- Record: Extensions of Remarks
- Section type: Recognition
- Chamber: House
- Date: July 21, 2026
- Congress: 119th Congress
- Why this source matters: Extensions of Remarks are statements submitted for the official record, even if they were not spoken live on the floor.
HON. VINCE FONG
of california
in the house of representatives
Mr. FONG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Richard McAbee as he celebrates his 100th birthday. Born on July 21, 1926, Mr. McAbee demonstrated his immense patriotism at the age of 18, when he enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps to serve as a B-29 bomber pilot during World War II. Shortly after enlisting, he reported to Biloxi, Mississippi, for basic training before continuing his service with assignments in Yuma, Arizona, and Amarillo, Texas.
Mr. McAbee served our Nation through the conclusion of World War II. After the war ended, he continued his dedication to the Armed Forces by serving as a mechanic for the B-29 bomber and was honorably discharged in September 1945.
In 1949, Mr. McAbee married his wife, Marilyn, and together they built a family. They welcomed their daughter, Brenda, in 1950, and their son, Brian, in 1951. In 1962, the McAbee family eventually put down roots in Dunlap, California, where Mr. McAbee became a well-known and respected member of the mountain community for more than six decades.
Throughout his life, Mr. McAbee has embodied the values of service, perseverance, and dedication. His commitment to defending our Nation, caring for his family, and strengthening our community perfectly models the character and patriotism that define the `greatest generation'. Please join me in thanking him for his service and wishing him the best as he turns 100 years old.