[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 124 (Wednesday, July 19, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S3145]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     REMEMBERING ROBERT LEVI JONES

 Mr. CRAPO. Madam President, with my fellow Members of Idaho's 
congressional delegation Senator Jim Risch and Representatives  Mike 
Simpson and Russ Fulcher, we pay tribute to veteran and tireless 
veterans' advocate, Robert ``Bob'' Jones. Bob passed away on July 8, 
2023, after a long battle with cancer and heart disease. Bob's service 
in the U.S. Air Force, as a leader of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, 
VFW, and as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 
has left an indelible mark.
  Bob dedicated his life to God, country, and community. He served in 
the U.S. Air Force for 20 years, retiring as a lieutenant colonel; his 
service included commanding logistics squadrons supporting combat units 
in the Vietnam war, serving as chief of supply for the Presidential 
Wing at Andrews Air Force Base, and serving at the Pentagon as a senior 
staff officer with the U.S. Air Force. Bob earned 24 medals for his 
distinguished service that include the Vietnam Service Medal with three 
oakleaf clusters, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Vietnam 
Gallantry Cross with Palm, the Korean Defense Service Medal, and the 
Bronze Star.
  After his military service, Bob's civilian career included working as 
vice president of a defense firm in Saudi Arabia, where he met the love 
of his life, his wife of 40 years, Carmelita. They made their home in 
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for 13 years before moving to Rexburg in 1995. 
Bob and Carmelita owned the Arctic Circle Franchise in Rexburg and an 
independent family restaurant called Timber's Edge in Island Park for 
several years.
  Bob translated his immense experience to support and advocate for his 
fellow veterans. He served in many VFW leadership positions that 
included his service as a VFW All-American past state commander and 
national legislative committee member for Idaho. He and Carmelita have 
been so dedicated to helping improve the lives of servicemembers, 
veterans, and their families that they traveled to Capitol Hill twice 
per year to advocate on their behalf, and Bob stayed involved despite 
his battle with cancer. We have always valued the time spent with Bob 
and Carmelita as they thoughtfully explained the need for Federal 
policy changes to better support military families. The Major Richard 
Star Act, to provide combat-injured veterans with less than 20 years of 
military service their full benefits, is just one example of the 
legislation they worked to advance as they helped make clear the 
personal costs of war. Bob said, ``It is our duty and obligation to see 
that they are cared for and not forgotten.''
  Bob was also a precinct committeeman and a member of the Madison 
County Republican Central Committee and military liaison board member 
of the Rexburg Area Chamber of Commerce among his many efforts to serve 
the community. He understandably received numerous honors for this 
local and statewide service. Governor Brad Little presented Bob with 
the 2019 Idaho's Brightest Star Award for exemplary volunteer service 
to the State of Idaho and fostering an ethic of service in others. He 
was also a recipient of the 2020 Spirit of Freedom award for his 
extensive, extraordinary career of service to our country and his 
fellow veterans. He was recognized with the 2022-2023 VFW National 
Legislative Service Award at the VFW Legislative Conference on March 
14, 2023, for his tireless efforts on behalf of our Nation's veterans, 
and he was honored with the 2022 Presidential Award by the Chamber of 
Commerce at the 84th Annual Farmer Merchant Banquet on April 17, 2023, 
for his outstanding achievements and contributions to the success of 
Rexburg, to name just a few of his many honors.
  Bob's obituary aptly describes his service-focused mindset: ``He 
wanted to leave this world a better place than he had found it and pay 
forward for all the many blessings and opportunities with which he was 
blessed with.'' We offer our sincerest condolences to Carmelita and his 
many friends and loved ones, including their children, grandchildren, 
and great-grandchild. Bob is deeply missed and leaves a lasting legacy 
of admirable service to our country, State, community, fellow veterans, 
and so many others. We are fortunate to have known him and benefited 
from his vision, dedication and advocacy.

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