The publication is reproduced in full below:
IN HONOR OF CAPTAIN ROBERT ``BUZZ'' BUSWELL AS TENNESSEE'S SECOND
DISTRICT VETERAN OF THE MONTH
______
HON. TIM BURCHETT
of tennessee
in the house of representatives
Thursday, July 1, 2021
Mr. BURCHETT. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor Purple Heart recipient and Vietnam War veteran Captain Robert ``Buzz'' Buswell as Tennessee's Second District Veteran of the Month.
Captain Buswell enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1968 as a first lieutenant. In 1970, his platoon was attacked in Cambodia by enemy forces and he sustained extensive injuries. He was hospitalized for 19 months and received 27 surgeries. He fought for his recovery and even had to relearn how to walk. He retired from the military as a captain in 1972.
Buswell, whose father was a career officer in the U.S. Air Force, met his wife Donna in their high school glee club in New Hampshire. They have a son and a daughter.
Captain Buswell received numerous medals and commendations for his service, including the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with ``V'' Device, and the Combat Infantryman Badge. Just this year, Buswell was chosen as one of the nation's 2021 Purple Heart Patriot Project honorees.
After his military service, he earned his Master's Degree in education and spent many years serving East Tennessee communities. He worked for the Boys & Girls Club, the Knox County Fire Prevention Bureau, and served as the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Hurricane Katrina ombudsman for Knoxville and Knox County. In 2012, when I was mayor, I had the honor of working alongside Buswell when he took the position of Knox County's veteran service officer. He continues that work today as the county's Director of Veteran and Senior Services.
If there's a veteran issue, program or event taking place in East Tennessee, it's almost certain that Buswell is involved. He is an active member in numerous veteran organizations. These include being a Life Member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, the Disabled American Veterans, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the American Legion. He helped charter the Vietnam Veterans of America Captain Bill Robinson Chapter 1078. His service to fellow veterans also includes involvement with the Veterans Regional Mental Health Council, Honor Air Knoxville, and Wreaths Across America. Through the United Veterans Council of East Tennessee he established a program serving hundreds of veterans free breakfast on Saturdays.
Captain Buzz Buswell is a true American hero. He sacrificed to protect our country and fight for our freedoms. And he's spent countless hours taking care of fellow veterans, making sure they have the support they need and the recognition they deserve.
I thank him for his service. It's an honor to call him my friend.
____________________
SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 115
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