| |
| |
|
|
R E S O L U T I O N
|
|
|
WHEREAS, World War II veterans Ira B. Gohlke and Ray |
|
|
Westerfeld of McGregor have been featured in the Waco |
|
|
Tribune-Herald as Voices of Valor; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, These two cousins were drafted into the U.S. Army in |
|
|
1944; Mr. Gohlke was inducted in August and Mr. Westerfeld in |
|
|
December, and both men trained at Fort Riley, Kansas; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Mr. Gohlke served with the American occupation |
|
|
forces in Osaka, Japan, following the end of the war in the Pacific, |
|
|
in early September 1945, while Mr. Westerfeld spent the remainder |
|
|
of his enlistment period in Oregon and California and at Camp Hood; |
|
|
Mr. Westerfeld was discharged at the rank of sergeant in July 1946, |
|
|
while Mr. Gohlke mustered out at the rank of corporal in September |
|
|
1946; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Back in Texas, the cousins, who had been courting |
|
|
sisters Helene and Margaret Schulte, married in a double ceremony |
|
|
on November 14, 1946; Ira and Margaret Gohlke raised 2 sons and have |
|
|
6 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren, while Helene and Ray |
|
|
Westerfeld have been blessed with 4 sons, 8 grandchildren, and 11 |
|
|
great-grandchildren; retired from farming, the couples now live |
|
|
around the corner from each other, and they celebrated their joint |
|
|
70th wedding anniversary in 2016; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Two men of deep patriotism, Ray Westerfeld and Ira |
|
|
Gohlke embodied the highest ideals of the United States armed |
|
|
forces, and their fellow citizens owe them a lasting debt of |
|
|
gratitude; now, therefore, be it |
|
|
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas |
|
|
Legislature hereby congratulate Ira Gohlke and Ray Westerfeld on |
|
|
their recognition as Voices of Valor by the Waco Tribune-Herald and |
|
|
extend to them deep appreciation for their exemplary service to |
|
|
their country; and, be it further |
|
|
RESOLVED, That official copies of this resolution be prepared |
|
|
for Mr. Gohlke and Mr. Westerfeld as an expression of high regard |
|
|
by the Texas House of Representatives. |