Recognizing Mr. Wilmer Loy on His 100th Birthday

Floor Speech

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Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and extend my heartfelt wishes to a dedicated veteran, farmer, and volunteer firefighter on his 100th birthday. Mr. Wilmer Loy, a lifelong resident of Crawford County, turns 100 on August 26, 2024.

Wilmer lived and worked in Crawford County until he was drafted in 1944 to fight in Europe as part of the U.S. Army. He initially trained in Georgia, but he was transferred to Belgium in 1945 where he trained on the 8-inch Howitzer. He participated in combat against Nazi Germany in the Black Forest, the Siegfried Line and the Rhine River. After the end of the war in Europe, Wilmer was transferred to the Pacific Theater where he served until the end of the war. Wilmer was sent home and honorably discharged from the Army after the Japanese surrendered in 1945. He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal; European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with one Bronze Star; and the World War II Victory Medal.

After his discharge from the Army, Wilmer worked at Chatfield Hardware for more than ten years. He went on to work the next forty years at Leonhart Gas and Oil in Tiro. He drove delivery trucks, semi tankers, and heavy equipment for the company while working on his farm outside New Washington, Ohio. Wilmer also served as a volunteer firefighter for the Chatfield Volunteer Fire Department for more than 60 years and was a member of the Tiro Volunteer Fire Department for more than 10 years. For the last seven decades, he has served in several positions with the American Legion Post 405 in New Washington and as a member of the Loyal Order of Moose Lodge 669 in Bucyrus.

Mr. Speaker, I ask our colleagues to join me in paying special tribute to the life and service of Mr. Wilmer Roy. On behalf of the people of the Fifth Congressional District of Ohio, I recognize the devotion and compassion that Wilmer has for his community and our Nation. I wish him all the best on his 100th birthday.

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