[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 147 (Tuesday, September 13, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E918]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          CELEBRATING CHAPLAIN BENJAMIN VEGORS' 100TH BIRTHDAY

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. CATHY McMORRIS RODGERS

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 13, 2022

  Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
Chaplain Benjamin Vegors, who will celebrate his 100th birthday on 
Sunday, September 25, 2022. Benjamin lives in Walla Walla, Wash., where 
for the last four decades, he has lived an inspiring life full of 
purpose. As anyone who knows him will tell you, Benjamin has had a 
positive impact on every person he has crossed paths with, both in his 
service to our country and community.
  Chaplain Vegors is a man of great integrity, and he is a tremendous 
example to the next generation. He valiantly protected our country's 
freedom and liberty in the midst of World War II, when he served in the 
Army Air Corps from 1942 to 1945. During a particularly fateful mission 
in which two of his plane's engines were shot out, Chaplain Vegors made 
a promise that if he survived, he would serve God for the rest of his 
life.
  Benjamin stayed true to his word. After his time as a serviceman, 
Chaplain Vegors turned his focus to living a life dedicated in service 
to God and His people. He attended Seminary at Multnomah Bible College 
in Portland and was appointed as a full-time chaplain at the Jonathan 
M. Wainwright Memorial VA Medical Center in Walla Walla in 1972. For 42 
years, Chaplain Vegors selflessly served his brothers and sisters in 
arms, veterans from all across Eastern Washington, by offering his 
counsel and care until his retirement in 2014 at the age of 91.
  During his remarkable 100 years of life, Chaplain Benjamin Vegors has 
undoubtedly fulfilled his mission to serve God and help others. Madam 
Speaker, on this most special day, I ask my colleagues to join me in 
wishing Benjamin Vegors the happiest 100th birthday and celebrating the 
legacy he will leave within our community for generations to come.

                          ____________________