Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY-21) has introduced H.R. 6930 – a bill to designate the post office at 10 Miller Street, Plattsburgh, NY, as the Ross Bouyea Post Office Building.
“Over the course of his service with the U.S. Army’s 83rd Infantry “Thunderbolt” Division, Ross Bouyea played a role in some of the most pivotal moments of the Second World War,” said Congresswoman Stefanik. “Mr. Bouyea landed on Omaha Beach following the allied invasion of Normandy and saw 244 total days of combat that stretched across Europe. During this time, Mr. Bouyea fought in the Hurtgen Forest during the Battle of the Bulge and faced some of the harshest conditions that the war had to offer. Mr. Bouyea was also part of the division that liberated the Langenstein sub-camp of the Buchenwald concentration camp in 1945.”
“By the end of the war, Mr. Bouyea’s unit had received seven distinguished unit citations and he personally had earned three service medals. Mr. Bouyea’s service to his country did not end when he was honorably discharged in 1945, however, as he continued to play a significant role in his community in the later years of his life. In addition to sharing his story with local schools in his hometown of Plattsburgh, New York, Mr. Bouyea worked with North Country Honor Flight to fly his fellow veterans to visit our nation’s war memorials in Washington D.C. Ross Bouyea passed away on March 11, 2018, five years after participating in an Honor Flight of his own.”
“I am humbled to introduce this resolution to honor the life and legacy of Mr. Ross Bouyea – a true North Country hero.”
This bipartisan legislation is cosponsored by the entire New York House delegation.
What They’re Saying:
Barrie Finnegan, Executive Director, North Country Honor Flight: “Ross Bouyea was the face of North Country Honor Flight since its inception. Ross was always willing to go to all events and presentations -- he loved people, especially the school kids. His stories have been dropping jaws since he started telling them. The fact that he walked from Omaha Beach all the way to Germany was impressive enough, but there are stories from all along his route. We are at a rare moment in time, WWII Veterans such as Ross are passing away rather quickly. The importance of honoring these heroes cannot be understated. We would like to take the opportunity to thank our Congresswoman Elise Stefanik for putting forth the effort to get Ross immortalized on our Post Office. Elise had many interactions with Ross, and her caring for him and all our Veterans has always shown through. The Congresswoman has been to every Honor Flight but one, she was in Kyrgyzstan at the time. We couldn’t thank the Congresswoman enough for all she does for North Country Veterans.”
Judy Stevens, Plattsburgh, NY: “My uncle, Ross Bouyea, was a very kind and generous man who helped out anyone in need. He talked about the history of World War II at many of the schools in the area and the kids loved him. My uncle also went to all of the Honor Flights to send off all of the brave American Veterans. He fought for the love of his country and freedom for all, and is sadly missed as a true American War Hero.”
Chuck O’Connor, Peru, NY: “I met Ross during my time volunteering at the senior center in Plattsburgh and developed a close friendship with him. Ross joined the army at nineteen because he felt it was his responsibility to serve his country, and he went off to war not knowing what he would face. He bravely served from Omaha Beach through the Battle of the Bulge and into Germany, fighting to protect our freedoms here at home. Ross shared his experiences during the war as a way to honor those who fought alongside him, and to educate the young and old alike, not for personal glory. Ross was an incredibly humble and caring person, and it was truly an honor to have known him. I want to thank Congresswoman Stefanik for all she does for our North Country Veterans and thank her for her efforts in honoring Ross’s memory.”
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