Recognizing Virginia Basler's Service to the United States of America

Floor Speech

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Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Virginia Basler, a resident of Ypsilanti, Michigan on the occasion of her 100th birthday. Her dedication to her country and local community is worthy of commendation.

Virginia was born in Alpena, Michigan on a family farm as the middle of three children. During WWII, while her older brother enlisted in the Air Force, Virginia and a friend moved down to Ypsilanti to work at the Willow Run Bomber Plant. For almost two years, she worked on the production line, drilling rivet holes for B-24 Liberator bombers.

As soon as she met the age requirement, Virginia enlisted in the Coast Guard Women's Reserves (SPARS) in order to serve her country in another way. She attended Boot Camp at Sheepshead Bay, New York where she was trained as a baker, and she was assigned to the Coast Guard Station in Washington, D.C. where she would remain for the duration of the war. After her service was finished, Virginia came back to Ypsilanti where she again worked at the Willow Run Plant, now a Kaiser- Frazer car factory.

In the decades since, Virginia has lived a full life. She married Leonard, a WWII veteran himself, and raised a family of three children. She continued her life of service, cooking for Ypsilanti Public Schools and Eastern Michigan University. Since her retirement in 1990, Virginia has been active in the community, volunteering for Meals on Wheels and the local charity Thrift Shop. She has been very active with the American Rosie the Riveter Association, attending events with other Rosies and WWII vets. We were overjoyed to host Virginia and other Rosies in the Capitol during the Honor Flight event last month.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in celebrating Virginia Basler's tremendous life of service to her community and her nation. No request for help has ever been too big or too small for her to consider. We thank her for her service and wish her the happiest of birthdays.

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