[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 129 (Wednesday, July 26, 2023)]
[House]
[Pages H3957-H3958]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       STORIES OF SERVICEMEMBERS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Virginia (Ms. Spanberger) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. SPANBERGER. Mr. Speaker, I stand here to recognize some of 
Virginia's many proud veterans and military families. One of my most 
powerful memories of my late grandfather was when I took him to the 
World War II Memorial and had the opportunity to stand with him on the 
side marked Pacific and hear some of his stories from his time in 
service. These are stories that he, throughout my childhood, never 
shared, but at that memorial chose to share with me.
  As a Representative for Virginia's Seventh District and as a 
Representative of many military families and veterans, I ensure that I 
am giving a voice and putting into the Congressional Record some of the 
extraordinary stories of service that we have throughout our district.
  Earlier this year, I reached out to Virginians across the Seventh 
District asking them to share stories of service to recognize their 
loved ones who answered the call or share their own experiences. I 
heard from people across the Seventh District, and I was proud to share 
some of those stories in May during Military Appreciation Month, and I 
will continue to do so into the future.
  Kenneth J. Schmidt from Prince William County shared the long record 
of service in his family, writing ``My family is a proud military one. 
Our father served during World War I. Seven brothers-in-law, two 
cousins, and my oldest brother served during World War II. My other 
brother and I served during the Korean war. Army, Navy, Air Force, we 
were there.''

[[Page H3958]]

  I thank Mr. Schmidt for his family's sacrifices on behalf of our 
country.
  We received a story from James Willess who lives in Fredericksburg. 
Mr. Willess wrote, ``My father, Homer Leroy Willess, served in the U.S. 
Navy from July 1937 to September 1945, mostly in the Pacific theater. 
Four of his brothers also served in the Navy, and his eldest sister 
served as an Army nurse during World War II. Three of his younger 
brothers served in the Navy during the Korean war, and their youngest 
sister served as a Navy nurse during the Vietnam war. I am extremely 
proud of my father and siblings for serving their country in uniform 
during three major wars.''
  Neil Hornung from Spotsylvania, a veteran himself, shared with us, 
``I served in the Marine Corps from 1982 until 2008. Served in 
Operation Desert Storm, Operation Desert Shield, and Operation Uphold 
Democracy. My last tour was as the Marine Corps lead for critical 
infrastructure.''
  I thank Mr. Hornung for his service.
  Mr. Hornung wanted to recognize a member of his family who followed 
in his footsteps. He wrote, ``My oldest son is First Lieutenant Brandon 
Hornung, United States Marine Corps, currently stationed on Okinawa.''
  I thank Brandon for his service. Please stay safe.
  Paul from Spotsylvania shared his father's story of service in the 
United States Marine Corps. He wrote, ``My dad, Ed Czartosieski, was at 
the Battle of Chosin Reservoir in Korea as a marine pilot flying 
Corsair aircraft. He flew out of Hagaru and was surrounded by Chinese 
forces. He assisted in saving many lives with the `advance to the rear' 
as the Marine Corps. He retired as a test pilot for Grumman Aerospace 
on Long Island. Dad is doing well in Greenport, New York, and soon to 
be age 100.'' Paul wrote, ``I hope to get to the United States Marine 
Corps Museum in Quantico, Virginia.''
  Harry Dolph from Stafford sent us the story of his mother, a patriot 
who stepped into service on behalf of our country when it needed her 
the most. Mr. Dolph wrote, ``My mother, Caroline Alva Bush, was one of 
the first dozen women to enlist in the U.S. Navy during World War I, 
and served in personnel in Washington, D.C.''
  George Wratney from Orange County shared a story highlighting the 
sacrifices and contributions of military families.
  Mr. Wratney shared with us, ``I was a Marine in Vietnam from April 
1968 to May 1969, but this is about my bride of 22 months when I left 
home, and the thousands of military brides like her, who had no one `in 
their boat' back home to share stories, fears, anxieties. No email 
then. No social media. Only prayers. We owe them, all of them, much 
gratitude as they stood by.''
  I thank Mr. Wratney for his service and recognizing the service and 
the sacrifice of military families like his bride.
  Veterans, servicemembers, and Virginia's proud military family 
members are our neighbors, friends, and community members--their 
stories are woven into the fabric of our Nation and certainly 
Virginia's Seventh District. We owe them a debt of gratitude, and we 
must thank every American who answered the call and every American that 
will do so in the future.
  We are undoubtedly freer thanks to the service and sacrifice of 
Virginians that answered the call.

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