Recognizing Major John Raymond Knue, Usaf, Retired with A Congressional Veteran Commendation

Floor Speech

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Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to present retired Major John Raymond Knue, United States Air Force, of Robinson, Texas with a Congressional Veterans Commendation.

John was born the oldest of six children in a large and loving family in rural southern Indiana. Graduating from North Dearborn high school in 1968 and after a short time working in construction in civil engineering, he decided to enroll in the Air Force in December 1968 at the height of the Vietnam War.

He took his basic training at Lackland Air Force Base and was awarded his tech specialty in civil engineering. During his 22 years on active duty, John was overseas over five years to include tours in the Vietnam War as well as a tour in Germany. He was sent to advanced training for Vietnam, and in November 1970 arrived in Cam Ranh Bay with Unit 554 Civil Engineering Squad in heavy repair construction. This was part of the famous ``Red Horse'' squad, and in fact, the 554 was the last Red Horse unit in Vietnam.

Through hard work, he attained the rank of Technical Sergeant and earned an appointment at the Air Force Officers Training School and was commissioned in November 1978. Following a very successful career as a Commissioned Officer, he retired at the rank of Major in August 1998.

During his military career, Major Knue earned many prestigious decorations including three Meritorious Service Medals, three Air Force Commendation Medals, six Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards, four Vietnam Service Medals, the Humanitarian Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Following his retirement, he received his Doctor of Education degree from the University of North Texas in 1998 and continued to serve others through employment, charity, and volunteer activities. In education, he was Facility Development OfFicer at Texas State Technical College and Senior Lecturer at Baylor University Hankamer School of Business. In civic duty, he was a Robinson City Council Member, McLennan County 911 District Board of Manager, and served in various capacities as a Robinson firefighter and Emergency Medical Technician.

For fellow veterans, he works tirelessly for Heart of Texas Waco Veterans One-Stop for earned military benefits as Lead Trainer for new volunteers, assists in holding Baylor University law clinics, and helps coordinate all special events including weekly meals. He is a Veterans of Foreign Wars Lifetime Member and Officer and Vietnam Veterans Association of America Lifetime Member. John was honored as the State of Texas 2020 Appointment of the Year for Continued Service to Veterans of Vietnam War and All Wars.

John is very active in Meadowbrook Baptist Church where among other things, John and his wife Carol plan and supervise Wednesday night family night meals for one-hundred and fifty members from August to May of each year.

For an American who lives by ``Never Stop Serving'', I proudly award retired United States Air Force Major John R. Knue the Congressional Veteran Commendation.

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