[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 73 (Wednesday, May 19, 1999)]
[House]
[Page H3361]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                              {time}  1800
       TRIBUTE TO U.S. ARMY CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER KEVIN REICHERT

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Kind) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an American 
hero, U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer Kevin Reichert.
  Last week I attended Officer Reichert's funeral in his hometown of 
Chetek, Wisconsin, a small town of 2,000 people in the northern part of 
my congressional district.
  Chetek is like any small town in rural America. When a member of the 
community is recognized for outstanding deeds, everyone shares in the 
pride and joy; and when tragedy strikes, the community shares in the 
grief. It is unfortunate that last week the people of Chetek came 
together to bury a hometown hero.
  Kevin Reichert lost his life, along with his copilot Chief Warrant 
Officer David Gibbs, during an Apache flight-training mission in 
Albania while in support of Operation Allied Force. These two men were 
stationed in Illesheim, Germany, with their families and were the first 
American casualties of Operation Allied Force in Yugoslavia.
  Mr. Speaker, Officer Reichert began his military career in the United 
States Air Force, where he served with great pride and honor. He later 
transferred to the U.S. Army in order to realize his lifelong dream of 
flying. Kevin was accepted to an Army aviation flight program. He later 
distinguished himself as an outstanding and decorated officer. His 
commitment to his country was an inspiration to those who served with 
him.
  When I attended Kevin's funeral, I had the opportunity to speak with 
Chief Warrant Officer Paul Clark, who lived with Kevin in Illesheim and 
served with him in Albania. In his eulogy, Officer Clark honored his 
fallen fellow soldier by saying, ``Kevin always answered the call. He 
always cared about everyone. He was proud of what he did and his unit 
was proud of him.''
  Other pilots in Kevin's squadron said that he took great pride in 
every task that he was given. One pilot even said that Kevin was 
considered peacemaker of the troop.
  Kevin was a devoted husband to his wife Ridgeley and a loving father 
of their three children, daughter Carrisa, and sons Christopher and 
Colten. In Chetek, family, friends and teachers remember him as a young 
man who always contributed to his community and was never shaken by 
adversity.
  While growing up in Chetek, Kevin displayed early signs of his desire 
to serve his country and fly. One of his biggest hobbies in high school 
was flying model airplanes. Kevin was so committed to realizing his 
dream of flying that he enlisted in the Air Force just one year before 
graduating from high school. Shortly after basic training, Kevin 
returned to Chetek in his uniform to thank those who had helped him 
along his way.
  The teachers at Chetek High School remembered him as a young man with 
an incredible desire to learn and a willingness to contribute to the 
world in which he lived. He touched many lives, and those who had 
contact with him were proud to call him their friend.
  This young man from western Wisconsin wanted nothing more than to 
provide for his family, to serve his country, and to fly helicopters. 
He was the son every mother wants, the student every teacher dreams of, 
the husband and father every family needs, and the soldier every Nation 
must have.
  Mr. Speaker, this tragic accident reminds us that all men and women 
in our Armed Forces operate in dangerous conditions every day to carry 
out their mission. It reinforces our respect for the sacrifices that 
they and their families make in order to serve our country and protect 
our Nation's interests across the globe.
  Kevin Reichert's death is a great loss to our Nation and to our 
community in western Wisconsin. Our Nation owes Officer Reichert and 
his family a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid. His service to 
our country and his ultimate sacrifice will not be forgotten.
  Blessed are the peacemakers, for they are called the sons of God. And 
God bless Kevin Reichert, Officer David Gibb, and their families. And 
God bless all our young men and women in our Armed Forces throughout 
the globe who are serving our Nation and protecting our freedom.

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