[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 14260]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




      RECOGNITION OF LA CHATELAINE'S VETERAN'S DAY SALUTE ON D-DAY

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                          HON. MARY JO KILROY

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, June 8, 2009

  Ms. KILROY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Stan and Gigi 
Wielezynski on the 65th anniversary of D-Day. Stan, a native of 
Normandy, France, and his wife Gigi have never forgotten the courage 
and sacrifice of the Americans who liberated France from Nazi 
occupation during World War II. They are the owners of several Columbus 
area restaurants named La Chatelaine. For fifteen years, in order to 
express their gratitude and to recognize the U.S. Allied Forces 
involved in the invasion on the shores of Normandy, Stan and Gigi 
Wielezynski have opened their doors to World War II veterans and 
offered them a complimentary French meal.
  The Wielezynskis take great pride in this event by having their 
employees come to work dressed in military apparel, carrying authentic 
World War II helmets, and celebrating with flag-shaped cakes and music 
of the 1940s. Additionally, they decorate the restaurant with jeeps, 
parachutes, and other World War II memorabilia.
  Recently, the couple received a letter from Marion Gray, an 83-year-
old veteran from the 29th Infantry, stating that his one dream was to 
say a final goodbye to the friends he lost in Normandy. Marion had been 
working as a bagger at the local store to save money for his trip. 
However, upon receipt of the letter, the Wielezynskis generously 
donated an entire weeklong all-expense paid trip to Normandy for Marion 
and his wife Ruth.
  Madam Speaker, on this 65th anniversary of D-Day, I would like to 
commend Stan and Gigi Wielezynski for their enormous generosity to the 
Grays as well as the hundreds of other World War II veterans and for 
their love of their adopted country.

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