[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 5152]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           VETERAN ELBERT WOOD REMINDED OF THE MILITARY BOND

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 12, 2013

  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, WWII veteran Elbert Wood, 93 years 
old, returned home from a doctor visit only to find that his home had 
been broken into and vandalized. A couple of teenagers had nothing 
better to do than to spray paint and burglarize the home that Elbert 
built himself more than 55 years ago. I didn't have the chance to see 
the damage in-person, but from what I saw in videos, everything in his 
home was covered in graffiti, including the walls, windows, the TV, 
even the furniture. Of course, when Elbert saw the damage, devastation 
set in, but not for too long. Soon, Elbert was reminded that in times 
of trouble, he could always count on his family. And by family, I mean 
the ones that share the forever military bond.
   A band of Marines quickly made their way to Elbert's home when they 
heard what had happened. They wanted to let him know that they were 
there for him in times of need. On that day and the days to follow, the 
Marines lent their helping hands and cleaned up the vandalism and made 
necessary repairs. They were determined to recreate the same image that 
Elbert envisioned when he thought of ``home'' before the incident.
   The support Elbert received during that time was not limited to that 
of the Marines. Members of the community stepped up to help him, too. 
One furniture store even donated a new living room set. This is what I 
call a tight community. As for the suspects, they were caught red-
handed, literally, just down the street from Elbert's home. Two 
teenagers were caught with red paint residue all over their hands and 
with stolen items from Elbert's home. I hope they have a lot of time to 
think about their crime in the do-right hotel.
   Battlegrounds aren't the only places Marines or members of the 
military look out for each other, Mr. Speaker. The brotherhood and 
sisterhood of the military extends beyond the battlegrounds and into 
everyday life. Today, I would like to recognize these fellow Marines 
that so generously helped their brother out in a time of trouble. 
America is a better and safer place because of people like them, 
including Elbert.
   And that's just the way it is.

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