Pastor urges committee to designate Oct. 1 as 760th Tank Battalion Day in HB 452 hearing

Pastor Dale Anthony DeGrote testified in favor of House Bill 452 during the committee’s second hearing, urging members to support a measure that would honor Deacon Lyman Alexander and the unit he served with.

DeGrote recounted Alexander's life — his military service, community leadership and long involvement as a scout leader — and described the proposal to designate October 1 as 760th Tank Battalion Day to preserve the unit’s legacy. "I urge the committee to favorably report HB 452," he told members, and he asked lawmakers to recognize the contributions of veterans who continued to serve their communities after leaving the military.

Members thanked the pastor for sharing his personal recollections and the committee closed the second hearing on HB 452; no formal vote was recorded at the session.