[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 82 (Monday, June 26, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1109]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




TRIBUTE IN MEMORY OF LT WILLIAM JOSEPH DEY AND LT DAVID ERICK BERGSTROM

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KAY GRANGER

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 23, 2000

  Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, many years ago Tennyson eulogized the 
sacrifice of hundreds of young men in the poem, ``The Charge of the 
Light Brigade.'' Tennyson gave answer to those who wondered why so many 
young men would give so much. ``Theirs not to make reply,'' Tennyson 
explained. ``Theirs not to reason why. Theirs but to do and die.
  The price of freedom has never been cheap. But in America, there have 
always been those willing to bear the burden and pay the price to keep 
our nation free. I rise today to honor and pay tribute to two of these 
men, LT William Joseph Dey and LT David Erick Bergstrom.
  On Sunday, June 18th, LT Dey and LT Bergstrom made the ultimate 
sacrifice when the F-14 they were flying crashed at an airshow near 
Philadelphia. Both LT Dey and LT Bergstrom were graduates of the U.S. 
Naval Academy and serving as instructors with VF-101 at Naval Air 
Station Oceana.
  LT Bergstrom served his country honorably during overseas deployments 
in support of Operations Deliberate Guard and Southern Watch. His 
tremendous airborne leadership lead to his selection as one of only 
four aviators chosen for the F-14 flight demonstration team. He is 
survived by his parents, James and Catherine Bergstrom, and two sisters 
Karen and Patty. His father James is a retired naval aviator.
  LT Dey served honorably aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt supporting 
Operations Allied Force and Southern Watch. His performance as airborne 
forward air controller, guiding other aircraft to specific targets 
while dodging hostile fire was an inspiration to us all. He is survived 
by his wife Deborah, and 15-month old daughter Kamryn.
  America must never forget the dedication our servicemen and women 
make everyday to preserve our freedom and prosperity even in peace 
time. To these heroes, America owes its freedom and Congress owes its 
eternal gratitude.
  Our thoughts and prayers are with their families, friends and 
shipmates. May God bless them. And may God bless our service members 
everywhere.

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