Honoring U.S. Army Veteran Howard "sam" Waite

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Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor United States Army veteran Howard ``Sam'' Waite. Sam was born on July 2, 1926, in Pontiac, Michigan, and his military service spans three wartime periods and includes some of the most significant contlicts of the twentieth century. Raised in Poultney, Vermont, Sam was drafted in 1944 at the age of 18. He served as a rifleman assigned to Battery C, 658th Field Artillery Battalion, in the European Theater of Operations. Sam was in Germany on Victory in Europe Day, witnessing the surrender of Nazi Germany and the end of World War II in Europe. For his service, Sam earned the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Ribbon. After the war, Sam reenlisted as an automotive repairman and served through the Korean War, ascending through the non-commissioned officer ranks and earning the Korean Service Medal with two Bronze Stars. Following Korea, Sam was stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, before transferring to the Panama Canal Zone, where he provided military assistance and economic aid by training local troops to operate U.S.- provided vehicles. During this assignment, Sam also traveled throughout South America, including visits to Bolivia, Chile, and Uruguay. Sam later served during the Vietnam War, earning the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device. Returning to the United States, he spent two years as an Assistant Professor of Automotive Engineering at the United States Military Academy at West Point before being deployed to Iran during the turmoil of the 1960s. On June 7, 1966, Sam achieved the senior rank in the Army Non-Commissioned Officer Corps, often referred to as the backbone of the Army. In 1968, Sam retired as a highly decorated Sergeant Major after more than 24 years of military service. Following his retirement from the Army, Sam returned home to Granville, New York where he continued serving his community. He operated a Texaco gas station and repair shop for 16 years before spending the next four decades working in automotive air-conditioning repair. Sam ultimately retired at the age of 88. On July 2, 2026, Sam will celebrate his 100th birthday. His century of life has been defined by service, sacrifice, hard work, and devotion to both his country and his community. On behalf of New York's 21st Congressional District, I am honored to recognize Howard ``Sam'' Waite and thank him for his extraordinary service to the United States.

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