[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 163 (2017), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 12744-12745]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




        RECOGNIZING HOWARD & LIBBY HILL, AN AMERICAN LOVE STORY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MATT GAETZ

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, August 18, 2017

  Mr. GAETZ. Mr. Speaker, this is a love story. In 1965 a young man 
from Texas--his name was Howard--graduated from the Air Force Academy. 
While he was in pilot training at Eglin Air Force Base near Niceville, 
Florida, he won the heart of a girl named Elizabeth. And, as happens in 
many love stories, Howard and Libby became Lieutenant and Mrs. Hill on 
August 15, 1967. Fifty years ago.
  Howard said he and Libby had ``fourteen beautiful days together.'' 
And then, called by his country, he was flying combat missions over 
Vietnam. Within two months, his bravery, valor and achievement in 
battle had earned him the first of two Silver Stars he would be 
awarded. But four months and one day after their marriage, Howard was 
shot down and became a prisoner of war in the infamous Hanoi Hilton.
  Lots of marriages have stress. Lots of love stories have drama. But 
the young marriage of Howard and Libby Hill was tested in a way few of 
us will ever experience--by torture and cruelty for Howard, never 
knowing and always fearing the worst for Libby, and by lonely waiting 
for five years for them both. But theirs was a love that only grew 
stronger under pressure--love for each other and love for their 
country. During Howard's time as a POW, Libby even helped other POW 
wives and organized support for POW/MIA families.
  If the World War II generation was the greatest generation, Howard 
and Libby Hill and the Vietnam soldiers and their families were the 
toughest generation. Vietnam veterans were too often unappreciated, 
often shunned, sometimes spat upon by the country they gave themselves 
to defend. But nothing could break Howard and Libby Hill's devotion to 
America and to each other.
  When Howard was free and home, he and Libby made a commitment to stay 
in the Air Force, to continue to serve their country. They stayed in 
uniform for 18 more years. They reared three exceptional children--
their daughter BethAnn and their sons John and David.

[[Page 12745]]

  And when they retired from active service in 1990 after his singular 
service as the Principal Advisor to the Secretary of Defense on POW/MIA 
issues, Howard was a colonel with a chestful of proof that he is one of 
America's best: two Silver Stars, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the 
Legion of Merit, eight Air Medals, two Bronze Stars, two Purple Hearts, 
the Defense Superior Service Medal and many more.
  They came home to my hometown of Niceville, Florida. They served 
their community like they served their country. From nothing, Howard 
started a youth soccer program. Every year he recruits 200 volunteers, 
organizes and manages 100 teams, gives thousands of kids a chance to 
compete and grow, and Howard and Libby make sure that many, many boys 
and girls who have no money, no family support always have uniforms and 
shoes and a ride home. Today, our town calls our youth soccer fields 
``The Hill,'' officially named the Howard Hill Community Soccer Complex 
in honor of a hero of our country and a hero of our community.
  In fourteen years of serving as a county-wide elected member of our 
School Board, never once in any campaign material did Howard Hill ever 
brag about his military service, his and Libby's sacrifices. But we 
knew.
  Libby volunteered to help with everything, including founding and 
leading the Silver Sands Republican Women. When I asked the community 
leaders who had meant the most to me in my growing up to serve on the 
Academy Selection Board to choose the best young women and young men to 
be appointed to our military academies, I chose Libby Hill, a mentor 
and model to a generation of young people.
  Mr. Speaker, I told you this is a love story. Two young people who 
love their country and gave themselves to it for their whole lives. A 
woman and a man who love each other and have given themselves to their 
children and to their community and to each other for fifty years.
  Happy anniversary, Howard and Libby. We love you.

                          ____________________