[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 15855-15856]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             TRIBUTE TO KEN WRINKLE OF HERNANDO COUNTY, FL

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GINNY BROWN-WAITE

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 25, 2006

  Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor 
a distinguished veteran and true friend to the men and women who served 
in our armed forces. Ken Wrinkle, a man who I have known and worked 
with for many years, passed away just last week. Beloved by those whose 
lives he touched, Ken's memory will live on with the veterans of 
Hernando County, FL.
  Born in Pontiac, MI, in 1950, Ken and his family moved to Miami, FL, 
in 1952. Following his high school graduation and time spent in 
college, Ken enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1969.
  A Vietnam combat veteran, Ken was awarded the Purple Heart and the 
Combat Action Ribbon for wounds received in battle. Evacuated to the 
United States, Ken recovered from his injuries and received a medical 
discharge from the U.S. Marine Corps.
  Continuing his studies at Michigan State University, Ken graduated 
from college in 1974. While in pursuit of his degree, Ken met and 
married his wife Linda. Following graduation, Ken volunteered to re-
enter the U.S. Marines Corps through the Officer Candidate Program and 
was commissioned an Infantry Lieutenant. Ken went on to successfully 
complete 20 years of service, retiring as a Major on January 1, 1993.
  Eventually settling with his family in Spring Hill, FL, in May 1993, 
Ken, a disabled veteran, was named the Hernando County Veterans 
Services Officer and Director. Following 12 years of distinguished 
service to the veteran community, illness forced him to retire in July 
2005.
  As Director of Veterans' Services, Ken was able to accomplish several 
of his goals for the region, including starting a network to provide 
transportation for veterans to the Tampa VA hospital. He also supported 
the VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic in Brooksville, a facility 
that today serves over 23,000 veterans annually.
  Ken is survived by his wife of 33 years, Linda, a teacher at Powell 
Middle School, and his son, John, a U.S. Air Force veteran currently 
attending college.

[[Page 15856]]

  Mr. Speaker, the volunteer spirit of men like Ken Wrinkle shines 
through in the legacy he has left behind in Hernando County. 
Unfortunately, one less star will be shining in our local veteran 
community. From now on, area veterans must look up to the heavens to 
see Ken's light shining down on them from above. I speak for many when 
I say that Ken Wrinkle will be sorely missed.

                          ____________________