[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 3]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 3576]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 IN HONOR OF COLONEL MERLE PETERSON, US ARMY (RET) AND CAPTAIN DONALD 
   PETERSON, US NAVY (RET) REGARDING THEIR DEDICATION TO OUR SERVICE 
                        ACADEMIES AND OUR NATION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. TIMOTHY J. WALZ

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 13, 2013

  Mr. WALZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Colonel Merle 
Peterson, US Army (Ret) and Captain Donald Peterson, US Navy (Ret) for 
their extraordinary dedication to duty and service to our Nation. These 
gentlemen served long honorable careers in the United States Military. 
Upon retirement, both continued to dedicate their lives to ensuring our 
nation's premier Service Academies attendees included the most talented 
nominees from the First Congressional District of Minnesota.
   Colonel Peterson joined the US Army as an enlisted Soldier in 1948 
and served in the Korean War. When he returned home in 1951, Colonel 
Peterson joined the Army Reserves, serving with the 419th and 407th 
Civil Affairs Companies from 1956 until 1969. Colonel Peterson attended 
Winona State University becoming a schoolteacher. Between St. Charles 
High School and Rochester Kellogg Middle School, Colonel Peterson 
taught for 31 years.
   In 1971, the United States Military Academy selected Colonel 
Peterson as Academy Liaison Officer for Minnesota's First Congressional 
District. For over 41 years, Colonel Peterson worked with five Members 
of Congress of the First Congressional District; assisting over 100 
candidates to attend West Point.
   Captain Peterson joined the US Naval Air Reserve in 1953 as an 
enlisted servicemember. He served in that capacity until 1956 when 
drafted and inducted into the US Army where he spent the next four 
years. In 1959, Captain Peterson rejoined the Naval Air Reserve and had 
over 39 years of total military service until his retirement in 1992.
   Captain Peterson attended the University of Minnesota Institute of 
Technology where he attained a degree in mechanical engineering. He 
purchased his own business, Mississippi Welder Supply Company currently 
located in three states with ten different branches.
   In 1984, the United States Naval Academy selected Captain Peterson 
to be a Blue & Gold Officer. He has represented the Naval Academy in 
Southeastern Minnesota for 29 years. Captain Peterson interviewed 
countless candidates over the years helping many highly qualified 
Midshipmen enter the Naval Academy.
   Mr. Speaker, I seek to recognize the dedication and selfless service 
both Colonel and Captain Peterson provided the United States Military, 
the United States Service Academies, the First Congressional District 
of Minnesota, and our nation. For combined 70 years, Colonel and 
Captain Peterson assessed our best and brightest candidates, enabling 
these young recruits to continue the proud tradition of attending 
United States Service Academies. Both Colonel and Captain Peterson are 
patriotic Americans who deserve this nation's thanks and gratitude.

                          ____________________