4430 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS, Vol. 154, Pt. 3 March 14, 2008 surgeon, Dr. Friese served in operations valuable, and we better be willing to fight HONORING THE 100TH ANNIVER- around the world, including Operation for it. Charles and many other men were able SARY OF THE ELKINS-RANDOLPH Southern Watch in 1998. One of Dr. Friese’s and willing to fight for our protection and I COUNTY YMCA most memorable experiences was the oppor- value the courage it took to do so. I can only tunity to travel. His assignments included a hope that the future generations, no matter position at a naval hospital in Japan and how anti-war they might be, will be willing HON. SHELLEY MOORE CAPITO stations in the Middle East, California, OF WEST VIRGINIA to fight for our freedoms and protect this Dubai, and United Arab Emirates. Dr. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Friese’s service ended in July 2001, and since beautiful country.—Erin McGranahan then, he has become an assistant professor at Antonio Molina served in the United Friday, March 14, 2008 the University of Texas Southwestern Med- States Navy during the Vietnam conflict in Mrs. CAPITO. Madam Speaker, I rise today ical Center at Dallas. As a surgeon and re- 1972. After growing up in southern Cali- to honor the 100th anniversary of the Elkins- searcher in trauma and critical care, Dr. fornia, he enlisted himself in the Navy at the Friese has published several papers. His re- Randolph County YMCA located in West Vir- age of seventeen as a seaman recruit (E–1) search on disruptions in Intensive Care Unit ginia’s Second Congressional District. patients’ sleep was featured in the December and left as a Commander (O–5E). He helped For the past century, the Elkins YMCA has 2007 issue of the Journal of Trauma: Injury, with the evacuation and dismemberment of played an integral role in the history of the Infection and Critical Care. Grateful of the military bases during the withdrawal of community and its people. The YMCA building opportunity to serve his country, Dr. Friese troops from the region. In addition, he was originally built with $25,000 donated by would recommend his experience in the Navy helped to clean up many of the mines and Mrs. Hallie Davis Elkins, the wife of a promi- to young Americans. After interviewing him, other weapons left by troops as they were nent West Virginia capitalist, Stephen B. Elk- I gained a greater appreciation and under- withdrawing. After leaving the service, he standing of the many sacrifices of our sol- ins. During the outbreak of World War I and eventually joined a local reserve unit where World War II, local troops were reviewed for diers.—Amanda Lu he attended flight and officer school. He now Many citizens have carried a passionate mobilization in front of the YMCA. The Y build- works in Hollywood using his military and gratitude towards the United States govern- ing was also used as a training facility for the ment and have risked their lives in order to technical experience to create films and National Guard between World War I and better our nation. Eugene N. Close is a spends time stressing the importance of vet- World War II. proud, decorated veteran of the Vietnam erans’ issues including the existence of post- Throughout its many renovations over the War. He served as a team leader in Company traumatic stress disorder among the return- next 50 years, the original structure still stands C, 1st Battalion (Airmobile), 327th Infantry, ing troops. This experience stressed the im- in place to serve the youth, families, and sen- in Thua Thien Province in Vietnam. The war portance of realizing the impact combat sit- ior citizens as the county’s premier recreation caused much turmoil and many people dis- uations have on the young minds of our men and community center. The Elkins YMCA has approved of it and did not support it. What and women who are fighting in conflicts the proud distinction of being one of three happened there to Mr. Close has marked him worldwide from Vietnam veterans to current for life as it has too many other people. On YMCA facilities to serve a city with a popu- Gulf War veterans. We owe it to them to help April 21, 1970, Mr. Close’s platoon came under them readjust to life back in the United lation under 10,000. a ‘‘sudden small arms fire’’ from four enemy On March 22, 2008 friends and members of soldiers. He was stuck by an enemy round States just as we help them to adjust to life in conflict.