Many of you will remember that Mr. Bechtold was a history teacher at Avon School District 04-1. He is also a past Mayor of the City Of Avon South Dakota.

Mr. Lagendyk enlisted in the Air Force in June 1941 where he became a squadron clerk and joined the all volunteer glider program. His outstanding aviation skills led to his promotion to staff sergeant and a transfer to Lubbock, Texas for glider combat training. Once in Texas, Nelson was again promoted, this time to the position of Flight Officer. Following his new promotion, he then traveled to Louisville, Kentucky for continued training in preparation of his flight to Europe.

Leadership, courage and honor define Nelson's heroic actions on June 6, 1944 when he joined 4,000 glider and tow planes for a dangerous flight into Hitler's occupied France. Nelson Lagendyk courageously risked his life to secure the airfield behind enemy lines, so that German prisoners may be transported to England where they would later be held accountable for the grave atrocities committed against the Jewish people under Hitler's infamous reign.

Nelson's honors for his exemplary service include the distinguished Air Medal and the prestigous Battle Field Commission to 2nd Lieutenant, as well as the Normandy Medal of the Jubilee of Liberty'', which was presented to him by the French government in appreciation for the World War II liberation. Upon his retirement with the rank of General, Nelson enlisted in the Air Force Reserves as a ready reservist. He presently serves as South Dakota's Commander of the World War II Glider Pilot Association.

Mr. President, Nelson Lagendyk richly deserves this noble distinction. It is an honor for me to share his heroic accomplishments with my colleagues and to publicly commend him for serving South Dakota and our country valiantly.

It should also be noted that Mr Lagendyk is one of the Combat Air Crew Memorial Members.

Nelson married Leonora Spomer on June 20, 1946. Three daughters were born to their union. He was employed by Rocketdyne Aviation in California for several years and then returned to Avon, where he owned and operated Lagendyk's Variety Store from 1947 to 1997. Many of of can remember buying candy from Mr. Lagendyk.

Nelson John Lagendyk, son of John and Johanna (Nyenhuis) Lagendyk, was born June 22, 1917, in Alton, IA. He passed away on his 88th birthday on June 22, 2005, at his home in Avon South Dakota.

The event will be hosted by their children and grandchildren. The couple requests no gifts. Greetings may be sent to 40920 302nd St., Avon, SD 57315.

Taking its name from a post office run out of the nearby home of Mr. and Mrs. George Phoenix, the city of Avon grew out of the 1879 expansion of the Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Paul Railroad. Prosperous agriculture in the western part of Bon Homme County led farmers and ranchers to seek expanded markets for their goods. Railroad officials, in turn, recognized the value of building a branch line from Napa to Platte to serve this need, and some 500 workers began the arduous task of laying the new line through the area. The start of work was closely followed by the opening of a saloon by Joe Sterba that would find its home in Avon's first permanent commercial building by 1900. Other businesses quickly joined the saloon, and Avon was soon a thriving community serving the agricultural region that surrounded it.

For most of its 125 years, the city of Avon has been served by the weekly newspaper, the Avon Clarion, which began publication in the winter of 1901. In an article that year, the paper boasted that Avon had, ``without exception, the brightest and most encouraging future of any town along this line.'' In the 125 years since its founding, Avon has proven its ability to thrive and serve farmers and ranchers in the region. Currently, more than 550 people live in the city of Avon. It is with great honor that I advise my colleagues of the achievements made by this great community.