[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 56 (Tuesday, April 2, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E301-E302]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            CELEBRATING THE 100TH BIRTHDAY OF ALLEN Q. JONES

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GUY RESCHENTHALER

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, April 2, 2024

  Mr. RESCHENTHALER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate the life and 
legacy of Allen Q. Jones, who celebrates his 100th birthday on April 
11, 2024.
  Allen was born in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, and attended Uniontown 
High School during the early years of World War II, receiving a draft 
notice shortly before graduation. In 1943, Allen departed for training 
with the U.S. Army's 717th Tank Battalion. The following year brought 
him through Forts Chaffee, Knox, and Meade before leaving for Europe 
aboard the S.S. Cristobal on Christmas Eve, 1944. Corporal Allen Jones 
and the 717th Tank Battalion crossed the River Rhine in the spring of 
1945 and remained in Germany until the end of the war. Once he returned 
to the United States, he attended Waynesburg College and joined the 
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 21 in Connellsville, Pennsylvania.
  Allen stayed active in the VFW for over 70 years, winning leadership 
elections at the local and national levels. He began his tenure as 
Fayette County Commander but soon rose to the rank of District 23 
Commander. Allen's peers elected him Pennsylvania State Commander in 
1986, where his work ethic earned national acclaim. He served on the 
VFW National Home's Board of Trustees for two years before winning the 
Board President election in 1995. Allen gained further distinction at 
the 1999 VFW National Convention when the delegates appointed him to 
the National Council of Administration. His leadership tenure ended in 
2016 after a one-year commission as National Chief of Staff.
  Allen's call to service inspired him to become an active member of 
the Connellsville Area School District community throughout his adult 
life. He taught science and special education for 30 years and served 
as president of the Connellsville Area Education Association after 
retiring from teaching in 1984. Allen also coached multiple sports 
teams at Connellsville Junior High School. He led the Connellsville 
Junior High East boys basketball team through an undefeated season in 
1970, cumulating in winning the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic 
Athletic League Junior Championship. He also won a league championship 
in 1984 while coaching the Connellsville Junior High girls basketball 
team. The Connellsville School Falcon Foundation recognized Allen's 
years of commitment to student-athletes by inducting him into their 
Hall of Fame in 2016.
  Allen married Nancy Carol Dayton in 1950 and shared 70 happy years of 
marriage before her passing in 2021. The couple raised two children 
together: Marcia Knight and Charles ``Chuckie'' Jones. Over the years, 
their family grew to include two granddaughters and one great-
granddaughter.

[[Page E302]]

  Allen's selfless service left a mark on southwestern Pennsylvania and 
made his community a better place. Few people share his remarkable 
ability to connect with and mentor young students. His story is the 
epitome of a life well-lived.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the people of Pennsylvania's 14th 
Congressional District, I wish Allen Q. Jones a happy 100th birthday 
surrounded by friends and family.