[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 89 (Monday, June 23, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6102-S6103]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   FLOODING BRINGS TRAGEDIES TO IDAHO

 Mr. CRAIG. Mr. President, I rise to report a sad event in my 
State of Idaho that claimed the lives of two Guardsmen: Maj. Don Baxter 
of Boise, commander of the 124th Communications Flight, 124th Wing of 
the Idaho Air National Guard, and 1st Lt. Will Neal of Picabo, platoon 
leader with A Company, 1st-183 Aviation Battalion Army National Guard 
in Boise.
  They were flying reconnaissance over the floods in southwest Idaho 
where their helicopter crashed. As the natural disaster rages through 
Idaho, as the communities band together, as we strive to save lives and 
property, we now must struggle with the reality that these men lost 
their lives, and CWO Shellby Wurthrich, with A Company, 1st-183 
Aviation Battalion Army National Guard of Boise, is still fighting for 
his life.
  These distinguished men had served their State and communities 
before. Major Baxter, a full time Guardsman, received many decorations, 
including the State of Idaho Emergency Ribbon in support of the Fire 
Suppression in 1994. Lieutenant Neal, a cattleman, received amongst his 
numerous decorations, the Army Commendation Medal, Army's Achievement 
Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and twice Army Reserve Component 
Medal. He was also airborne qualified.
  A neighbor who saw the crash, without fear for her life, Ms. Sherry 
Lang, risked her own life to rescue Chief Warrant Officer Wurthrich 
before the helicopter exploded into flames. The heroism she displayed 
exemplifies the spirit of a community pulling together.
  Chief Warrant Officer Wurthrich, recipient of the Army Commendation 
Medal, Army's Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, twice, 
Army Reserve Component Medal, and many other decorations, is today 
being transferred to a burn treatment center in Utah. We pray for his 
strength during his recovery and ask everyone to remember him in the 
weeks and months to come.
  As we mourn for the deceased, we mourn our loss and we sympathize 
with the sorrow of the bereaved. We search for the good things to 
remember as solace. Most of the richness of the human experience is in 
what is handed down from one to another--not things of wood and stone, 
but memories of what they did or said or felt.
  We must remember and emulate these individuals for the best of their 
lives. As National Guardsmen, they sought out opportunities to 
safeguard and help the people of Idaho, in times of disasters and 
distress. With every mission, they risked of danger and injury. 
Ultimately, they gave their lives in helping their neighbors and their 
community.

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  This is why Idaho mourns their deaths and grieves with their families 
and understand their loss, for it is our loss, too. We will remember 
them and their heroic efforts. Life ends, but memories live on.

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