[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 3 (Tuesday, January 6, 2026)]
[Senate]
[Page S47]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO PATRICK DOWNING

 Mr. TUBERVILLE. Mr. President, the military will take you all 
over the world, but Sweet Home Alabama has a way of bringing people 
back. That is true for Mobile native Colonel Patrick Downing, who found 
his way back to the Bay after 36 years of military service.
  The son of a World War II marine, Pat enlisted in the Army at just 17 
years old. In 1961, he signed up to be a part of the Special Forces 
unit, where he would serve for the next three decades--including two 
tours in Vietnam. Before he left, Pat married his high school 
sweetheart, Patricia, in a chapel at Fort Bragg. Upon arriving, Pat and 
his team were met with a mortar attack and told their unit had a bounty 
on their heads just for being in the country. But Pat wasn't deterred 
from his mission.
  He returned home briefly, where he and Patricia welcomed their first 
child Patti. Pat also completed Officer Candidate School during his 
time in between deployments at just 24 years old. Pat continued to show 
a determination for finishing what he started, earning his high school 
diploma and going on to complete a bachelor's degree and a master's 
degree. His final military role was as an adviser to the Army Reserves 
in Birmingham, AL.
  After retiring in 1996, Pat and Patricia knew that it was time to 
bring their family back to the Yellowhammer State for good after 19 
moves over the years. He then used his passion for education to give 
back to his hometown, working at the University of South Alabama for 
more than 20 years until his retirement in 2015. He directed one of 
South's satellite campuses for 15 years and wrapped up his time 
directing transportation for the main campus and the Springhill campus.
  Pat hasn't slowed down in retirement. Now, he serves Alabama's 
veterans in a number of roles--including with American Legion Post 88, 
Veterans of Foreign Wars, South Alabama Council, USS Alabama Battleship 
Commission, and the Alabama State Board of Veterans Affairs. Of all the 
many ways Pat has served those around him, two experiences stick out 
the most: bringing over 1,000 World War II vets to DC through Honor 
Flight South Alabama and working to establish a State cemetery for 
veterans in Spanish Fort, AL.
  He and his wife are proud grandparents to seven grandchildren and 
three great-grandchildren. After traveling far and wide to protect our 
freedoms, I am glad Pat planted his roots down in Mobile.
  It is my honor to recognize him as the January Veteran of the 
Month.

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