Leonard G. ``bud'' Lomell Va Clinic
Floor Speech
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2170 to name the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Toms River, New Jersey, after Leonard G. ``Bud'' Lomell.
Mr. Lomell was born in Brooklyn, New York, but soon relocated with his family to Point Pleasant, where he went on to attend Wesleyan College on a full scholarship and quickly volunteered as an Army Ranger after World War II broke out.
Mr. Lomell and his platoon received a pivotal assignment on D-day that would change the course of the war forever. He and his fellow Rangers would scale 100-foot cliffs on ropes and find and destroy German artillery that posed a huge danger to the Allied troops landing on the beach below.
Undaunted by the impossibility of this task, Mr. Lomell and his platoon undertook their task. Despite being shot in the side and nearly drowning the moment he stepped off his landing craft, Mr. Lomell continued onward and successfully scaled the wall.
However, upon reaching the top, he and his fellow Rangers realized the weapons were decoys designed to be a deterrent to the troops below. Even this was not reason enough for Mr. Lomell to give up. He and his team quickly found the real weapons unguarded nearby and destroyed them.
For his heroism and for saving countless lives, Mr. Lomell received the Distinguished Service Cross. Following the fighting at D-day, Mr. Lomell continued to serve his country in other battles, earning a Silver Star. After receiving another injury, he was honorably discharged in December of 1945.
After the war, Mr. Lomell returned to New Jersey, where he settled in Toms River. He graduated from Rutgers University Law School, married and had three daughters, and opened a successful law practice. He died in 2011 at age 91, and his grateful hometown honored him with the creation of Lomell Lane.
I can think of no better way to honor Mr. Lomell and demonstrate our Nation's continued gratitude for his service than to name this VA clinic in his honor.
I urge all Members to support this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I support H.R. 2170 to honor this very deserving veteran, and I yield back the balance of my time.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Source