[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 129 (Wednesday, September 24, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9874-S9875]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING THE LIVES OF AIRMEN ANTHONY BEAT, CLAY CULVER, KIRK CAKERICE, 
                            AND GARY EVERETT

  Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, a B-1 bomber from Ellsworth Air Force 
Base near Rapid City, SD, crashed last Friday killing all four of the 
flight crew members. All four men who lost their lives were highly 
decorated American airmen receiving such awards as the Meritorious 
Service Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Humanitarian 
Service Medal, the Combat Readiness Medal, and the National Defense 
Service Medal.
  The four men were Col. Anthony Beat of the 28th Bomb Wing, vice 
commander. He was from Attica, OH, and is survived by his wife, Delores 
Ann, and sons, James and Alan. Maj. Clay Culver was the 37th Bomb 
Squadron assistant operations officer and weapons systems officer. He 
was from Sulfur, LA, and is survived by his wife, Cynthia, his 
daughter, Ann, and son, Parker, all of Rapid City. Maj. Kirk Cakerice, 
the 37th Bomb Squadron assistant operations officer and instructor 
pilot, was from Eldora, IA, and is survived by his wife, Myra, son, 
Brett, and daughter, Kendra, all of Rapid City. Capt. Gary Everett was 
the 37th Bomb Systems weapons systems officer from Brooklyn, NY, and is 
survived by his parents, Joseph and Dorthy Everett, of Glasgow, KY, and 
several brothers and sisters and fiance.
  On Monday, over 1,500 friends, peers, colleagues, and family mourned 
the loss of these four brave men in a memorial service at Ellsworth Air 
Force Base. At this time of tragedy, thoughts and prayers and the 
attention of people of the Black Hills region and the State of South 
Dakota and our Nation are with the families and friends of these four 
crewmen.
  This tragic incident underscores how quickly lives of even our 
bravest and most skilled military personnel can be lost. It is 
important that the legacy of these four men live on as dedicated 
airmen, proud parents, loving husbands, grateful sons, and honorable 
men. Our loss reflects the fact that in peacetime, as well as during 
conflict, the men and women of our military, our friends, our spouses, 
our children, put their lives on the line each and every day to 
preserve and protect our liberty as Americans.

  Colonel Beat, Major Cakerice, Major Culver, and Captain Everett were 
decorated veterans and honorable men who approached their military 
service with extraordinary dedication, commitment, pride, and 
professionalism.

[[Page S9875]]

  In this time of tragedy, we must also acknowledge that our Nation is 
stronger and our liberties more secure because of the willingness of 
these patriots to commit their talent, their leadership, and ultimately 
their lives to the defense of our Nation.
  Colonel Beat, Major Cakerice, Major Culver, and Captain Everett were 
shining examples of the quality, the expertise and the talents of the 
men and women who put on the uniforms of our Armed Forces.
  And so again, Mr. President, our prayers are with the families of 
these four great American airmen. We know that every day of the week 
others embark on similar training experiences and similar endeavors. 
Lives are always at risk in times of peace as well as in conflict in 
order to protect our liberties as Americans, including our ability in 
this Senate to gather, to debate, to discuss policy issues affecting 
our Nation.
  So it is in the great effort of these airmen, and others like them in 
all of our branches of the military, that we owe great gratitude. All 
people in the State of South Dakota share the grief but also the pride 
of these families in the great contribution that these airmen have made 
to our Nation.
  I yield back my time.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Who yields time?
  Mr. FAIRCLOTH. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. GORTON. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Ms. Collins). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.

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