[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 175 (Monday, November 14, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6659-S6661]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              VETERANS DAY

  Mr. TUBERVILLE. Mr. President, in 1945, a World War II veteran named 
Raymond Weeks from Birmingham, AL, recognized the need for a day to 
honor all veterans. He led the petition to then-Army Chief of Staff 
Dwight Eisenhower for a national veterans day and organized the first 
veterans day parade in Birmingham on November 11, 1947.
  In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a bill officially 
establishing ``Veterans Day.'' President Eisenhower said, ``Let us 
solemnly remember the sacrifices of all those who fought so valiantly 
on the seas, in the air, and on foreign shores, to preserve our 
heritage of freedom.''
  It is fitting that the ``Father of Veterans Day'' was an Alabamian, 
symbolizing a longstanding tradition among our residents to recognize 
and show appreciation for our veterans and servicemembers. Every year, 
we continue this tradition of pausing to recognize our veterans--past 
and present.
  Veterans Day reminds us that freedom is a sacred gift, and it is not 
free. Some endured unthinkable battles and hardships so that we can 
live in peace. Most have relinquished their autonomy, moving themselves 
and their families across the country and around the world, with little 
to no notice, spending holidays and major life events separated from 
loved ones.
  And all joined willing to lay down life and limb for their country. 
Alabama is home to more than 400,000 of these heroes, and today, I will 
be recognizing seven of them for their sacrifices to make our country 
safer. They embody what it means to be a member of our Armed Forces--
but also what it means to be an American. Their service did not end 
when their time in the military did; they are investing in their 
communities even after taking off their uniforms. Each of them chose to 
use their experiences to uplift those around them. If you ask them 
about their heroic actions or how they have contributed to making a 
difference in others' lives, they will humbly tell you it has been 
their honor to do so.
  I am proud to recognize their military service and the unique ways 
they are investing in our communities, like SGT Chris Amacker of 
Slapout, AL, a

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gun truck commander in the Army's 465th Transportation Unit, where he 
moved ammo and equipment during the Iraq war. He faithfully carried out 
his duty, traveling more miles for his unit than any other driver 
during his time. His military service was cut short after suffering 
brain and spinal injuries following an explosive attack on his unit.
  Sergeant Amacker spent more than a year in an Arkansas rehabilitation 
facility, relearning how to walk and talk. But you wouldn't guess that 
Sergeant Amacker had been through so much from his positive outlook and 
passion for helping others lead meaningful lives. He considers himself 
blessed to be alive and doesn't regret his decision to join the Army.
  Today, Sergeant Amacker is actively involved in his community and 
several veterans' organizations, including the American Legion in 
Middlebrook. He supports other veterans coping with service-connected 
issues like PTSD by listening to their struggles and connecting them 
with other veterans to help break down isolation barriers. He also 
helps them find jobs to ease their transition to civilian life.
  Sergeant Amacker is a devoted dad, cheering on his children at soccer 
games and in the band. He is described by someone in the community as 
``a one-in-a-million man who will do anything to help anyone, 
particularly a fellow service person.''
  There is no more commendable action than using skills learned in the 
military to help others succeed, like Officer Eric Prewitt from Havana, 
AL, does, day in and day out. A graduate of Hale County High School, 
Officer Prewitt enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1992, where he served as a 
yeoman second class. During his time in the military, he served as 
administrative support for military officers in assignments, with 
Active-Duty assignments in Guam, Australia, and the Philippines.
  Officer Prewitt felt led to return to west Alabama after his time in 
the military and use his skills to assist veterans wishing to use their 
GI Bill benefits. In 2005, he became the Veterans Affairs officer and 
diversity training liaison at Shelton State Community College in 
Tuscaloosa, AL.
  When speaking about his job, Officer Prewitt shared how the military 
invested in him and that he wants to continue investing in our 
servicemembers and veterans. His role is a huge benefit to not just 
west Alabama but our entire State.
