[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 10632]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING THOMAS GLENDON STAFFORD

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JASON SMITH

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 25, 2015

  Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor lifelong 
Missourian Thomas Glendon Stafford from Cape Girardeau on his 100th 
birthday.
  Mr. Stafford was born on June 28, 1915 in Zadock, Missouri. After 
sixth grade, Mr. Stafford went to work for his father who was a farmer. 
He lived on the family farm until he met his wife Bernice at her church 
in Vanduser, Missouri. He asked for her hand in marriage at the age of 
19. In 1942, the couple moved to Cape Girardeau where he has made a 
home for 68 years and began working for Commercial Transport as a truck 
driver.
  On March 14, 1945, Mr. Stafford was drafted into the U.S. Army during 
World War II. After 19 weeks of training at Fort Hood, he was sent 
across the Pacific to the Philippines before eventually being 
transferred to Tokyo, Japan. He spent a year in Tokyo at the personnel 
office driving soldiers. Mr. Stafford was honorably discharged on May 
18, 1946, and was awarded the Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon, the World 
War II Victory Medal, and a Good Conduct Medal for his dedication and 
service.
  After his daughters left home, he and his wife lived a quiet life 
until Bernice passed away at the age of 91 on November 6th, 2004. He 
has seven grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren, and three great-
great-grandchildren and now lives at the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape 
Girardeau.
  For his service to our nation, and all that he has accomplished over 
the last century, it is my pleasure to honor Mr. Stafford before the 
United States House of Representatives on his 100th birthday.

                          ____________________