call to serve his 
country and enlisted in the United States Navy. During his time in the 
Navy, he completed Disbursing Clerk Class A School in Newport, Rhode 
Island; and soon advanced to the rank Disbursing Clerk Third Class 
while stationed in New London, Connecticut.
  Jack chose to extend his enlistment by thirteen months, volunteering 
to serve his nation in Vietnam. He attended Counter Insurgency Training 
in Little Creek, Virginia; and served at National Security Activity in 
Da Nang, Vietnam RVN from July 1967 to July 1968. His time in the Navy 
earned him the Navy Unit Commendation, Navy Good Conduct Medal, 
National Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with four bronze stars, 
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation, Republic Navy 
Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Unit Citation, and Republic of Vietnam 
Campaign Medal.
  Following his discharge from the Navy, Jack returned to Groton and 
found employment at the Navy Exchange. In November 1968, Jack began his 
33-year career at Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, working as a chemical 
operator. Jack worked for Pfizer until his retirement in November 2001.
  Soon after his retirement, he started volunteering for numerous 
groups. Jack epitomized the spirit of volunteerism; his tireless 
dedication to fellow veterans and to his community would define his 
life. While Jack volunteered for Meals on Wheels, he would frequently 
go above and beyond for the seniors on his route--buying them items 
from the store without accepting reimbursement. In 2001, Jack began 
volunteering as a Registrar for the World War II memorial, inducting 
more than 100,000 people into the World War II Registry. He also 
volunteered as a Registrar for the U.S. Navy Memorial and U.S. Army 
Memorial, registering over 75,000 heroes as Sea Service Personnel and 
over 75,000 heroes for the U.S. Army Memorial.
  I had the honor to witness first-hand Jack's deep compassion for his 
country and fellow veterans when he joined my Veterans Advisory Board 
in 2007. His participation and input as a member of the Board was 
invaluable as he identified real life problems within the Veterans 
Administration that impacted our veterans. However, the most remarkable 
quality about Jack was that for each issue he raised, he also brought 
forth constructive ideas to address the problem. Veterans in eastern 
Connecticut and all across the country benefited from his passionate 
well-informed advocacy.
  Jack continued to be a champion of veterans, becoming a member of the 
Patriot Guard Riders in 2008. During his time as a member of the 
Patriot Guard, his role would encompass that of a general member, a 
Ride Captain, and Assistant State Captain. He completed 5,000 missions 
from Vermont to New York. Jack also went on to serve as a board member 
for the Connecticut Patriot Guard from April 2008 to June 2019.
  In the midst of his work with the Patriot Guard, from 2009 to 2015, 
Jack volunteered as Logistic Support Manager and Guardian for American 
Warrior. He escorted World War II veterans to the World War II 
Memorial, something that he found deeply gratifying.
  Jack's selflessness did not go unrecognized. In 2011, he was awarded 
the Outstanding Citizenship Award by the National Society of the Son of 
the American Revolution. A year later, he was awarded the Norwich Area 
Council Veteran of the Year Award for his support and dedication to 
Norwich area Veterans organizations. And, on November 1, 2013, Jack was 
inducted into the 9th class of the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame--a 
well-deserved nomination that I enthusiastically supported.
  Not one to rest, in 2015, Jack helped establish a series of veteran 
coffeehouses across Southeastern Connecticut. These coffeehouses 
offered and continue to offer veterans a network of support, resources 
and comradery.
  Jack stayed active in the veteran community until the end, 
participating in the Vietnam Veterans of American, Chapter 20, and 
Easter Seals veterans Rally Point. Jack was a lifetime member of the 
VVA, VFW, DAV, and Submarine Veterans Association.
  Madam Speaker, it is a privilege and an honor to represent 
constituents as selfless and humble as John ``Jack'' Casey, Jr. Though 
the gap he leaves in the fabric of Eastern Connecticut's veterans' 
community is one that won't be soon filled, we can find solace in the 
reality that Jack's hard work has touched thousands. Jack undoubtedly 
left those he interacted with better and achieved his goal of leaving 
things better for those who come after him. I ask that my colleagues 
please join me in honoring Jack Casey, a man to whom we can all look as 
a model of leadership and service.

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