[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 127 (Friday, October 8, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Pages S10819-S10820]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          A NOTE OF GRATITUDE

  Mr. PRYOR. Mr. President, I rise today to acknowledge the assistance 
and support one soldier's family has shown him during his 26 years of 
service in the United States Army. Lieutenant Colonel Andy Lucas, 
currently serving with J37, Joint Task Force Global Network Operations, 
is the oldest of Andrew and Shirley Lucas' five children. The entire 
family attend the University of Arkansas, making me particularly proud 
because that is my alma mater, and Mr. Lucas and three of his children 
have bravely served our country in the military.
  Lieutenant Colonel Lucas wrote to me on the occasion of his 
retirement

[[Page S10820]]

and asked that I write to each of his family members in an effort to 
show them how grateful he is for their love and support over the last 
26 year. He writes.
  My family is fantastic, personal bias aside. Throughout my entire 
time in the military, they have always been there to support me and 
provide that emotional stability during deployments in both peace and 
crisis. Everything that I have accomplished in the military and in life 
can be attributed to the upbringing, love, and support by my parents 
coupled with the love and support from my brothers and sister. I am 
truly blessed to have such a wonderful family . . .
  Our country is blessed to have you, too, Andrew and Shirley Lucas; 
Ernest and Carole Lucas; Lieutenant Colonel John and Coleen, John Jr., 
Kevin, Bryan, and Andrea Lucas; Jim and Cathy, Linden and Weston 
Spalding; Thomas and Sara, Darcy and Will Lucas; and April Kulda-Lucas 
and Christopher Drew, LTC Lucas' wife and son. It is extremely hard on 
our men and women in uniform to deal with the ups and downs of military 
life, but it is family members like you that help them through it, 
which is why I am happy to honor LTC Lucas' request and say thank you 
for your service to our country.

                          ____________________