[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 136 (Tuesday, August 15, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E776]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING SPC CHARLIE SIMPSON, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BRUCE WESTERMAN

                              of arkansas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 15, 2023

  Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the service and 
heroism of U.S. Army Specialist Charlie Simpson, Jr. Mr. Simpson was 
drafted into the United States Army in 1968 and went to Basic Training 
in Fort Ord, California. After Basic Training, he successfully 
completed Advanced Infantry Training and later, Jump Training School. 
He then received orders to join our brave soldiers in Vietnam.
  Mr. Simpson was injured on November 1, 1969, while serving the United 
States of America, and he was hospitalized in Japan for 30 days. He 
returned home to the U.S. in December 1969, and recuperated at the 
Fitzsimons General Hospital in Denver, Colorado, for 1 year. As a 
result of his combat service-connected injuries, Mr. Simpson lost both 
of his legs. He received an honorable discharge in 1970, and he was 
recognized for his tremendous service with the awarding of a Purple 
Heart and other prestigious medals. With such serious injuries, some 
would have given up, but that's not Charlie Simpson's way. After his 
discharge from the Army, Mr. Simpson returned home to Malvern, 
Arkansas, where he met his wife, Brenda, and where they made a 
tremendously full life together. The Simpsons have 5 children: Aaronda 
McNair and her husband, Tony, Veronica Rose and her husband, Cletis, 
Charlie Simpson, III and his wife, Nikya, Leticia Franklin and her 
husband, Kevin, and their dearly beloved, deceased son, Aaron Simpson. 
They have also been blessed with 11 grandchildren and 2 great-
grandchildren to carry-on the legacy of their brave grandfather and 
great-grandfather.
  Mr. Speaker, we often mention the sacrifices our men and women in 
uniform and their families make for our country, and rightly so. But 
today, along with our thanks, let us also celebrate the good work and 
contributions these soldiers, airmen, and marines have made in their 
communities. I would like to thank Specialist Simpson for his 
tremendous sacrifice for our nation and wish him well as he continues 
working for the people of Malvern, Arkansas. All Arkansans are 
eternally grateful for his service.

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