[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 191 (Thursday, December 8, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1236]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING NORTHEAST WISCONSIN'S 2022 VETERAN OF THE YEAR, MICHAEL 
                                 WEAVER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MIKE GALLAGHER

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 8, 2022

  Mr. GALLAGHER. Madam Speaker, it is my honor to recognize Northeast 
Wisconsin's 2022 Veteran of the Year, Michael Weaver. His service on 
and off the battlefield in Vietnam, his dedication to fellow veterans 
back home, and his devotion to Wisconsin's 8th Congressional District 
make him well-deserving of this recognition.
  The Northeast Wisconsin Veteran of the Year is chosen annually by a 
selection committee consisting of members from the veteran and civilian 
community. It recognizes veterans in Northeast Wisconsin who continue 
to demonstrate service, excellence, and dedication in all that they do.
  A longtime resident of Kaukauna, Wisconsin, Michael served in the 
Army as a medic during the Vietnam War. He enlisted in 1966 and served 
for 3 years before receiving an Honorable discharge. During Michael's 
crucial service he received numerous medals and achievements, including 
the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the 
Vietnam Service Medal. Inspired by his father's service as a Combat 
Engineer in World War II, he enlisted as a Medical Corpsman in the Army 
after graduating high school. Once deployed to Vietnam in 1968, he 
started in a prisoner of war medical facility where he was charged with 
keeping enemy troops alive. He then returned to California to the 
Letterman Army Hospital in San Francisco where he provided care to the 
wounded service members who had made it back home until his discharge 
in 1969.
  While Michael's service to Vietnam will never be forgotten, his 
commitment to serving the men and women of Northeast Wisconsin after he 
hung up his uniform is just as impressive. After leaving Vietnam he has 
dedicated his life to giving back and he has done that every day since 
his discharge. Some key examples of his dedication to our community 
include: Past President and Lt. Governor for Wisconsin Kiwanis Club, 
Chairman of the Board for the Heart of the Valley Chamber, Special 
Olympics Fox Valley coach, Emergency Medical Technician, rifle team 
member for Kaukauna VFW, a mentor for the Outagamie County Veterans 
Treatment Court, and chaplain of the Disabled American Veterans 
Appleton Post. Since his retirement from his civilian career, he has 
placed wreaths on nearly 1,200 grave markers for veterans, served as 
Senior Captain of the Patriot Guard, and also managed American flag 
poles for numerous organizations throughout the Fox Cities.
  One impressive feat noted by one of Michael's nominators was that he 
recently helped honor two of Kaukauna's oldest veterans by reuniting 
them after 75 years through the VFW's Golf with a Vet event. He has 
clearly demonstrated a commitment to excellence, service, and 
dedication throughout all that he does in his life.
  Most notably, Michael dedicates a substantial amount of time to St. 
Paul Elder Services in Kaukauna. Michael has spent the last decade 
dedicating time with veterans who are on hospice or end of life care 
with St. Paul Elder Services. As an Army medic veteran, he often 
connects with other veterans in a way that civilians simply cannot. 
From Vietnam to Kaukauna Michael continues to walk with veterans 
through an extremely challenging time.
  Madam Speaker, I once again congratulate Michael Weaver for his 
service to Northeast Wisconsin, the veteran community, and on being the 
2022 Northeast Wisconsin Veteran of the Year. Northeast Wisconsin can 
be proud of the many great veterans who call the 8th Congressional 
District home, and I urge all colleagues to join me in recognizing 
these outstanding men and women.

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