Advocate of the Year

Floor Speech

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Mr. MILLER of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Brunswick, Ohio, resident Isabella Heinbaugh-McCroskey.

In 2016, Isabella began placing wreaths at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery.

In 2019, having noticed that local veterans were not being recognized properly, Isabella walked the West View Cemetery grounds, at which point she located 185 unmarked veteran graves. Isabella then solicited donations and gathered volunteers to place the wreaths on the graves of each veteran.

To educate the public, Isabella coordinated a Wreaths Across America mobile trailer visit where the public learned more about the program. She welcomed home and honored more than 25 Vietnam veterans at this event.

Now, as just a freshman in high school, Isabella continues to work with Brunswick VFW to coordinate flag retirements and Veterans Day ceremonies, and she is a clear example of how women lead us.

We thank Isabella for her incredible devotion to our veterans and congratulate her on being recognized as the 2023 Medina County Veteran Advocate of the Year.

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