[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 20]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 26791]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING GERALD RICHARDSON, OGEMAW COUNTY VETERAN OF THE YEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BART STUPAK

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 4, 2009

  Mr. STUPAK. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor a constituent who has 
distinguished himself both in service to his country and to his 
community. Mr. Gerald Richardson has been named ``Ogemaw County Veteran 
of the Year'' by the Ogemaw County Veterans Alliance. It is an honor 
befitting the dedication and patriotism Mr. Richardson has demonstrated 
both in the U.S. Navy and in civilian life.
  Mr. Richardson was born January 4, 1930 in Centerline, Michigan to 
Carl and Pauline Richardson. Upon graduation from Hazel Park High 
School, Mr. Richardson went to work for Chrysler Corporation as an 
automatic screw machinist operator.
  In January of 1951 Mr. Richardson went to serve his country, 
enlisting in the U.S. Navy. He attended basic training at Great Lakes 
Naval Training Center in Illinois and was assigned to Little Creek 
Naval Air Station in Virginia. After one month in Virginia, Mr. 
Richardson received his assignment to the USS Casa Grande LSD where he 
performed duties as a machinist mate, second class.
  While onboard the USS Casa Grande LSD Mr. Richardson served in many 
missions and exercises, including supply missions to Newfoundland and 
Greenland. He and his crewmates also performed amphibious training in 
various locations. In December 1954 Mr. Richardson received an 
honorable discharge and returned to Michigan.
  Upon discharge from the U.S. Navy, Mr. Richardson went back to 
working for Chrysler, where he remained employed until 1979 when he 
retired. After retiring, he moved to West Branch, Michigan where he 
resides today.
  Mr. Richardson has continued to be involved in numerous civic 
activities of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3775, and previously 
served as the post's commander. It is for his involvement in the 
community that Mr. Richardson has been bestowed with this award--the 
highest honor the Ogemaw County Veterans Alliance can bestow upon a 
fellow veteran.
  Gerald Richardson is a man who understands commitment and exemplifies 
the values of service and responsibility toward others. He stands as an 
example of what it means to be a true American hero, embodying traits 
of honor, courage and humility.
  Madam Speaker, Gerald Richardson has served his country with bravery 
and dignity, and has continued to draw on these traits in service to 
Ogemaw County. He is an individual who has been recognized by his 
community and his fellow veterans as a leader and a model citizen. With 
that in mind Madam Speaker, I ask that you, and all of my colleagues in 
the U.S. House of Representatives, join me in saluting Gerald 
Richardson for his lifetime of service and in congratulating him on 
being awarded Ogemaw County Veteran of the Year.

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