[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 29 (Wednesday, February 14, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E147]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING THE INCREDIBLE SERVICE OF RAYMOND TREMBLAY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOE COURTNEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 14, 2024

  Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an incredible 
milestone reached by Raymond Tremblay of Vernon, Connecticut, who turns 
100 years old on February 14, 2024. Raymond is the epitome of a 
patriotic, service-oriented American and continues to live a full life.
  Born on February 14, 1924, to Yvonne and Emile Tremblay in Berlin, 
New Hampshire, Raymond has been a devoted American, dedicating his life 
and work to bettering our country.
  Raymond's life trajectory changed with our Nation's entry into the 
Second World War following the attack on Pearl Harbor. In 1943, he 
heeded the call of his Nation to serve the United States in World War 
II. Raymond was drafted into the Infantry and sent to train in North 
Carolina. There he spent time honing his skills, preparing to be 
deployed at a moment's notice. The Army Air Force, during a visit to 
the base for recruitment of new airmen and engineers, recognized 
Raymond's talent and commitment to the war effort and immediately 
approved his transfer to that branch of the service.
  Now newly baptized as an airman, Raymond traveled to Texas to train 
as a flight engineer on a B-17 aircraft. His attention to detail and 
devotion to his obligations led to a promotion to the rank of Sergeant. 
Although never sent to fight in the European or Pacific theaters, 
Raymond was always ready to go wherever he was needed, a symbol of his 
devotion to his country.
  After his service in the Air Force, Raymond used his newly acquired 
aviation knowledge to contribute to a leading company in the aerospace 
industry. After the war concluded and he was discharged, Raymond 
returned home to Connecticut and found employment within the 
experimental and testing division at Pratt and Whitney where he could 
continue to support its mission with his skills and passion for working 
with aircraft. Pratt and Whitney Aircraft was instrumental in 
developing jet engines in the Cold War era that made a decisive 
difference in protecting our allies and the U.S. homeland. Until his 
retirement in 1982, Raymond was a part of that effort which our Nation 
should never forget.
  During this time at Pratt and Whitney, Raymond also married his 
hometown sweetheart and the love of his life, Lillian. Together they 
moved to Vernon, Connecticut in 1957. In Vernon, Raymond fulfilled his 
life-long dream of settling down and owning his own home, a place he 
and his wife raised their family in and lived for over 60 years.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues please join me in wishing 
Raymond a happy 100th birthday and recognizing him as the outstanding 
citizen he has distinguished himself as. I consider myself fortunate to 
represent constituents of such quality as Raymond. It is my honor to 
cement the incredible and continuing story of Raymond Tremblay. We wish 
Raymond a joyous birthday and many more years of happiness.