[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 52 (Wednesday, March 22, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E241-E242]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   COMMEMORATING JOSEPH P. BERKEY'S SERVICE TO THE UNITED STATES OF 
                                AMERICA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DEBBIE DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 22, 2023

  Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Joseph P. 
Berkey, a resident of Grosse Ile, Michigan who has served his Nation 
and community admirably over the last 100 years. His dedication to duty 
and mentorship of our youth is worthy of commendation.
  Joe was born on March 15, 1923 in the former Yugoslavia. Shortly 
afterwards, his father took his family and immigrated to Canada before 
eventually settling down in the Delray neighborhood of Detroit. Shortly 
after his 18th birthday, Joe enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He completed 
Boot Camp in San Diego where he earned the Navy Good Conduct Medal and 
was subsequently assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Wasp (CV-7) 
working on the ship's engines. In September of 1942, while serving as 
part of a task force supporting the invasion of Guadalcanal, the Wasp 
was hit with three torpedoes by a Japanese submarine. Seaman Berkey 
along with 1945 of a total crew of 2,400 were rescued and later that 
day the Wasp was scuttled due to severe damage beyond repair. In his 
five years of service, Joe served in Africa, Malta, the Middle East, 
and Asia.
  After discharge, Joe took full advantage of the G.I. Bill, attending 
both Eastern Michigan University and Western Michigan University and 
earning a Bachelors in Science. Joe spent the next 30 plus years 
teaching at various elementary and middle schools throughout Detroit. 
His greatest accomplishment was that he

[[Page E242]]

never missed a single day of work, tirelessly dedicating himself to the 
education of our youth. During those decades Joe met and married his 
lovely wife, Anne, and raised two children, Jerry and Anne Marie. Joe 
has stayed involved with his local VFW in Grosse Ile as well as being 
heavily involved in his local parish. His secret to staying active this 
late into life? ``I always feel young because I married an older 
woman.'' Anne turned 100 this Valentine's Day, a month before her 
husband.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in honoring the 
incredible life of Joseph P. Berkey, a man who served our country 
honorably during its darkest hours and who has been a positive 
influence on thousands of children who were lucky enough to learn 
inside his classroom over the decades. I thank him for his service to 
this Nation and to his community.

                          ____________________