Tony Thurmond: “Today, June 14, is the 221st birthday of the U.S. Army, a military force that has distinguished itself repeatedly…”

“Today, June 14, is the 221st birthday of the U.S. Army, a military force that has distinguished itself repeatedly throughout the history of this great Nation. Victories in battles from our War for Independence to the Persian Gulf war were successful only because of the stellar soldiers that serve selflessly and bravely in the Army of the United States. I rise today to pay tribute to a man who is a fine soldier and a friend to many of us in this Chamber, Lt. Col. William B. Loper, as he prepares to bring his active duty career to an end. Colonel Loper began his career more than 24 years ago when he pinned on the gold bars of a second lieutenant and the crossed muskets of the infantry. A product of Washington, DC's Georgetown University and the Reserve Officer Training Corps, Bill Loper was well educated, prepared, and trained for his ensuing career as an Army officer. His tours of duty included stints as an adjutant and Chief of Records for the 25th Infantry Division; as a personnel adviser in Pennsylvania; as the Secretary of the General Staff for the 19th Support Command, located in Korea; and ultimately, back to the District of Columbia where he was an assignments officer at the Army Personnel Center, and executive officer in the Army Legislative Liaison Office, where most of us have come to know him.”