  He helps nearly 400 veterans and their dependents annually to get the 
assistance they need while attending college. Officer Prewitt's efforts 
have helped increase the veteran student population retention rate and 
make it possible for them to achieve their educational goals. 
Additionally, his office leads his community in making sure veterans do 
not feel alone or forgotten, including participating in ``Operation We 
Remember'' to raise awareness about veteran suicide.
  Some servicemembers were not well received upon their return to 
American soil. They fought a thankless war without feeling supported, 
but still fought out of devotion for their country. This was the case 
for combat LTC Jeff Wishik of Madison, AL. Born in Montgomery, he was 
commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army through Marion 
Military Institute's early commissioning program.
  He deployed to Vietnam with the 101st Airborne Division, directed to 
find and engage enemy forces. In one particularly intense engagement 
with the North Vietnamese, Wishik charged through an onslaught of 
bullets to take command of the injured front element and order the 
wounded troops to safety. His quick action and leadership allowed the 
unit to move the wounded out of the conflict zone.
  While scouting for a landing zone for a helicopter to evacuate them, 
Lieutenant Wishik was struck by numerous enemy attacks, including one 
explosion that blew him into the air, knocked him unconscious, and 
killed all but three in his scouting group.
  After he and the two other soldiers realized they were outnumbered 
and unable to turn back, they spent the night pretending to be dead to 
avoid being captured by the enemy. He recalls enemy troops walking 
within inches of them and unknowingly stepping on them as they tried to 
remain quiet despite their serious injuries.
  During the night, a North Vietnamese soldier discovered Lieutenant 
Wishik, looking for his food rations. Lieutenant Wishik used his last 
bit of strength to take out the enemy before passing out again, saving 
himself and the remaining two soldiers from his scouting group. He 
spent time recovering in multiple medical facilities before returning 
to Vietnam as a pilot for a second combat tour.
  He received many awards for his courageous actions, including the 
Distinguished Service Cross, Bronze Medal, and a Purple Heart. He went 
to work for Lockheed Martin for 24 years following his retirement from 
the military in 1988 and has devoted his time throughout the years 
volunteering in various organizations, including the Semper Fi 
Community Task Force of North Alabama and as compliance lead in support 
of Madison County's Veterans Court.
  Lieutenant Wishik's wise reminder to Americans based on his 
experience is that, ``You may not agree with the politics of the 
country, but you don't take it out on American servicemembers.''
  The call to serve may ``run in the family,'' where, for some 
veterans, the lessons and values learned in military service are worth 
passing on generation to generation. This is the case for SGT Janet 
Pray of Geneva, AL, who served in the U.S. Army from 1989-2003.
  Sergeant Pray grew up in a military family, and after graduating from 
Alabama State University with a degree in social work, she decided to 
enlist. Her first assignment was in Germany, driving a 5-ton truck back 
and forth from the airfield to refuel aircraft.
  Upon returning to the States, the Army selected Sergeant Pray for a 
professional leadership development course. For a while, she moved 
around, serving at Fort Campbell and Fort Hood before being sent to 
Korea, reaching the rank of staff sergeant. Her final tour of duty was 
in Germany during the Iraq war, where she prepared her unit for 
deployment as part of the 19th Support Group.
  After retiring from the Army, Sergeant Pray continued supporting the 
Department of Defense in various roles, including as an administrative 
assistant at Ft. Rucker. Her love for education and empowering the next 
generation prompted her to become a substitute teacher and aide for the 
Geneva City Schools System.
  Her encouragement and tenacious spirit has touched the lives of 
countless students and teachers. Though she retired from teaching 
earlier this year, Sergeant Pray's influence lives on in her four 
grandchildren. One of her grandsons is currently on track to become an 
officer in the military after he graduates college. Sergeant Pray says 
the military taught her to lead by example and be responsible for her 
own actions--lessons she continues to pass on. People like Sergeant 
Pray keep the American dream alive by inspiring others to take 
advantage of opportunities our country has to offer and leading by 
example.