—Laura Rector the Elkins-Randolph County YMCA will cele- but regardless of his wound, Sergeant Close brate its 100th anniversary and name its new- continued to fire and saved the rest of his In hearing a veteran’s story, we become squad. It is this act of heroism that makes est addition, the Legg Family Youth Center. more appreciative of the freedoms soldiers I would like to recognize all of those who America what it is today, to sacrifice their fight to protect every day. I had the privi- lives for not only our freedom, but also for were a part of the Elkins-Randolph County lege of hearing the story of Specialist 4th our pride, dignity and honor. After con- YMCA 100 year history and wish the members versing with Mr. Close, I have learned the Class Gary Herrin of the 101st Airborne, and friends of the Elkins-Randolph County sacrifices people make for their country on a 326th Battalion of the United States Army. YMCA congratulations in celebrating its 100th Herrin was born and raised in Amarillo, daily basis and how we must not take this anniversary. for granted. Veterans Day now has a larger Texas and was drafted into the Army in 1968 meaning to me and I admire the soldiers that to fight in Vietnam. He fought in the Battle f are willing to risk their lives for us. The of Hamburger Hill, placing C4 and grenades RECOGNIZING MS. LAURA-LYNN very least we can do is to give them our in the North Vietnamese bunkers as the in- VIEGAS DACANAY AS THE 2008 gratitude, hearts and minds for simply a day. fantry charged up the hill to clear the way FINANCIAL SERVICES CHAMPION Samaritans such as Eugene M. Close have for his battalion which followed behind. Spe- risked and given far beyond anything we can OF THE YEAR FOR GUAM cialist Herrin was also involved in numerous wish to do ourselves.—Sibel Kayaalp Charles B. Unger was born in Illinois to reconnaissance missions to scout out sites HON. MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO Robert Williams and Ida Mae Unger and grew for potential firing bases. If a site was cho- OF GUAM up with two brothers and a sister. At the age sen, Herrin and his unit would clear the plot of 23, he was drafted into the Vietnam War. and construct bunkers. On one particular re- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Although his family was uneasy about the connaissance mission, Herrin was knocked Friday, March 14, 2008 draft, they supported him. First, he attended off his feet by the concussion of a rocket-pro- Ms. BORDALLO. Madam Speaker, I rise Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri for basic pelled grenade and he sustained a bullet today to recognize and congratulate Ms. boot camp and training. The hardest thing wound in the leg as Viet Cong trackers about this time was that he was ripped away opened fire on his unit. Ironically, Specialist Laura-Lynn Viegas Dacanay on being named from his daily life, and thrown into a life of Herrin believes to this day that had the RPG the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 2008 rules, schedules, and tough workouts. But he Financial Services Champion of the Year for also trained with helicopters in Ft. Virginia, not knocked him off his feet, he would have been a standing target for the V.C. bullets Guam. which led him to working at the helicopter Laura is a leader in the financial services in- bases while stationed in Vietnam. From Jan- and probably would have been killed. Spe- uary of 1970 to December of 1970, he worked cialist Herrin’s story brought me to realize dustry of the region and is a committed mem- 13 hour days, 7 days a week, taking soldiers that there are people we encounter every day ber of our island community. She has a re- out, flying them in, and doing aircraft main- with a story of heroic service to tell. They warding career in the banking profession dat- tenance. are seemingly ordinary people that have ing back to the 1970s, when she began with While most of it was sheer boredom, there done the extraordinary by sacrificing their an entry level position at Chase Manhattan were also times with unexpected terror. time and possibly their lives to ensure that Bank as a telephone switchboard and telex There was always the threat that his base at their fellow Americans and others around operator and cashier. In 1984, she became a Camp Evans could be attacked. Thankfully loan officer and later was promoted to loan it wasn’t, and he was able to return home 2 the world are safe and free. We owe these he- days before Christmas in 1970. He still carries roes a debt of gratitude and I hope that one manager. In 1986, she joined the First Hawai- the values and lessons he learned during the day I too can serve my country in an honor- ian Bank as an assistant branch manager.