[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 190 (Wednesday, November 15, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1107]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING MS. LORRAINE EGAN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BILL FOSTER

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 15, 2023

  Mr. FOSTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate a Crystal Lake, 
Illinois native, Lorraine Egan, for her service in the United States 
Navy.
  Following the unprovoked attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, Lorraine 
proclaimed that she would be ``joining the Navy,'' following in the 
footsteps of her father who had served in WWI. On December 8, just the 
day after the attack, her father took her to the Navy's recruitment 
center. Lorraine entered the Navy as part of the Women Accepted for 
Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES) program, and in her words ``learned 
to be tough in a gentle way,'' which she said was necessary to push 
back against some of the men who were less supportive of women being in 
the military. She was among the first 200 women to join the Navy.
  The Navy sent Lorraine to Hunter College in New York where she 
attended nursing school before being sent to complete basic training at 
Naval Station Great Lakes in Lake County, Illinois. Lorraine was then 
deployed to Camp Lejeune in North Carolina and was involved in 
surgeries and delivering babies, parts of the job she loved the most. 
Her daughter notes that Lorraine enjoyed almost every aspect of the 
job, recalling that ``she just loved all the work.''
  Former service members call her an inspiration. as not only did she 
have to pave the path for women to join the military, but ``she had to 
figure out the path  . . and bring the stones.'' At 101 years old, 
Lorraine encourages young women she meets to join the military as it 
pays for their education, instills a strong work ethic, and teaches 
people to be thoughtful and care about others.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating Lorraine 
Egan for her service to this country, and her bravery to trailblaze a 
path for women to serve our Nation. I offer her good health and the 
hope that she continues to spread the lessons she has learned over her 
life.

                          ____________________