Articles
Coolville man attends State of Union, congressional hearings
Washington,
January 25, 2012
Tags:
Veterans Affairs
An Honor Flight trip last fall resulted in an honor for an Athens County man — an invitation to attend President Obama’s State of the Union address as a guest of a local congressman.
By Casey S. Elliott
Athens Messenger Published: January 25, 2012 WASHINGTON — An Honor Flight trip last fall resulted in an honor for an Athens County man — an invitation to attend President Obama’s State of the Union address as a guest of a local congressman. Athens County residents who tuned in to Tuesday night’s presidential address may have recognized Coolville resident George “Poppy” Fowler among the legislators, Cabinet members and other distinguished guest gathered on Capitol Hill. Fowler, 87, was invited to attend the event as guest of Ohio 6th District Rep. Bill Johnson, R-Marietta. Fowler served as a rear gunner in the Pacific theater in World War II. Veterans who go on Honor Flights are provided a guardian, a volunteer who escorts them to the memorials and helps look after them during their stay in Washington. Johnson served as Fowler’s guardian and accompanied the Coolville man on his trips to the war memorials. As the men toured the memorials, they struck up a conversation, during which Johnson asked Fowler to testify on a bill — the World War II Memorial Prayer Act of 2011 — he was sponsoring in the U.S. House. The bill directs the Secretary of the Interior to install a plaque or inscription with the words that President Franklin D. Roosevelt prayed with the nation on June 6, 1944 — the morning of D-Day — on or near the World War II memorial, according to Congress’ website. Fowler testified in support of the bill during committee hearings, and earlier in the day on Tuesday he was present for deliberation and discussion on the bill in the U.S. House. In an interview with The Messenger Tuesday afternoon, Fowler — a Republican — said it was an incredible experience for him to see legislation in action and to be present during the State of the Union address. “I’m pretty humbled even being asked to even come,” he said. “I consider it an honor. I have the utmost respect for all of these people I’ve met up here — they’re doing a fine job.” The trip also gave Fowler an opportunity to visit his old stomping grounds; he worked in the Washington, D.C., area before moving to Coolville in 1967. Fowler said he was also impressed with Johnson’s presentation on the war memorial bill. “It was very interesting and very heart-warming,” he said. “(Johnson) did a wonderful job.” |