[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 27 (Thursday, February 13, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E248-E249]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            TRIBUTE TO CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER MARK S. O'STEEN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. TERRY EVERETT

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 13, 2003

  Mr. EVERETT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an American 
hero, Chief Warrant Officer Mark S. O'Steen, of Ozark, Alabama, in my 
congressional district. An Army Special Forces helicopter pilot, he 
recently gave his life in service to our nation during Operation 
Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.
  On January 30, while piloting a training mission flight in an MH-60 
Black Hawk helicopter, Mark O'Steen and three of his comrades lost 
their lives when their aircraft went down east of Bagram Air Force 
Base. Their sacrifices were not in vain.
  Mark O'Steen was and remains an inspiration to all of us, living his 
life for God and country. Highly motivated and talented, he followed in 
the footsteps of his late father and older brothers in pursing a 
military career.
  An excellent athlete, linguist, military pilot, husband, father, and 
son, Mark O'Steen embodied the best of Alabama and our nation. He was 
proud of his work and did not let the ever-present risk inherent in 
military service worry him.
  I join our Commander-in-Chief in offering the nation's gratitude for 
Mark's service and

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sacrifice to protect and preserve our freedoms. I also pass along my 
heartfelt condolences to Mark's family. This nation will be forever 
grateful to you.

                          ____________________