March 27, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 53 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E358]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       IN HONOR OF CHESTER ELKIN

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. ANDY BARR

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 27, 2019

  Mr. BARR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of a special 
man, Mr. Chester Elkin, of Madison County, Kentucky. Mr. Elkin is part 
of a special group of heroes that served our nation during World War 
II.
  Mr. Elkin was born in the small community of Wallaceton in 1919. He 
served in the Army Air Corps from 1941 to 1946. Mr. Elkin was assigned 
to an airbase on Ie Jima Island, Okinawa, where he led the development 
of a runway for landing our aircraft. At the war's end, he was chosen 
to be in charge of receiving Japanese aircraft and their pilots as they 
surrendered. Mr. Elkin earned the American Theater Medal, American 
Defense Medal, Asiatic Pacific Theater Medal with 2 bronze stars, Good 
Conduct Ribbon, and the Victory Medal for his service in the war.
  Mr. Elkin was a civic minded person from a young age and worked to 
benefit his community. While still in high school, he became the driver 
of his community's first school bus. At the age of 17, he opened a 
general store so local citizens would not have to travel to get needed 
supplies. He later bought property in and around Berea, enabling him to 
provide numerous new businesses and create jobs. He served on many 
committees and civic organizations for the Berea community. He was a 
part owner in Renfro Valley Entertainment, which draws visitors from 
all over the world. He has been an active member of the Wallaceton 
Baptist Church since he was a teenager. He has been a member of the 
American Legion Post 50 in Berea for many years. For 30 years, he 
served as County Game Warden. Mr. Elkin's involvement over many years 
resulted in improvements to the quality of life in Berea.
  Mr. Elkin and his fellow veterans are true heroes. As members of the 
``Greatest Generation,'' they willingly served to protect and defend 
the freedoms that we enjoy today. I am humbled to honor the service of 
Mr. Chester Elkin before the United States Congress.

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