[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 51 (Tuesday, March 21, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E231-E232]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING THE LATE JAMES ``KUCH'' KUCHWARA FOR HIS SERVICE TO HIS 
                         COMMUNITY AND COUNTRY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MATT CARTWRIGHT

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 21, 2023

  Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Mr. Speaker, Today I honor the late James ``Kuch'' 
Kuchwara for his military service and his lifelong service to his 
fellow veterans as commander of VFW Post 25. Kuch passed away 
unexpectedly on Saturday, March 4, 2023.
  Kuch, the son of the late John and Rose Kelly Kuchwara, was born and 
raised in Scranton, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Scranton Technical 
High School with the Class of 1968. Answering the call of duty to serve 
his country, Kuch enlisted in the United States Army, serving during 
the Vietnam War. Following his honorable discharge from the Army, he 
worked in the construction and contracting industry. For more than 30 
years, he was employed as a crew leader for the Pennsylvania American 
Gas and Water Company.

[[Page E232]]

He was a proud member and president of the local IBEW Union for UGI and 
a member of the masonry union.
  Kuch is best known around Scranton as the commander of the General 
Theodore J. Wint VFW Post 25, one of the oldest VFWs in the country. He 
led this very active VFW post of more than 500 members in both social, 
ceremonial and community service endeavors. He has been at the helm of 
many of the post's initiatives, like hanging hometown heroes banners 
along streets in North Scranton, recruiting younger veterans to join 
his post and getting a bridge named for General Wint, a brigadier 
general and the post's namesake. Kuch and VFW Post 25 have championed 
one of the City of Scranton's most ambitious veterans' recognition 
projects, a 7-feet-tall and 33-feet-long granite monument with the 
names of nearly 1000 Scrantonians who died in battle.
  Kuch has been a long-time dedicated supporter of veterans' issues 
from all angles. Just last year, he stood by me as I announced the Camp 
Lejeune Justice Act. Men like Kuch have taught me a great deal about 
what it means to be an American and a public servant.
  I am humbled to join with Kuch's family and friends, VFW Post 25 and 
the entire community in honoring the life and service of this American 
patriot. He leaves behind an indelible legacy and his honor, integrity 
and steadfast leadership won't soon be forgotten.

                          ____________________