[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 21 (Wednesday, February 25, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E222]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING BRIGADIER GENERAL BRADFORD C. BRIGHTMAN ON THE OCCASION OF HIS 
                               RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 25, 2004

  Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize one of the 
exemplary servicemen who has served the great State of Alabama and our 
country in ensuring freedom for the American people. Brigadier General 
Bradford C. Brightman has not only offered his knowledge and expertise 
to the Nation while serving, but he has taught the men and women who 
have served under him to do the same. Today I wish to recognize his 
numerous accomplishments and honor his distinguished career on the 
occasion of his retirement from the United States Army.
  General Brightman served our country for 1 year as a combat engineer 
enlisted man and then was commissioned on May 16, 1969, after 
completing the United States Army Engineer Officer Candidate School. He 
served on active duty from May 1969 until July 1975, during which time 
he spent 19 months of combat aviation duty with the 1st Aviation 
Brigade in Vietnam. He also served as an Operations Officer and Flight 
Instructor at the United States Army Aviation School, Fort Rucker, 
Alabama, before leaving active duty in August 1975 and joining the 
Alabama National Guard.
  As a member of the National Guard, General Brightman served his 
country in a number of aviation unit assignments and in staff positions 
with group and higher headquarters. These positions have also included 
assignments as the Deputy Commander of the 62nd Troop Command in 
Montgomery and Commander of the 226th Area Support Group in Mobile, 
Alabama.
  General Brightman has received numerous awards during his service 
including the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air 
Medal, the Army Reserve Components Achievements Medal, the National 
Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the Humanitarian 
Service Medal. He has also been awarded the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, 
the Army Service Ribbon, the Army Reserve Components Overseas Training 
Ribbon, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Republic of Vietnam 
Civil Action Unit Citation, Master Army Aviator Badge, Senior Army 
Aviator Badge, Veterans Service Medal of Alabama, Special Service Medal 
of Alabama, and the Faithful Service Medal of Alabama.
  In addition to his successful military career, General Brightman has 
also achieved success in the academic arena, earning a degree in civil 
engineering from Auburn University in 1977 and his MBA from Troy State 
University in 1985. He attended three military educational facilities 
including Army Command and General Staff College, Associate Logistics 
Executive Development Course, and the Army War College. In 1992, 
General Brightman received the United States Civilian Achievement Award 
for his participation in the writing of the Panama Canal Treaty 
Implementation Plan. Currently, General Brightman works as a Senior 
Project Manager with a management and engineering services company in 
Mobile.
  Mr. Speaker, Brigadier General Bradford C. Brightman has selflessly 
offered his life and services for his country. It is for this devotion 
that I would like to extend our most sincere thanks and gracious 
appreciation on the occasion of his retirement. While the United States 
Army National Guard will certainly miss the benefit of his leadership 
and experience, I know I join with his family and many friends and 
colleagues in wishing him continued success in the years ahead.

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