[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Page 12999]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO JOSEPH CETNAR

 Mr. TESTER. Mr. President, today I honor Joseph Cetnar.
  According to his sister, Joe grew up as ``real New York City street 
kid.'' He was born to Polish-Ukrainian immigrants who wanted to give 
their children the American dream. He had to work for the American 
dream. And he did.
  Joe worked hard his whole life from a very early age, when he sold 
hot dogs on the streets of New York. In 1941, Joe enlisted in the Army 
Air Corps. And he parachuted into France during the invasion of 
Normandy.
  Like many veterans who returned from war, Joe didn't speak much about 
his experience in the European theater.
  His military records were destroyed by a fire in 1973. And in 2009, 
Joe passed away, leaving behind his wife of 65 years.
  Joe Cetnar never received the recognition he deserved. His sister 
Dotty and his niece Aleksy started asking questions about Joe's 
service. And together, we discovered that Joe earned several medals he 
never received.
  Last month I had the honor of presenting to his family Joseph 
Cetnar's American Defense Service Medal, World War Two Victory Medal, 
and Honorable Service Lapel Button.
  These may be small tokens, but they are powerful symbols of true 
heroism, sacrifice, and dedication to service.
  These medals are presented on behalf of a grateful nation.

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