Sergeant Gerald T. ``jerry'' Donnellan Post Office

Floor Speech

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Mr. JONES. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of my bill, H.R. 6267, to designate the post office located at 15 Chestnut Street in Suffern, New York, as the Sergeant Gerald T. ``Jerry'' Donnellan Post Office.

I am humbled to honor the late Sergeant Jerry Donnellan, whose memory brings great pride to all of us in New York's 17th Congressional District.

Mr. Donnellan was a Valley Cottage native and a three-time Purple Heart recipient who served in Vietnam as a U.S. Army sergeant. During an ambush, he was wounded and lost his lower right leg to a grenade. He underwent countless surgeries and extensive physical therapy before returning home to Rockland County in 1970.

Against all odds, Mr. Donnellan persevered. He learned to walk again alongside his newborn son. He even pursued his passion for theater and built a successful career as a stage manager for nearly two decades, including for Frank Sinatra.

But he never lost his love for public service. In 1986, when he learned of high rates of servicemember and veteran suicides, Mr. Donnellan was moved. He became a veterans counselor at Rockland County's Veterans Agency Office.

In 1992, he was appointed Rockland County's commissioner of veterans affairs. During his tenure, Sergeant Donnellan created local Chapter 333 of the Vietnam Veterans of America and started a veterans' health clinic. He helped create Camp Shanks Museum in the town of Orangetown and established the Rockland County Buffalo Soldiers Award to recognize the contributions of Black veterans.

He helped to start the Memorial Day watchfires in 1987, the year I was born, and established the Rockland County Public Service Medal to honor those who served in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Sergeant Donnellan never relented in his advocacy for our veterans and their families. He embodied selflessness as a soldier and civilian, treating every veteran and every person with the respect and dignity they deserve.

Today, we honor Sergeant Donnellan's life and his legacy. His commitment to serving our country and our fellow Americans should inspire us all.

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