Richard Burr: “I wish to pay tribute to Richard Francis Cline, a member of ``The Greatest Generation.'' Mr. Cline, who passed away last…”

“I wish to pay tribute to Richard Francis Cline, a member of ``The Greatest Generation.'' Mr. Cline, who passed away last September at the age of 89, will be honored today by interment at Arlington National Cemetery. Mr. Cline was a dedicated father and patriot who, like so many of his generation, left friends, family, and the comfort of home to take up arms in defense of his Nation. A native of Chicago, and North Carolinian later in his life, Mr. Cline and his eight siblings knew hardship early in life, coming of age during the Great Depression. To help support his family he worked at several jobs as a boy and as a young man. He began working by selling popcorn at Wrigley Stadium at the age of 9 and learned, out of necessity, the merit of a strong work ethic that would follow him for the rest of his life. After graduating from high school, he joined the U.S. Army at the age of 18. He served his country in General Patton's famous 3rd Army Corps, where he was a member of the 15th Medical Supply Division that operated in England as well as France and Belgium during the Battle of the Bulge. He witnessed the horrors of war and served his country to provide not only for his family, but also for the freedom of all Americans. While stationed in a small town in Belgium, he met his future wife, Jeanine. She returned with him to America and they continued their lives together following the war.…”