Hoyer Presents Medals to Vietnam Veteran
CROFTON, MD – Today, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-5) presented the Navy Good Conduct, National Defense Service, and Vietnam Service Medals to William E. Dorsey, a Vietnam War veteran, at the Crofton Country Club, where he has worked for the past 48 years. Below are his remarks as prepared for delivery:
"I am so glad to be here today for this wonderful occasion. And I am incredibly proud to be presenting William Dorsey with medals that he earned through his distinguished service to our nation and to the United States Navy during the Vietnam War.
"Though he did not have them physically at the time, he has surely carried these medals with him in spirit since his honorable discharge in 1966.
"Today's ceremony is less a bestowing than it is a recognition of what William and all who know him have always known to be true.
"It is a recognition that he contributed to the defense of his nation, that he served courageously in the Vietnam theater of combat, and that he performed his duties as an enlisted officer with good conduct.
"It was a period of service that took a young man from Annapolis to the farthest corners of the world – Okinawa, Cochin, Suez, Naples, the Mekong Delta, just to name a few.
"It is also very fitting that we are gathered today for this ceremony in a room named in William's honor.
"When the Crofton Country Club built this event space, they decided to name it after him, because a room that is flexible and can adapt to any challenge deserves to be named in honor of a man who has always exemplified those very same skills.
"When I think of the devotion that William has had all these years to the Navy and his determination to make sure that his service record accurately reflected his time on the U.S.S. Harold J. Ellison, I am reminded of something President John F. Kennedy once said.
"Kennedy's life and leadership inspired me to pursue public service, as it did for so many who served in government or the military in the 1960's and the years that followed.
"Himself a decorated Naval war hero, Kennedy said this: ‘any man who may be asked in this century what he did to make his life worthwhile, I think can respond with a good deal of pride and satisfaction: "I served in the United States Navy."'
"It is now my great honor to present Petty Officer Third Class William Edward Dorsey Sr. with these medals earned through his service to our country in the United States Navy: the Navy Good Conduct Medal; the National Defense Service Medal; and the Vietnam Service Medal.
"Congratulations – and thank you for your service to the United States, to Maryland, and to this community."