In Honor of Thomas Reed Haun

Floor Speech

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Mr. BARR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of a special man, Mr. Thomas Reed Haun. Mr. Haun is part of a special group of heroes that served our nation during World War II. He passed away on November 14, 2020.

Mr. Haun was born on July 27, 1924. He grew up in Sweetwater, Tennessee, where he lived until moving to Nicholasville, Kentucky for his final years. On August 3, 1943, he entered service in the United States Army. He served in the United States Army's 34th Division, 168th Infantry Regiment, under the command of Lt. Gen. Mark W. Clark. Mr. Haun earned the rank of Staff Sergeant and served in the European- African-Middle Eastern Theater. He was wounded in the Po Valley in northern Italy on September 29, 1944. He was shot 9 times, from shoulder to ankle. Mr. Haun was hospitalized for a year, first in Italy, then transported on a hospital ship to New York and then Florida. He was given an experimental drug called penicillin. Mr. Haun was honorably discharged on July 2, 1945. For his brave service to our country, he was awarded the Purple Heart, the Silver Star, and the Bronze Star.

Upon returning from military service, Mr. Haun married Betty Ruth Ramey on October 6, 1946. They were married for 67 years. He worked as a manager at Sweetwater Hosiery Mill and then as a Deputy Clerk in the General Sessions Court. He served the people of Sweetwater and Monroe County on the City Commission, as a Trustee for 32 years, and as Fire Department Commissioner. He was a lifelong member of First Baptist Church. Mr. Haun was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great- grandfather.

Mr. Haun and his fellow veterans are true heroes. As members of the ``Greatest Generation'', they willingly served and sacrificed to protect and defend the freedoms that we enjoy today. I am humbled to honor the service of Mr. Thomas Reed Haun before the United States Congress.

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