HONORING THE VIETNAM AND KOREAN WAR VETERANS OF ILLINOIS

On 2026-06-24, Representative Mike Quigley (D-IL-5) delivered a floor speech titled "HONORING THE VIETNAM AND KOREAN WAR VETERANS OF ILLINOIS" in the House.

HONORING THE VIETNAM AND KOREAN WAR VETERANS OF ILLINOIS

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 106 (Wednesday, June 24, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 106 (Wednesday, June 24, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E614] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING THE VIETNAM AND KOREAN WAR VETERANS OF ILLINOIS ______ HON. MIKE QUIGLEY of illinois in the house of representatives Wednesday, June 24, 2026 Mr. QUIGLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the Vietnam and Korean War veterans who are traveling to Washington, D.C. on June 24, 2026, with Honor Flight Chicago, a program that provides WWII, Vietnam, and Korean War veterans the opportunity to visit their memorials on The National Mall in Washington, D.C. These memorials were built to honor their courage and service to their country. The American Veteran is one of our greatest treasures. The Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen who travel here on June 24, 2026, answered our Nation's call to service during one of its greatest times of need. From the Pacific Asian Theatre to the Korean Theater, these brave Americans risked life and limb, gave service, and sacrificed much, all while embodying what it is to be a hero. We owe them more gratitude than can ever be expressed. I welcome these brave veterans to Washington and to their memorials. I include in the Record the names of these men and women for all to see, hear, and recognize, and I call on my colleagues to rise and join me in expressing gratitude: Jerry W. Anderson, Leon E. Ausec, Marlowe Bacon, James E. Baker, Jr., John Balkema, Arthur T. Baltazar, Lawrence K. Barber, Donald Barnacle, James Barnacle, Joseph J. Barrett. Robert T. Barrett, Anthony Barrios, Walter Beckman, Sherlen Bell, Stephen D. Bennett, Thomas Bergthold, Ronald R. Bielke, Wayne R. Biasen, Gary F. Bliss, Rockne Bork, Stephan M. Brennan, Michael R. Brittain, Roy D. Brown, Michael J. Bunton, Thomas P. Bunton, Phillip Buoscio, Gary W. Butler, James S. Butridge, Daniel Buzinski, Bruce D. Callen, Robert Capuani, Donald L. Carroll, Victor Chacon, Jr., Richard D. Clayton, John W. Cliffe, William Collins, William H. Crotty, Walter F. Cudecki, Henry L. Dean, Merle J. Denker, James J. Dennis, Jr., William T. Diaz, Michael O. Downing, Willie Ellis, Jr., George Engelthaler, John Evans, Philip M. Foss, Ernesto Garcia, Vanessa Gibbs, Robert W. Glines, Thomas C. Greenan, Richard Grenda, Dennis Habbley, Albert R. Harris, Claude C, Harris, David W. Heath, Terry D. Henderson, Robert J. Hluchy, David L. Hoffman, Herbert E. Hogberg, Jr., Richard G. Howard, Joseph E. Idaszak, Julius H. Igyarto, Jeffery A. Jordan, Dennis C. Kane, Michael R. Kearney, Donald T. Keegan, Lowell E. Killion, Francis M. Kirkpatrick, Dale L. Klinefelter, Charles H. Kock, John Kranz, Anthony W. Kubon, Russell Leaich, Charles L. Lenzini, Richard Lisy, Kalman J. Mager, Richard Malvestuto, Charles L. Meyer, David Miller, Rex A. Miller, David E. Mills, Virgil M. Mitchell, Richard Mix, Jr., Andrew Nixon, Jr., Dennis J. Nowicki, Cesar A. Pantoja, John P. Parrish, John J. Pawelski, Lawrence A. Pebelske, Frederick T. Pennix, Jr., Edward J. Piane, Mitchell S. Pierce, Robert Pruter, John M. Puskar, Gene Sbalchiero, Joseph C. Schmidt, Vivin F. Schultz, George W. Smuckel, Robert Tamillo, John D. Totemeier, John W. Tracy, Sidney M. Victor, John C. Volkmann, Marjorie R. Walton, James T. Watts, Paul White, Warren W. Wiggenhauser, Michael C. Williams, Eugene W. Wright, John E. Yaun, John O. Young, Charles R. Zelinski, and Francis L. Zmuda. ____________________