[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 65 (Thursday, May 6, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S4848]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO TWO BRAVE AMERICAN SOLDIERS

  Mr. VOINOVICH. Mr. President, yesterday, our Nation suffered our 
first casualties in the war of Yugoslavia. An Apache helicopter crashed 
in the Albanian mountains on what has been called a ``routine training 
mission.''
  Two brave American soldiers--Chief Warrant Officer Kevin L. Reichert 
and Chief Warrant Officer David A. Gibbs--lost their lives for our 
Nation. They are heroes.
  Kevin Reichert, 28 years old, was born in Chippewa Falls, WI, and 
David Gibbs hailed from Massillon, OH, which is west of Canton and 
about an hour or so south of Cleveland. He was 38 years old, married 
and had three children.
  David joined the Marine Corps right out of Washington High School 
back in 1980. After 4 years of service, he left the Marines, only to 
enlist in the Army 18 months later.
  His mother, Dorothy Gibbs, said he enlisted in the Army so he could 
fly helicopters. She said it was ``his dream'' and ``he was so happy 
when he flew.'' She also said he hoped to retire in 2 years to pursue a 
career in airport management.
  From all accounts, David had accepted the dangers of flying military 
aircraft. He knew there was a chance there could be a problem.
  David told his mother that he was so concerned about his mission in 
Kosovo, and she is quoted as saying:

       He didn't feel prepared enough because he didn't know 
     enough about the terrain.

  She also said:

       He hadn't gotten the terrain map and he was concerned about 
     that.

  A couple of weeks ago, I spoke to the Senate Armed Services Committee 
chairman, Senator Warner, and I expressed my concern to him about the 
number of Ohioans who have been killed in helicopter accidents.
  To illustrate, since 1991, 32 men and women from Ohio have died 
serving their Nation, not counting the Persian Gulf war. Of this 
number, 11 died in helicopter crashes. That is 34 percent of them. Why 
so many deaths from helicopters? All these deaths, but for one, were in 
noncombat situations.
  Our military operates sophisticated machinery. Our mechanics are the 
best trained in the world. Our pilots are trained to meet and respond 
to all contingencies. Again, the question is: Why so many deaths due to 
helicopter accidents?
  Remember, this is the second such accident in 9 days involving Apache 
helicopters in Albania. Are we giving our pilots specific and correct 
intelligence so they can avoid accidents or, worse, possible enemy 
fire?
  Mr. President, I will not go into what is right or wrong about being 
in Yugoslavia, but we are at war and we have to ensure that our men and 
women have all the necessary tools to do their job and that the 
equipment they use is the best and we have the finest maintenance.
  In the investigation that will follow the accident, I think it is 
imperative--in fact it is essential--that we find out whether there was 
a problem with the equipment in the helicopter or, in the alternative, 
whether it had proper maintenance.
  War is serious business. People's lives are on the line, and there 
can be no room for error. If faulty equipment, lack of equipment, lack 
of communications, or improper information led to the death of these 
two men, it is critical that our military take necessary steps to 
correct such errors.
  I am heartened in the knowledge that a peaceful settlement of this 
war appears to be in the works. However, I am saddened that it could 
not have come sooner to prevent the deaths of these two brave men and 
the destruction of Yugoslavia.
  The United States owes David and Kevin a debt of gratitude that we 
will never be able to repay for they have paid the ultimate sacrifice. 
As John says in chapter 15:13, ``Greater love has no man than this, 
that a man lay down his life for his friends.''
  Our thoughts and our prayers go out to David's family and especially 
to his wife Jean and three children, Allison, Megan, and David, and 
also his mother Dorothy, who lost David's father just this past 
Christmas.
  As one who has lost a child, I know the days and months ahead will be 
difficult as the family deals with their grief and the absence of the 
physical presence of their father. I pray that the words of Matthew 
5:4, ``Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted,'' 
apply to their family.
  Thank you, Mr. President.

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