[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 68 (Friday, May 26, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1001]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO JAMES J. VINCENT, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BART STUPAK

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 25, 2006

  Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a man of 
honor, faith, family, and selfless service. On April 13, James (Jim) J. 
Vincent, Jr. lost his life when the County Rescue helicopter he was 
piloting had a catastrophic failure.
  Jim Vincent was a native of my home town of Menominee, Michigan. Jim 
excelled at high school sports and developed discipline, leadership, 
and respect at an early age. He enlisted in the United States Navy, 
where he spent 6 years serving his country. Wanting to become a pilot, 
he joined the United States Coast Guard, received world-class training, 
and began flying search and rescue missions.
  I had the pleasure of working with Jim when he moved to Traverse 
City, Michigan, and was based out of the Coast Guard Air Station 
Traverse City. On a couple of occasions I flew with Jim. His skills as 
a pilot were impeccable. He took his job seriously, and Jim was the 
consummate professional. He had an ability to relate and work well with 
officers, enlisted men, and civilians. He treated everyone with respect 
and was always willing to lend a hand.
  There are countless stories of Jim helping others with everything 
from re-wiring their homes, to work at the local American Legion, to 
helping friends pack up and move during relocation for work. One of the 
more touching stories about Jim was told by a fellow Coast Guardsman 
who went through officer training school with him. This cadet was at a 
point where he wasn't sure if he could complete the training. During 
one particularly difficult training task, Jim put his arm around his 
classmate and told him ``You know what, it's gonna be all right.'' That 
classmate found strength in Jim's words and managed to complete officer 
training school. He went on to become Cmdr. Sam Creech, who is now the 
operations officer at Jim's old base, Coast Guard Air Station Traverse 
City.
  After 20 years of combined service in the Navy and Coast Guard, Jim 
and his family moved back home to Menominee where they could be near 
their extended family and build their dream home. Jim, his wife Gina, 
their sons, Jim III and Luke, and their daughter, Vanessa, worked 
together on construction of their home overlooking the waters of Green 
Bay. They put a lot of sweat and love into the home.
  Jim worked for a while as a contract employee for the Navy at the 
Marinette Marine shipyard, just across the Michigan/Wisconsin border 
from Menominee. However, Jim wanted to continue to fly helicopters. In 
the summer of 2004 he landed a job with County Rescue flying Eagle III, 
an emergency air and ground transportation program, which provides 
Critical Care level treatments during rapid transport of critically ill 
or injured patients. The job was just outside Green Bay, Wisconsin, 
which required days away from home. Jim found the job very rewarding 
and by all accounts, he quickly earned the respect and admiration of 
his peers. While he was serious about his job, he also had a great 
sense of humor--often playing pranks on co-workers.
  Mr. Speaker, for anyone who works in the military there are 
significant sacrifices that their families make in terms of time away 
from the family. While Jim did need to spend time away from his family 
throughout his career, he always had a deep love for his family. Jim 
had a strong faith in God and was an active member of Holy Redeemer 
Catholic Church. He and Gina believe in the power of God. In February 
they attended a conference put on by Father John Corapi and Jim was 
fond of Father Corapi's teachings. Now, as Gina, Jim III, Luke, and 
Vanessa struggle to move forward with their lives, they have turned to 
God for strength and comfort, With this strong faith, support from 
family and friends, and with time, I am confident that they will find 
the strength to persevere.
  As we commemorate this Memorial Day, I am reminded of a beautiful 
sunny summer day in Traverse City when Jim Vincent walked across the 
Coast Guard hanger to greet a veteran who was seated awaiting the start 
of a program. As Jim approached the veteran, he reached out to shake 
the man's hand and simply said, ``Sir, thank you for your service to 
our country.'' The veteran's eyes welled with tears as he replied, 
``You're welcome,'' So as I conclude Mr. Speaker let me simply say 
``Jim, thank you for your service to our country.''

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