[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 94 (Wednesday, June 3, 2026)]
[House]
[Pages H3779-H3780]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              CLARKSTON VFW POST 1443 CELEBRATES 100 YEARS

  (Mr. Baumgartner of Washington was recognized to address the House 
for 5 minutes.)
  Mr. BAUMGARTNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the incredible 
milestone of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1443 in Clarkston, 
Washington, which celebrated its 100th anniversary on May 26.
  For one full century, the venerable post in downtown Clarkston has 
stood as a sanctuary of service, transforming the heavy, unspoken 
burdens of global conflict into a legacy of enduring local fellowship.
  Mr. Speaker, it is deeply fitting that we celebrate this centennial 
milestone precisely as our Nation marks its 250th anniversary of 
American independence. The history of VFW Post 1443 is a microcosm of 
the grand tapestry of American freedom. It bridges the gap between the 
revolutionary ideals of 1776 and modern preservation of liberty.
  The brave individuals who left Asotin County to fight on distant 
shores did so to protect the promise of our Republic. Many did not 
return home. For those who returned and found a home at Post 1443, the 
memories of their comrades were woven into the work building a century 
of camaraderie, youth mentorship, and veterans advocacy.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking the members 
and auxiliary of the Clarkston VFW Post 1443 for 100 years of 
unwavering devotion to our community and the United States of America.


                      Honoring Chief Lindsay Moon

  Mr. BAUMGARTNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 24 years of 
service to the Nation by Chief Master Sergeant Lindsay Moon, Command 
Chief of the 92nd Air Refueling Wing at Fairchild Air Force Base.
  Chief Moon made notable contributions as a developmental flight test 
boom operator in the development of air refueling operational 
procedures for the F-35 Lightning and the KC-46 Pegasus. Following 
that, he was selected to stand up a boom operator exchange program 
advising the Royal Australian Air Force during initial fielding of 
their KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport refueling program.
  Over the duration of his career, Chief Moon has amassed over 4,300 
flight hours, over 1,000 instructor/evaluator hours, 170 test flight 
sorties, and 132 combat sorties.
  Chief and Mrs. Moon will relocate soon to western Washington, where 
Chief Moon will begin a new career with Boeing.

  Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Chief Moon. On behalf of Congress and a 
grateful United States, we are grateful for his service.


                   Honoring Colonel Chad K. Cisewski

  Mr. BAUMGARTNER. Mr. Speaker, I also rise today to honor the 24 years 
of service to the Nation by Colonel Chad K. Cisewski, known to his 
airmen and the Fairchild community as ``Chewey,'' commander of the 92nd 
Air Refueling Wing at Fairchild Air Force Base.
  Chewey's retirement brings his 2-year command of the 92nd Air 
Refueling Wing to a close, which in turn caps 24 years of outstanding 
service to the U.S. Air Force.
  The airmen of the 92nd Air Refueling Wing made major contributions to 
the successful outcome of Operation Midnight Hammer, and for their 
valiant actions, over 20 airmen of the 92nd Air Refueling Wing were 
recently recognized with the granting of the Distinguished Flying 
Crosses and Bronze Star Medals.
  Colonel and Mrs. Cisewski will soon begin a new career and a new 
chapter in their lives where he will be at the Air Force ROTC program 
at the University of Minnesota, Duluth.
  Mr. Speaker, I and all of Spokane, Washington, know Chewey as a 
humble leader and a true gentleman. Now, all of the United States and 
Congress knows it as well.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of Congress and a grateful United States, we 
salute Chewey's service.


                    Celebrating the Nine Mile Store

  Mr. BAUMGARTNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the passage of a 
major milestone for one of Spokane County's oldest institutions: the 
Nine Mile Store. Located in Nine Mile Falls, Washington, it has reached 
its 120th continuous year of operation.
  The Nine Mile Store has been a community cornerstone for 120 years, 
going back to the day it was opened by Ed Tormey in 1906 to support the 
construction of the adjacent Nine Mile Dam.

[[Page H3780]]

  A few years after its start, the automobile began to slowly replace 
the horse and buggy, and a hand-cranked gas pump was installed to meet 
customer needs. Mr. Tormey ran the store for over 30 years before it 
was purchased by Stephen and Mildred Casadoro, who operated it for 
nearly 40 years. It would change hands several more times, and now is 
being operated by Steve and Corrine Rogers who continue its tradition 
of excellent service to our community.
  I am proud to represent its current owners and all of their customers 
here in Congress. All of the Spokane County area in eastern Washington 
know of the outstanding nature of the Nine Mile Store, and now so do 
all of Congress and a grateful American people.

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