[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 150 (Monday, September 18, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H4355]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            REMEMBERING WORLD WAR II VETERAN WILLIAM PARKER

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Van Orden). The Chair recognizes the 
gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Hern) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. HERN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of my 
constituent and World War II veteran, William Norman Parker, who passed 
away on September 11 as an American hero.
  Mr. Parker was one of the first soldiers to arrive on Omaha Beach on 
D-day in 1944.
  Mr. Parker and his fellow soldiers displayed incredible heroism on 
that fatal day and the terrible days that followed. Their courage and 
patriotism represent the very best of the American spirit. In July of 
this year, Mr. Parker returned to Omaha Beach for the first time since 
that day 78 years ago. I can only imagine how he felt standing on that 
calm beach then with the traumatic memories from that summer when he 
was just 19 years old, risking life and limb for the future of this 
country.
  My prayer is that he found peace on that beach and returned home 
feeling the pride and gratitude of the Nation he fought for. Whether it 
be on Omaha Beach or at Ground Zero, America has always stood for 
freedom, and we will continue to make that stand.
  My thoughts and prayers are with Bill's friends, his family, and 
beloved veteran community as he is laid to rest today in Oklahoma. May 
this hero rest in peace for always and forever.

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