[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 64 (Tuesday, April 18, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E328]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING GILBERT THOMAS SOWERS

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. ANDY BARR

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 18, 2023

  Mr. BARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of a special 
man, Mr. Gilbert Thomas Sowers. Mr. Sowers, a resident of Richmond, 
Kentucky, is a patriotic American who served our country in the United 
States Army. He celebrated his 90th birthday on December 15, 2022.
  Mr. Sowers was the son of William and Lily Durbin Sowers. He 
volunteered for military service in April of 1952 at the age of 18. He 
was sent to Pennsylvania for basic training and was later transferred 
to Germany. Mr. Sowers volunteered to go to Korea with the Second 
Infantry Division, where he was in charge of gathering intelligence. 
Following his first tour to Korea, he returned to Kentucky and married 
his wife, Betty.
  Mr. Sowers went to work at the Madison Frozen Food Locker but, after 
2 weeks there, he entered the National Guard at the rank of Sergeant 
First Class. He was sent to Korea for a second time in the late 1950s 
and to Germany in the 1960s with his family. In 1964, Mr. Sowers and 
his family moved back to the States, where he became a drill sergeant 
and then a mess hall sergeant. He is known still today as a great cook. 
Mr. Sower's next order took him to Vietnam as a Field Kitchen 
Supervisor. Not only did he cook; Mr. Sowers was involved in combat as 
well. He earned a Bronze Star for his heroic actions in helping to 
evacuate wounded soldiers after an enemy mortar attack in June of 1968. 
Following his tour in Vietnam, he served one more tour in Germany then 
retired from the service in 1975 after 24 years, 6 months, and 23 days 
of service to the United States.
  Mr. Sowers serves as a Baptist preacher and the Chaplain of the local 
Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 1066 in Richmond. He has also 
participated in missing man ceremonies. He represents all his fellow 
veterans with honor and dignity.
  Mr. Sowers is a true patriot. He served our country proudly and I am 
humbled to honor the service of Mr. Gilbert Thomas Sowers before the 
United States Congress.