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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E496-E497]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
REMEMBERING THE LIFE OF SAM FELTON
______
HON. MARCY KAPTUR
of ohio
in the house of representatives
Thursday, May 28, 2020
Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to remember the extraordinary
life of Samuel ``Sam'' Felton, Jr., one of Lorain County's most
honored, visible, and tireless veterans, and a valued father figure for
his entire community.
Sam Felton was the only person from Lorain County to win the Navy
Cross in Vietnam. He never rested on his laurels and built a legacy of
service to Lorain, Ohio. He served three tours of duty during the
Vietnam War with the U.S. Marine Corps from December 1968 to August
1971. While serving in Vietnam, he received both the Navy Cross for
heroism and
[[Page E497]]
the Purple Heart for being wounded in combat.
The Navy Cross is the second-highest decoration for valor in combat
in the Marines and U.S. Navy; fewer than 500 were awarded during the
Vietnam War. Sam earned it in June 1969 by valiantly rescuing three
wounded Marines during an 11-day battle near An Hoa, Qung Nam Province.
Fifty years later, in 2019, Sam was inducted into the Ohio Veterans
Hall of Fame for his contributions to fellow veterans, the community,
and our nation.
Sam owned a karate academy and billiard parlors and worked at U.S.
Steel, but his heart and soul was in assisting fellow veterans. In 45
years of veteran advocacy, Sam supported fellow veterans as Commander
and Life Member of the Disabled American Veterans Lorain Chapter 20;
Ohio Chairman of the Advisory Committee of Valor Home (a nonprofit
organization providing services for homeless veterans); delegate to the
Lorain Veterans Council; member, First Marine Division Association;
member, National Association of Black Veterans; co-founder and three
time president of the Lorain Veterans Council and past commander of
AMVETS. Sam received the 2006 Vietnam Service Multiple Medals Award,
the Ohio Secretary of State's 2007 Outstanding Veterans Award and was
named the Lorain Ohio Veteran of the Year in 2010.
In addition to dedicating himself to veterans, Sam advocated for the
youth of Lorain County. He founded the Sam Felton Athletic Club and
Youth Center, the Jackie Jones Felton Scholarship Fund for college-
bound students, co-founded the Samuel Felton Jr. Community Development
Program, and worked with kids and veterans interested in musical
outreach.
In 2018, the Lorain City Council named a section of East 36th Street
``Sgt. Samuel L. Felton Jr. Blvd.'' to honor Sam for his service to the
City of Lorain and its people. For all these awards and acclamations
Sam received, he will be remembered admirably by the thousands of
people to whom he ministered by providing peer support to fellow
veterans, getting them Veterans Affairs services, or even just driving
veterans to their appointments. Truly, Sam was a national hero, and a
hero of Lorain, Ohio.
We offer Sam Felton's family and friends our prayers and deepest
hopes that they find comfort in the wonderful memories and lasting
deeds of his precious life. May they find joy in understanding what his
legacy meant to each person he touched and his deep dedication to
building the people of Lorain forward.
____________________