[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 80 (Thursday, May 11, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E426]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    RECOGNIZING VIETNAM WAR HERO SERGEANT EARL ``BUTCHIE'' SCHUSTER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BRIAN HIGGINS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 11, 2023

  Mr. HIGGINS of New York. Mr. Speaker, today we recognize a hero in 
our community, Sergeant Earl ``Butchie'' Schuster, who valiantly served 
our country in Vietnam. Here at the pregame ceremony at Sahlen Field in 
Buffalo, thousands of Western New Yorkers will learn of Sergeant 
Schuster's fortitude and gain an appreciation of his commitment and 
service.
  Born and raised in South Buffalo, Sergeant Schuster was born in 1948 
and graduated from South Park High School. Butchie was drafted into the 
United States Army where he completed basic training. He then joined 
the 5th Infantry during the Vietnam War.
  While serving in Vietnam, Butchie was involved in several battles, 
served as a ``Tunnel Rat,'' and was ultimately wounded by the enemy in 
April of 1969. He received medical treatment before returning to combat 
with his fellow soldiers. He received the Bronze Star Medal for his 
bravery and heroic service and the Purple Heart for the injuries he 
sustained in battle. He was also awarded the Army Commendation Medal, 
Combat Infantryman Badge, National Defense Service Medal, Air Medal, 
Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze service stars, and the Republic 
of Vietnam Campaign Medal with 1960 Device.
  Butchie was honorably discharged from active duty in 1970 and 
returned home where he began his 42-year career as a Local 6 Union 
Ironworker in Buffalo. Fittingly, in the mid-1980s, Butchie was one of 
the first ironworkers to begin construction on Sahlen Field--the 
location at which we honor him today.
  Please join me in thanking Sergeant Schuster for his outstanding 
service to our country. He joined our military at a time of heightened 
tension in our nation, and as so many of his family and loved ones here 
today know, this type of appreciation is long overdue. I know his 
children, Brian and Wendy are watching today with love in their hearts. 
Butchie represents the very best of our Vietnam veterans, and it is my 
distinct honor to join our entire community in thanking him for his 
devotion to duty.

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