[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 88 (Wednesday, May 24, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H2558]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  NATIONAL MILITARY APPRECIATION MONTH

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Virginia (Ms. Spanberger) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. SPANBERGER. Mr. Speaker, I stand here today during National 
Military Appreciation Month to recognize some of Virginia's many 
Active-Duty servicemembers, veterans, fallen heroes, and military 
families.
  Earlier this month, I reached out to families across Virginia's 
Seventh District to gather their stories of service, detailing the 
courage and the unwavering commitment of Virginians who have answered 
the call to serve our country.
  As the daughter, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter of veterans, I am 
humbled to read some of the stories I received.
  Rick Pullen of Fredericksburg shared the story of his wife, Air Force 
Colonel Cherie Zadlo, whom he described as the ``first woman'' in 
nearly every job she had in her 27-year career. Colonel Zadlo built an 
airfield, saw missiles come right at her while she was a passenger in a 
military cargo plane, and was almost killed by a roadside bomb. A 
symbol of dedicated service to our country, her maternity uniform is a 
part of the Women's Military Museum collection.
  Marie Atkins from Prince William shared the story of her late 
husband, Michael Atkins, who joined the U.S. Army when he was 17 years 
old. He served two tours in Vietnam, joined the Army Reserves, and 
served in the Gulf war. Upon returning home, Mr. Atkins married Mrs. 
Atkins, they had two daughters, and he enjoyed spending time with his 
three grandchildren. Committed to honoring his brothers in arms, he was 
a member of two motorcycle clubs, Rolling Thunder and Patriot Guard, 
which escorted fallen servicemembers to burials in military cemeteries. 
Mr. Atkins is now buried with military honors at Quantico National 
Cemetery.
  Annette Wiahner from Orange shared the story of her late father, U.S. 
Army Air Corps fighter pilot Walter Kozial. Of her father's service in 
World War II, she writes: ``Few people know that he was among a few 
brave volunteers to be the first to try shooting projectile rockets off 
the P-51 Mustang. They were told that it was uncertain when the rockets 
would detonate and that they could light up while still on the wing. 
Dad said to himself, `Well, somebody has got to do it.' He had guts, 
and he loved his country.''
  I also heard from Clayton Hill from Stafford who shared the story of 
his great uncle Wibb Cooper, a U.S. Army veteran and doctor in the 
Pacific theater during World War II where my own grandfather served.
  Mr. Cooper was captured by Japanese forces and survived the horrific 
Bataan Death March. In Clayton's words: ``During that time, he stood up 
to his captors on behalf of other prisoners. He was decorated for his 
valor.''
  Michele from Stafford, who was born and raised in Germany, emigrated 
to the United States in 1980, and she shares that she always felt that 
service to country is the responsibility and duty of all citizens. She 
wrote: ``When I joined the Army, it was my way of giving back to a 
country that was to become my new home.'' She served for 8 years before 
transitioning into civilian service working for the U.S. Government, 
and she retired after 35 years of total service to our country.
  Alexa Rice from Prince William wrote to honor many of her loved ones; 
her husband serving in the U.S. Army currently on Active Duty, as well 
as her brother who serves in the U.S. Marine Corps. Her husband has 
been deployed for the past 8 months and Alexa's father served for more 
than 20 years in the Marine Corps. Her oldest brother served in the 
Marines, and her grandfather served with both the Marine Corps and the 
U.S. Navy.
  She writes: ``It is with such gratitude that these special 
individuals, not just in my own family, but men and women all over get 
the recognition and appreciation they surely earn and earned.''
  Virginians who are serving, have served, or love someone who is 
serving or has served know the true meaning of sacrifice.
  We as Americans owe a debt of gratitude to every servicemember past 
and present who put on the uniform and defended our Nation. I will 
continue working in Congress to pass legislation to connect Virginia's 
veterans and veterans across the country with the benefits and support 
they deserved and have earned, and I will encourage all Americans to 
give thanks for the men and women in your life, in our life, in our 
communities who took up arms. We must all remember those who made the 
ultimate sacrifice for our great country.
  Mr. Speaker, we as Americans enjoy the promise of freedom because so 
many brave Virginians answered the call.

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