[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 9481]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




HONORING THE SEVEN GOLD STAR MEMBERS OF THE WELSH BETHEL BAPTIST CHURCH 
     WHO SACRIFICED THEIR LIVES DURING WORLD WAR I AND WORLD WAR II

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. PAUL E. KANJORSKI

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 26, 2010

  Mr. KANJORSKI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask you and my esteemed 
colleagues in the House of Representatives to pay tribute to the seven 
Gold Star Members of the Welsh Bethel Baptist Church in Wilkes-Barre, 
Pennsylvania.
  The Welsh Bethel Baptist Church was founded in 1884.
  During the 1940s, the Church established an Honor Roll of all of the 
members of the Church who served during World War II. In total, 111 
members of the Church served in World War II, including 110 men and 1 
woman.
  The Church would honor those who were killed in action during the War 
by placing a gold star next to their name on the Honor Roll. Six 
members of the Church were killed in action during World War II and 
received this honor.
  About ten years ago, the Church recognized its only member to be 
killed in action during World War I by adding his name to the Honor 
Roll along with a gold star.
  Every year on Memorial Day, the Church holds a ceremony to honor its 
seven Gold Star Members.
  On Sunday, May 30, 2010 the Church will pay tribute to the seven Gold 
Star Members of the Church by dedicating a memorial stone in front of 
the church in their honor.
  The seven Gold Star Members, and Wilkes-Barre natives, being honored 
are:
  Private William Robbins who was killed in Germany in World War I. He 
was only sixteen years old.
  Private First Class Charles Grosspietsch who was killed in Luzon in 
the Philippines during World War II. He was 20 years old.
  Corporal Kenneth Hobbs who was killed in Whelan, Germany during World 
War II. He was 28 years old.
  Private First Class Robert Hummel who was killed in Germany during 
World War II. He was 21 years old.
  Private William Parry, Jr. who died at Normandy during World War II. 
He was 24 years old.
  Private William L. Richards who was killed in Anzio, Italy during 
World War II. He was 22 years old.
  Staff Sergeant Thomas D. Williams who was killed in Russeisheim, 
Germany during World War II. He was 24 years old.
  The memorial stone will be unveiled by Jack Johnson, the last 
surviving World War II veteran of the Church.
  Madam Speaker, please join me in honoring these brave men who gave 
their lives protecting our country. This stone will serve as a reminder 
for future generations of the ultimate sacrifice made by these seven 
men who came before them.

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