Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I rise to commemorate the life of Sergeant First Class Donald Keith Strickland, who recently passed away. Donald's favorite quote was: ``My proudest accomplishment was defending our great Nation.'' Sergeant First Class Donald Keith Strickland was born on May 31, 1934, to George and Ruth Strickland in Richmond, Indiana. The Stricklands moved out to California for a better life, as many did back in those days. Young Donald grew up in the San Fernando Valley and had many different jobs, from working at his family's grocery store to doing a paper route on his horse called Star Baby. While attending high school, Donald had a call to duty and joined the Navy on his 17th birthday. Donald's father had to sign papers in order to release him to enlist for the Korean war. While in Korea, he served on the famed aircraft carriers USS Yorktown and USS Hornet. After the Korean war and 3 years in the Navy, Donald decided to join the Army, where he spent the next 18 years of his life. Donald did his basic training at Fort Bragg. During Donald's first jump after training, his parachute did not open until he almost hit the ground. As he tells the story: ``I was the last one out of the plane and the first one down.'' During Donald's time in the Army, he was stationed in West Germany, where he met the love of his life, Antonie, and they have been married for over 60 years.…”