Honoring Army Veteran Albert Emile Van Luchene On His Centenarian Birthday
Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Army veteran Albert Emile Van Luchene on his 100th birthday, and honor his service in the United States Armed Forces. Mr. Van Luchene was born in Huntley, Montana on October 3, 1922, to farmers who…
Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Army veteran Albert Emile Van Luchene on his 100th birthday, and honor his service in the United States Armed Forces.
Mr. Van Luchene was born in Huntley, Montana on October 3, 1922, to farmers who immigrated from Belgium to Montana in 1911. At eighteen years old during World War II, Mr. Van Luchene enlisted in the Army and experienced combat as a Communications Sergeant during the Battle of the Bulge in the Ardennes region of Belgium from December, 1944 to January, 1945. Mr. Van Luchene's valor and heroism during this time would see him later receiving the Croix de Guerre avec and Etoile de Bronze medals from the French government, the European-African-Middle Eastern Theatre Service medal, the American Campaign medal, the American Service medal, the Bronze Star, the American Defense Service medal, the Good Conduct medal, and the American Combat Infantry medal from the U.S. government. Most recently he was also awarded the Quilt of Valor Award.
Today, on behalf of Montana's At-Large Congressional District, I thank Mr. Van Luchene for his service to our Nation, and I warmly wish him a happy 100th birthday.