[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 82 (Friday, May 10, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E482]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       RECOGNIZING ERNEST SCANGO

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GUS M. BILIRAKIS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 10, 2024

  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the 
service and patriotism of one of my constituents, Ernest Scango. Mr. 
Scango was born on January 8, 1923 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was 
drafted into the United States Army on March 5, 1943. After training at 
Fort Benning, Ernest joined the 551st Paratroop Infantry Battalion. As 
a Parachutist and Rifleman, Ernest participated in the major battles 
taking place in France. He took part in Operation Dragoon which was 
designed to secure the southern coast of France and the critical 
Mediterranean ports while forcing the Germans to open a second front 
while facing the D-Day invasion in Normandy under Operation Overlord. 
Then, he subsequently redeployed and took part in the Ardennes 
Offensive and Rhineland campaigns which were critical to ending war in 
Europe.
  Today, Mr. Scango lives in Homosassa, Florida where he just 
celebrated his 102nd birthday. This month, he is receiving the 
distinguished insignia at ``Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur'' 
(``Knight in the Legion of Honor'') from the French government. As a 
Member of the Greatest Generation, Mr. Scango and his fellow brothers 
and sisters-in-arms demonstrated incredible bravery and skill as they 
fought to save the world from the evils of Nazism, hatred and genocide. 
We all owe this hero a debt of gratitude that can never fully be 
repaid. Today and always, we remember his patriotism and courageous 
actions. We must honor his service and sacrifice by continuing to 
protect the sacred values of freedom he fought so hard to defend.