[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 104 (Wednesday, July 27, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1648]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING COLONEL BILL GUINN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BILL SHUSTER

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 27, 2005

  Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Colonel Bill Guinn, 
Commander of Letterkenny Army Depot in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. 
Colonel Guinn, hailing from San Bernardino, California has served for 
an unprecedented 3 years as Commander of the base.
  July 29th 2005, will complete his command duty, after which he will 
undoubtably enter into yet another endeavor that will highlight his 
talents as a true patriot and courageous defender of freedom. He has 
commanded the 123rd Main Support Battalion, 1st Armored Division in 
Bosnia, Croatia, and Germany, and has been honored with the Defense 
Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit Medal, the NATO Medal, and 
the Army Achievement Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster.
  During his tenure Colonel Guinn supported NATO missions in Bosnia of 
utmost importance for the Implementation Force and Stabilization Force. 
During his time in Bosnia, Colonel Guinn was given the task of 
supporting and protecting units and outposts spread across the terrain 
assigned to Task Force Eagle, of NATO. This would prove a perilous job, 
as much of the land was still active with mines.
  With unwavering courage and spirit, Colonel Guinn deployed his troops 
on numerous occasions through dangerous territory in order to defend 
and support others, all in the name of protecting freedom and liberty. 
After 26 months of tough command duty, Colonel Guinn was chosen to 
attend the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. He spent the year 
furthering his already vast knowledge and expertise in military 
service.
  This education would come in handy in June of 1999, when he assumed 
responsibility of coordinating the United States' support in the 
fledgling nation of East Timor. A daunting task, the region was strife 
with civil unrest and armed conflict due to its newly found 
independence. In addition to the civil aggregation, matters were made 
more complicated due to the fact that National Command Authority did 
not want the United States to lead the mission. However, due to Colonel 
Guinn's impeccable diplomatic ability and statesman attributes, he was 
able to plan and execute the first major deployment of contracted 
support to military forces. The mission was a success due to the 
Colonel's personal involvement from inception to conclusion, and helped 
to create a more stable region.
  In July of 2002, Colonel Guinn took command of Letterkenny Army Depot 
in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. At the time of his entrance, Letterkenny 
was at a point of its lowest workload and staffing levels in history, 
due to his expertise, skill and command, Letterkenny's workload, 
efficiency and output as more than doubled. His superior military 
ability, strong patriotism, and unyielding sense of duty give me great 
pride in calling him one of my constituents. The citizens of 
Chambersburg would join me in giving him my proud congratulations on 
his vast accomplishments.

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