Posted on 01/03/2015 9:10:36 AM PST by Dave346
For the first time in 70 years, no World War II veteran will be sitting in the House of Representatives or in the Senate when 114th Congress convenes Jan. 3, according to the Association of Mature American Citizens.
Michigan’s John Dingell, 88, and 91-year-old Ralph Hall, of Texas, were the last of what’s known as the Greatest Generation to serve.
Dingell, a Democrat, enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1944, when he turned 18, and rose to the rank of second lieutenant. He was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1955 and holds the distinction of being the longest-serving member of Congress.
Navy Lieutenant Hall, a Republican, joined in 1942 and was an aircraft carrier pilot. He was elected to the House in 1980 and has held his seat for 17 terms.
“World War II, as awful as it was, broke down tons of barriers,” veterans’ advocate Seth Lynn, director of the independent Veterans Campaign, told the association. Those who served, developed a “camaraderie that lasted for the rest of their lives.”
Hall said the bond held firm among members of Congress who served in the Great War.
“When we differed on the issues, we respected each other and chose to respectfully disagree,” he told the association. “That was part of our military training and experience.”
The WWII generation slips away — and takes America with it.
Godspeed,Mr Hall!
And why not? The current generation doesn’t seem to want to have much of anything to do with it.
For a while I used the FR tagline "We're The First Generation Not Forced To Fight For Our Freedom..And It Shows".
Can't recall why I changed it.
At least there was Hall to keep Dingell from being the torchbearer. Dingell, despite being a veteran, is worthless.
“Mr. Dingell, what did you do in the war?” Just sayin’...
Assuming that Dingle served honorably (which I'm willing to do) it should be said that he went bad at some point *after* his service.Not all bad people are *born* bad.
I personally know Mr. Hall. My former boss was a friend of his. He’s a pretty good dude. That being said, he needs to go......
Both of these gentlemen serve as excellent examples of why term limits on federal politicians is such a good idea.
My thought: you’ve got 16 years. Spend it anyway you want between the House and Senate.
Looks like only 3 from Korea in the new term.
Democrat Charles Rangel (age 84) from New York, Democrat John Conyers Jr. (age 85) from Michigan, and Republican Sam Johnson (age 84) from Texas.
Thank God Dingle - berry has retired.
“”Navy Lieutenant Hall, a Republican, joined in 1942 and was an aircraft carrier pilot. He was elected to the House in 1980 and has held his seat for 17 terms.””
This is confusing - is he or isn’t he still in the House? Wikipedia has him as a current member but also losing his seat in a runoff in 2014.
“”My thought: you’ve got 16 years. Spend it anyway you want between the House and Senate.””
Absolutely - after that, hit the road.
As of today, the first day of the new 114th Congress Rep Hall is gone.
I guess the Wiki dudes don’t update changes in Congress quite as quickly as far celebrity deaths.
THANKS.
You’re welcome.
Got that from this article here:
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/05/us-usa-kennethbae-northkorea-idUSBREA141BD20140205
It was 4 in the last Congress, but Republican Howard Coble retired.
I’m assuming there aren’t any new ones in the new term.
Ralph Hall(R) 17 terms, 34 years. Started his career as a professional politician as a Democrat, then switched parties as the winds changed.
John Dingell(D) 29+ terms. 59 years. he replaced his father who held the seat from 1933 until 1955. He will be replace by his wife. His wife? Yep, she is about 30 years younger than he. If she can just hold on to it for the next 20 years, that one seat will have been held by three members one family for a century.
Yep, the People’s House, just as the founders envisioned it.
I honor their contributions and service during WWll, but like John McCain, they have coasted on that sevice for the rest of their lives.
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