00:00I thank the Speaker. Madam Speaker, today marks 80 years since the Empire of Japan unconditionally
00:10surrendered to General Douglas MacArthur and Allied forces above the USS Missouri. On
00:16this anniversary of VJ Day, it's fitting that we pause to remember not only as the
00:22end of history's deadliest conflict, but also the peace secured by the courage and sacrifice
00:29of the greatest generation, a legacy that still shapes our world today. More than 16 million
00:36Americans served, including 195,000 from the state of Arkansas. We remain forever grateful
00:43to the Allied war effort leadership and to the men and women who served downrange in the
00:48Pacific, in Europe, North Africa, and beyond, and to those on the home front who taught our
00:54kids and fueled the arsenal of democracy. Our generation salutes the greatest generation
01:00for the defeat of fascism and the preservation of liberty and freedom.
01:06Madam Speaker, one of those Pacific vets is my friend Floyd Brantley of Conway, Arkansas,
01:14a proud American who answered his country's call not once, but three different times. Floyd
01:21first enlisted in the Navy in 1943, serving as a hospital corpsman with the 1st Marine Division
01:28in the Russell Islands and New Guinea. After the war, he went on to Baylor University, joined
01:33the Air Force ROTC, and later served as a transport officer in Busan, South Korea, during the Korean
01:41Conflict. Most men would have considered that a full measure of service, but two decades later,
01:47during the Vietnam era, Floyd once again put on the uniform, this time in the Air National
01:52Guard, giving another ten years to his country. He retired as a colonel. As he approaches in
02:01on a century of life, I've never met a more active, positive person. In all, Colonel Brantley
02:08devoted more than 23 years to the defense of our nation. He's a shining example of service
02:13above self, and I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring him today.
02:20Madam Speaker, on this 80th commemoration of VJ Day, I want to recognize the remarkable service
02:26of Mr. John Mass, a proud veteran of World War II, the Korean conflict, and the Vietnam War.
02:33Like so many of his generation, John answered the call to serve, devoting over 26 years to
02:39the defense of our country. He began his service in 1943 with the U.S. Army Air Corps and concluded
02:45with his honorable retirement from the United States Air Force in 1969. Over that distinguished
02:52career, Mr. Mass served in post worldwide, including the Philippines, Guam, Thailand, Greenland,
02:59Germany, and bases across the United States, where he contributed to the safety and effectiveness
03:05of airborne operations. Now at 97 years old, Mr. Mass's record of service stands as an enduring
03:13testament to duty, sacrifice, and patriotism, and we honor his extraordinary contributions
03:19to his country. Madam Speaker, on this VJ anniversary day, I rise to recognize Mary Fine. Mary Fine
03:28turned 100 years old this past March 12th. I rise today to honor not only this incredible milestone
03:34in her life, but her service to our country. Ms. Fine was a member of the Women's Army Corps and served
03:41our country during America's most difficult test of the Second World War. From 1942 to 1978, the Women's Army
03:49Corps offered opportunities for women to serve in the armed and uniformed services. WACS, as its members
03:56were called, served in a variety of roles, including as mechanics, medical professionals, photographers, and clerks.
04:03As for Mary, she served as a phone operator and a translator. Women like Mary were integral to our victory,
04:10as they worked tirelessly to support men on the front line and ensure the American war machine
04:15operated at peak efficiency. Ms. Fine, congratulations on your birthday, and thank you for your service.
04:22And Madam Chair, Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
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