Garland H. Barr in the 119th Congress. HON. ANDY BARR of kentucky in the house of representatives Monday, October 26, 2026 Mr. BARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor a true patriot, Mr. Frank Blankenship of Waco, Kentucky.
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HON. ANDY BARR
of kentucky
in the house of representatives
Mr. BARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor a true patriot, Mr. Frank Blankenship of Waco, Kentucky. Mr. Blankenship, a veteran of the United States Army and the United States Air Force, celebrated his 101st birthday on October 16th.
Mr. Blankenship was born in Burdine, Kentucky on October 16, 1925. Burdine is located in Letcher County, in the heart of Kentucky's coal country. To avoid working in the coal mines and looking for a better life, Mr. Blankenship enlisted in the U.S. Army at the age of 15, fudging about his age as other young patriots did at the time. He enlisted on April 9, 1941. He was stationed at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii when Pearl Harbor was attacked on December 7, 1941. He remained with the Army throughout World War II in the Pacific Theatre, being honorably discharged on August 17, 1945.
Mr. Blankenship re-enlisted on February 5, 1948, this time joining the newly formed United States Air Force. He served with the 2750th Air Base Wing stationed at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. He was an Aircraft Mechanic Foreman and an Airplane Inspector II. Mr. Blankenship retired as Chief Master Sergeant on November 30, 1963, and was honorably discharged.
Mr. Blankenship went on to work for the Bluegrass Army Depot (MRSA) as a civilian. He retired again in 1987. He married the late Judy Blankenship in 1969 and they have three children; Randall (deceased), Pamela, and Mark.
inspiration to us all. I am forever grateful to him and his fellow soldiers who sacrificed so much in service to our nation. They are indeed the Greatest Generation. It is my honor to recognize his service and his 101st birthday before the United States Congress.