[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 16438-16439]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING BENAVIDEZ-PATTERSON ``ALL AIRBORNE'' CHAPTER, 82ND AIRBORNE 
                          DIVISION ASSOCIATION

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BETO O'ROURKE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 29, 2013

  Mr. O'ROURKE. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize the Benavidez-
Patterson ``All Airborne'' Chapter of the 82nd Airborne Division, a 
distinguished Veterans Service Organizational in El Paso, Texas.
  The Benavidez-Patterson ``All-Airborne'' Chapter is comprised of 
current and former military paratroopers. The unit develops new 
relationships and cultivates existing bonds among those who have served 
in the Airborne; honors the memory of troopers who died in service; and 
informs its members of legislative changes and policy ideas relevant to 
veterans.
  With 250 members, the Benavidez-Patterson Chapter is the largest 
``All-Airborne'' chapter in Texas and has included representation from 
virtually every Airborne unit since World War II. It is comprised of 
national heroes. Members have included veteran paratroopers who had 
combat assignments in Africa, Sicily, Italy, France, The Netherlands, 
Belgium, Germany, Korea, the Dominican Republic, Vietnam, Grenada, 
Panama, Iraq and Afghanistan, along with others currently deployed in 
the Middle East. Members have included one of the original Darby's 
Rangers and a Pathfinder

[[Page 16439]]

on D-Day. Others were involved in ``Operation: Overlord'' into 
Normandy, France, on D-Day; ``Operation: Market Garden'' in Holland; 
and the ``Battle of the Bulge.''
  Chartered in August 1985, the Benavidez-Patterson ``All-Airborne'' 
Chapter is named in honor of the late MSG Roy P. Benavidez and CSM 
Robert Patterson (Ret.), both recipients of the Medal of Honor. The 
Chapter was further honored through the membership of Medal of Honor 
recipients COL. Joseph Rodriguez (Deceased) of El Paso and LTC (Ret.) 
Alfred Rascon. Other distinguished members have included MG Howard 
Bromberg; BG Shuffer, a statesman, author and paratrooper; in addition 
to LTG Lionetti, MG Lennox, MG Cravens, MG Infante, MG Little, MG 
Oblinger and MG Michael G. Vane.
  I thank the Benavidez-Patterson ``All-Airborne'' Chapter for their 
commitment to honoring our veterans and for helping to strengthen the 
bonds among service members and veterans in the El Paso community.

                          ____________________