WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) highlighted the service and sacrifice of three Alabama veterans to commemorate Veterans Day. In remarks delivered on the Senate floor, Senator Tuberville shared the stories of Lieutenant Colonel Ron Skoneki of Montgomery, Command Sergeant Major Joe Godwin of Mobile, and Sergeant David Henry of Warrior.
Excerpts from Senator Tuberville’s remarks can be viewed here or below.
RON SKONEKI
“After 33 years of service, Lieutenant Colonel Skoneki retired. But he wanted to continue to serve. So, he joined Alabama’s wing of the Civil Air Patrol in Montgomery. He then served another 16 years helping to support the U.S. Air Force in a civilian capacity.”
“Now, at 87 years old, he is just as proud of his time wearing the uniform as ever. And he should be.”
JOE GODWIN
“Joe wanted to join the military ever since he was 14. By the time he was 17, he couldn’t wait anymore. He got his dad’s permission to join the Army. He went on to serve in three wars—World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.”
“Today, Joe is 94 years old. When people tell him he’s a hero, he says, the real heroes are the ones who didn’t make it back.”
DAVID HENRY
“Sergeant Henry has served as a firefight and a paramedic. These experiences gave him skills that he used as a medic in the Iraq War. His first deployment came when his son was only six months old. Sergeant Henry deployed again to the Middle East when his son was three. He had to sacrifice to be an ocean away from his family. He had to explain to a three-year-old why Dad was going to be gone—and he didn’t know when he was coming back. A lot of families know what that’s like.”
Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans Affairs, and HELP Committees.
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