[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 20]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 26785]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING WILLIAM W. CHAPMAN II UPON BEING NAMED AN HONORARY GRAND 
                                MARSHAL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOE COURTNEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 4, 2009

  Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor retired National 
Guard Command Sergeant Major William W. Chapman II of Willington, 
Connecticut. I rise to recognize his being named an Honorary Grand 
Marshal, one of the most prestigious salutes to a veteran in the United 
States.
  Sergeant Major Chapman has served over 35 years in the Marine Corps, 
Army Reserve, and Connecticut Army National Guard. He joined the 
military at age 17 because he felt the need to serve his country. 
During the Vietnam War, Chapman served as a Marine in Japan, the 
Philippines, and Taiwan. He was deployed after 9/11 as part of 
Operation Noble Eagle and Operation Iraqi Freedom serving for some of 
this time in Tikrit, Iraq. He recently retired from the Connecticut 
Army National Guard, and is the recipient of a Bronze Star, Purple 
Heart, Army Meritorious Service Medal, and three Army Commendation 
Medals. He was named Connecticut Army National Guard Honor Soldier of 
the year in May 2008. Chapman is a former Captain and trainer with the 
Connecticut Department of Correction, DOC, having retired after two 
decades of civilian service in 2002. He is also a member of the DOC 
Military Peer Support Program, which assists employees and their 
families during deployments.
  Chapman will be featured in the 10th annual Connecticut Veterans Day 
Parade in Hartford on November 8. Over 4,000 people will march that 
afternoon near the Connecticut State Capitol to honor our nation's 
servicemen and women.
  Chapman's dedication and sacrifices as a U.S. soldier and public 
servant will be remembered for years to come. I ask all of my 
colleagues to join with me, and the people of Connecticut in thanking 
Sergeant Major Chapman for his distinguished service to our country and 
wishing him the best in his new endeavors.

                          ____________________