[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 6857]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




         HONORING THE LIFE OF ACADIANA VETERAN LESTER J. GUIDRY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHRISTOPHER JOHN

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 19, 2003

  Mr. JOHN. Mr. Speaker, our community lost a dedicated servant on 
February 20, 2003. Lester J. Guidry, Commander of American Legion Post 
69, lost his battle with cancer. Mr. Guidry was a tireless advocate for 
Acadiana's Veterans, often serving as their voice in the community.
  Mr. Guidry was a veteran of the Korean War, serving with the 25th 
Infantry Division, 35th Regiment, 1st Battalion, Able Company. He was 
awarded the Purple Heart for wounds he sustained in battle in 1951. 
Back on the home front, Mr. Guidry became a mountaineering instructor 
with the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. For 25 years, he 
taught our young cadets the specifics of winter survival, 
mountaineering safety and awareness.
  Upon his return home to Acadiana, Mr. Guidry became a project 
coordinator working on behalf of Korean War Veterans. He was tireless 
in his efforts to help these veterans secure the service medals and 
accolades they were due.
  I knew Lester Guidry well. He constantly interacted with my office on 
behalf of our local veterans, insuring that cases were tended to and 
information was located. In 2002, he visited with me in Washington, DC 
during his trip to retrieve pieces of the damaged Pentagon for display 
at memorials across Acadiana.
  Mr. Guidry's passion for life and service was both inspirational and 
contagious. He was persistent in his task, making service to our local 
veterans and their memory his mission in life. I believe he 
accomplished his mission.
  He fought for the ideals he believed in until his final days. He 
labored to remind of us that ``freedom is never free,'' and that 
service to country should be recognized and never forgotten. He was an 
example of patriotism for our community, he touched countless lives in 
our area and across the country, and he will be sorely missed.

                          ____________________