Political Quotes

“Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Billy Brannon Gibson of Huntsville, Alabama, who passed away on 6 October 2020. Bill was born on 1 November 1920 in Blount County, Alabama, to Laura and George W. Gibson. When World War II broke out, Billy wanted nothing more than to wear the Marine uniform and to join the fight against the Axis Powers. It would take Billy two attempts to become a Marine. His first try was in 1941; and at 6 foot 3 inches tall, Billy was deemed too tall for his weight. He tried again about 2 years later, before which he ate a half- dozen bananas and drank a quart of buttermilk in order to gain more weight when he arrived at the recruiting office. He also bent his knees as he was measured for his height, putting him at an even 6 feet. His efforts were successful, and they enlisted him in the Marine Corps at that time. Billy quit his job at the cotton mill, trained on 60-millimeter mortar equipment, and then was qualified as a sharpshooter. He then headed out to the South Pacific. His first stop was Guadalcanal where his military career almost ended when he got hit in the head and shoulder by a military vehicle. His right ear was dangling by a thread, and his shoulder was broken. His superiors wanted to send him home. He begged to go on to fight in Okinawa, but he kept being told he was not fit for combat. They ultimately agreed to let him go fight and fight he did.…”