John Boozman: “H.R. 1808, a bill to designate the VA Medical Center in Augusta, Georgia, as the ``Charlie Norwood Department of…”

“H.R. 1808, a bill to designate the VA Medical Center in Augusta, Georgia, as the ``Charlie Norwood Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center,'' would honor one of our colleagues who was taken from us all too soon. Charles ``Charlie'' Whitlow Norwood, Jr., was born on July 27, 1941. A Georgia native, Charlie Norwood attended Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, Georgia, and Georgetown University in Washington, and was a dentist prior to serving in the House of Representatives. Charlie Norwood served as a captain in the United States Army from 1967 to 1969, beginning with an assignment in the U.S. Army Dental Corps at Sandia Army Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In 1968, he was transferred to the medical battalion of the 173rd Airborne Brigade in Vietnam, and served a combat tour at Quin Yon, An Khe, and LZ English at Bon Son. During his tour, he participated in experimental military dental practices that are now standard procedure for the Armed Forces. In recognition of his service under combat conditions, Norwood was awarded the Combat Medical Badge and two Bronze Stars. After his discharge in 1969, he remained a member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Military Order of the World Wars until his death. Mr. Speaker, Charlie Norwood served with us as a Member of Congress from January 4, 1995, until his untimely death on February 13, 2007.”