[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 15]
[Senate]
[Page 20830]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                        A TRIBUTE TO BOB FERRELL

 Mr. ROCKEFELLER. Mr. President, I would like to take this 
opportunity to recognize a great patriot from my wonderful State of 
West Virginia, Mr. Robert ``Bob'' Ferrell. Bob retired from the U.S. 
Air Force with more than 21 years of active duty service. He bravely 
served his country during the Vietnam conflict on the C-130 Spectre 
Gunship as a gunner and instructor gunner. Over the course of many 
years of service, the Air Force honored Bob with numerous prestigious 
awards, including the coveted Distinguished Flying Cross.
  After completing his tour in Vietnam, Bob returned to his lifelong 
home of Logan County, and began the hard work of a coal miner to 
support his family. Bob was an exemplary citizen and participated in 
many community activities. He was a lifetime member of the American 
Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. After retiring from the mines 
in the mid 1980's, Bob traveled all over our State seeking the 
opportunity to speak to our school children about the importance of 
service to our country and to our state.
  A devoted husband and father, Bob raised four wonderful and 
productive children, two boys and two girls. The example he set for his 
sons resulted in both of them following in his footsteps and enlisting 
in the armed forces. The eldest, Mike, is serving in the 101st Airborne 
division of Fort Campbell, KY, and Steve is a full-time member of the 
West Virginia Army National Guard. His daughters also are respected 
members of their communities. The oldest, LaRue, is a chiropractor, and 
her younger sister, Anitra, is a loving mother and housewife.
  Bob passed away in May of this year, and was buried, so 
appropriately, on the day which commemorates the lives of all those who 
sacrificed so much for our nation, Memorial Day. Mr. President, as you 
know, I am the ranking member of the Senate Committee on Veterans' 
Affairs, and I take great pride in recognizing this wonderful and 
patriotic man from my state of West Virginia. Bob was one of more than 
200,000 veterans from my home State, and represents the millions of 
Americans who served our country with pride and distinction. One of the 
best ways we can honor Bob's memory is to work diligently to ensure 
that the promises made by our government to all veterans are kept.
  I would like to close by saying--thank you, Bob. Your outstanding 
attitude and unselfish lifestyle are an inspiration to the people of 
our State. You attained the goal all men strive for, in that, you left 
the world a better place for all of us.

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