[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 178 (Thursday, December 20, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2377-E2378]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     IN MEMORY OF DOUGLAS ECCLESTON

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. DAVE WELDON

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 20, 2001

  Mr. WELDON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commemorate the life 
and service of Douglas L. Eccleston, a Staff Sergeant with the United 
States Air Force, who lost his life on December 7, 2001, while 
performing a rescue mission 1,000 miles off the coast of Florida. His 
heroic action successfully saved the life of a critically ill sailor.
  Mr. Eccleston honorably served his country for 15 years and was a 
member of the elite Pararescue team assigned to the 920th Rescue Group 
at Patrick Air Force Base in Satellite Beach, Florida. His service 
included military action in Operation Just Cause and Operation Desert 
Storm as a Combat Controller.
  During the first part of his career, Doug was a combat controller, an 
airman who helps direct air strikes from the ground, often in hazardous 
territory. During the last part of his career, Doug worked to become a 
Pararescue, also known as a ``PJ'', an airman who rescues downed 
aviators anywhere in the world under any conditions.
  Mr. Eccleston's military decorations include: Air Force Commendation 
Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal, Air Force Reserve Meritorious 
Service Medal, and National Defense Medal.
  Doug is survived by his wife, Stacie, his loving parents David and 
Donna Eccleston and sisters Dana Mohr and Dianna Coulton. Several 
hundred people attended the memorial service that was conducted at 
Pelican Beach Park in Satellite Beach, Florida, on December 11, 2001. 
Funeral services were held in Midland, Texas on December 13, 2001.
  Doug will be remembered by those who loved him as a fun loving, 
caring man. His life's passions included family and surfing. In memory 
of Doug Eccleston's love of surfing,

[[Page E2378]]

six of Eccleston's surfing buddies and fellow airmen paddled out on 
surfboards into the Atlantic Ocean and cast a wreath on the water. Our 
thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.
  ``There's no greater gift than giving your life so that another may 
live,'' said Chief Master Sgt. Greg Lowdermilk. ``He gave the ultimate 
sacrifice and we'll always remember him for that. We've lost another 
great American.'' We will all miss him. Doug Eccleston is a true hero.

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