  For veterans like 100-year-old George Hamilton of Pleasant Grove, the 
idea of ``service'' has no age limit. The World War II Navy veteran 
participates in different events around Jefferson County to share his 
story and is active in his local congregation at Bethel Baptist Church. 
Mission work is a huge part of his life. He has been on 11 trips to 
Nicaragua and is planning to go again soon.
  Following the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, then-19-year-old Mr. 
Hamilton chose to enlist in the Navy. He served as a radarman second 
class aboard the USS King, helping protect the west coast and the North 
Pacific around the Aleutian Islands.
  Mr. Hamilton says his only regret about his time with the Navy is not 
signing up sooner. He reflects fondly on his service, but also on how 
united Americans were during World War II, with a huge desire to do 
whatever was necessary to defeat our common enemy and defend our way of 
life. Mr. Hamilton continues to remind us of our country's potential 
when we are united, saying, ``If we could get that feeling back in our 
country today, we could get out of this situation we're in without 
fail.''
  Many heroes gave our country some of the best years of their lives so 
that we could freely enjoy ours. One such hero is SGT Lonnie Phillips 
of Pell City, AL. The two-time Purple Heart recipient left home when he 
was just 17

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years old to join the Marines, serving in the Vietnam war for 1 year 
and 11 months.
  During his time in Vietnam, Sergeant Phillips survived two attacks 
but sustained life-changing injuries. He tearfully recalled losing most 
of his buddies when his unit came under gunfire while patrolling 
through a rice field. Sergeant Phillips woke up in the back of a 
medical vehicle with multiple injuries, including a severe blow to his 
left leg that required the removal of most of his calf. Decades later, 
he still has shrapnel in his hip, a painful reminder of the cost of 
freedom.
  Sergeant Phillips says he doesn't regret his service because he hopes 
it will keep today's youth from facing the same hardship. He gives his 
time in the military credit for teaching him discipline and the sacred 
value of life.
  Now, Sergeant Phillips takes pride in raising honeybees and growing 
fresh produce for the St. Clair County community. But he doesn't see 
himself as a hero--just a man who did what his country asked of him 
during a difficult point in history. His humility and devotion are an 
inspiration to us all.
  The sacrifices made by our servicemembers are often overlooked or 
taken for granted by those of us who benefit from them. Even during the 
Korean war, often referred to as the ``Forgotten War,'' there were men 
and women who willingly answered the call to serve--not for fame or 
recognition, but to keep our country safe from evil, like Sergeant Dave 
Jensen of Foley, who enlisted in the U.S. Air Force at 19 years old.
  His job was to help assess aerial photography used for enemy 
surveillance. His first overseas assignment was in North Africa 
supporting those who flew along the Russian lines before doing stints 
in Alaska, Hawaii, and Guam. After honorably discharging, Sergeant 
Jensen made another commendable decision to enter public education, 
teaching the art of woodworking and mechanics during his 30 years as a 
shop instructor. Sergeant Jensen is an example of someone who knew the 
importance of his role to the overall mission and honorably carried out 
his part.
  These veterans--Chris Amacker, Eric Prewitt, Jeff Wishik, Janet Pray, 
George Hamilton, Lonnie Phillips, and Dave Jensen--are all heroes. Our 
country is safer because of their efforts, and Alabama's communities 
are better off because of their service and continued service. Their 
sacrifices--whether loss of mobility, time spent away from family, 
postwar trauma, or the most vibrant years of their youth--demonstrate 
America's strength to the world. President Ronald Reagan summed it up 
best when he said, ``Veterans know better than anyone else the price of 
freedom, for they've suffered the scars of war. We can offer them no 
better tribute than to protect what they have won for us.''
  I hope we will remember the price of freedom and those who have paid 
it. To all of our veterans, thank you for your sacrifice and endeavors 
to ensure America remains the country of freedom and opportunity for 
generations to come.

                          ____________________