Troy Downing: “I rise today to honor William ``Bill'' McVeda who this past Valentine's Day celebrated 100 years of a life well lived.…”

“I rise today to honor William ``Bill'' McVeda who this past Valentine's Day celebrated 100 years of a life well lived. Bill McVeda was born in Lewistown, Montana, on the 14th of February, the youngest of three, to a hardworking family in a hardworking community. At the age of 17, Bill enlisted in the United States Navy. He would go on to serve in the Pacific theater, witnessing the historic second flag-raising at Iwo Jima and the surrender of the Japanese. For his service, Bill received the American Theater Campaign Ribbon, the Asiatic Pacific Ribbon with two stars, and the World War II Victory Medal. After the war, Bill married his childhood sweetheart, Janet; raised two children; and built a respected career in human resources management with Lockheed Martin and with Northrop Grumman. Mr. Speaker, Bill McVeda is a great American and a true patriot. The world needs more men like him, not fewer. Mr. Speaker, I thank Bill for his example of service and his commitment to family and community. As a native son of Montana, our State is proud to call him ours and wishes him a happy birthday.”