[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 188 (Tuesday, November 14, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1100]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      CONGRESSIONAL VETERAN COMMENDATION FOR SERGEANT GEORGE WOOD

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. PAT FALLON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 14, 2023

  Mr. FALLON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Sergeant George 
Wood of Blossom, Texas, and award him a Congressional Veteran 
Commendation. Sergeant Wood honorably served in the United States 
Army's 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment during the Cold War.
  Sergeant Wood heeded the call to defend his nation and joined the 
Army in 1973 shortly after the all-volunteer force military recruitment 
model was announced. At first, he trained as a loader on the M60A1 main 
battle tank, but quickly grew passionate about operating air defense 
systems. Eventually, Sergeant Wood was sent to West Germany in 1974 to 
provide a watchful eye over the skies of the East German border in the 
event of an attack by the Soviet Union. His efforts upheld democratic 
values and freedom in Western nations and safeguarded our NATO allies 
against Soviet aggression.
  After his discharge from the Army in 1977, Sergeant Wood worked as a 
welder's apprentice at the Lone Star Steel Company and as a Maintenance 
Planner at the Kimberly-Clark Corporation. Since 2012, he has served as 
the Chairman of the Red River Valley Veterans Memorial Museum board. 
Under his leadership, the Museum raised over a million dollars to build 
a beautiful memorial to commemorate local veterans for their service. 
Sergeant Wood also serves as the President and a firefighter for the 
East Post Oak Volunteer Fire Department and the President of the Lamar 
Electric Cooperative. He is a life member of the Blackhorse 
Association, a nonprofit that unites servicemembers and veterans of the 
11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. In this role, he helps fundraise to 
provide scholarships for children of Blackhorse Troopers who were 
killed or wounded in defense of our nation. Sergeant Wood is a devoted 
man of faith, and he regularly attends the Novice Baptist Church in 
Paris.
  I am honored to represent Sergeant Wood in Texas' 4th Congressional 
District. It is a privilege to award him the Congressional Veteran 
Commendation for his service to our Nation and to the people of North 
Texas.

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