[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 5]
[Senate]
[Page 6259]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO STANLEY J. CHERRY

 Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise today to honor Stanley J. 
Cherry, a World War I veteran and extraordinary citizen of Grand 
Traverse County, Michigan, who was recently awarded France's highest 
tribute, the Legion of Honor.
  A son of Polish immigrants, Stanley Cherry enlisted in the United 
States Army in May 1918, after which time he was sent to England with 
the 330th Second Machine Company Battalion where he was trained to 
operate English Vickers, French Hodgkiss, and American Browning machine 
guns. He began his service in France in October of the same year where 
he remained after the signing of the armistice, assigned to secure 
provisions.
  During his 62 year marriage to his wife Lucille, the couple owned and 
operated a general store in Elmira, Michigan, for over 30 years. In 
addition to running the store they raised two daughters, Joanne Hawly 
and Jeanette Galbraith, who both currently live in Traverse City, 
Michigan.
  In commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the signing of the 
armistice, the French government chose to honor surviving allied war 
veterans who fought in France to help defeat the German Army. A 
representative of the French Consulate General office in Chicago was 
present at the February 19th ceremony to confer upon Mr. Cherry the 
rank of Chevalier of the National Order of the Legion of Honor. 
France's highest honor, the Legion of Honor was founded in 1802 by 
Napoleon as a way of recognizing citizens for their contributions to 
France.
  In addition to the Legion of Honor award, Mr. Cherry was presented a 
certificate of merit voted by the Michigan Legislature and signed by 
Governor Engler.
  Mr. President, Stanley Cherry is an outstanding American citizen. In 
April he will be celebrating his 103rd birthday. I salute him for his 
many remarkable contributions as a veteran and for his commitment to 
his community and family. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring 
him on being conferred the rank of Chevalier of the Legion of 
Honor.

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