[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 97 (Thursday, June 12, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1227]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       TRIBUTE TO CHRISTOPHER TROUVE, COLONEL, UNITED STATES ARMY

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                            HON. BART STUPAK

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 12, 2008

  Mr. STUPAK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay special tribute to a 
man who has served our Nation with dignity, pride, and honor. With that 
in mind, I ask that all of my colleagues join me in celebrating the 
retirement of Colonel Christopher Trouve of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. 
Colonel Trouve will retire on June 25, 2008 after a distinguished 25-
year career with the United States Army.
  Col. Christopher Trouve was born in Nurnberg, Germany on February 4, 
1961, as one of the three children of Lt. Col. (Retired) Raymond and 
Clare Trouve, while his father was serving as a captain in the U.S. 
Army. Christopher grew up traveling the world until his father retired 
from the Army and settled the family in Sault Ste. Marie. Christopher 
attended and subsequently graduated from the Sault Area High School.
  Colonel Trouve began his military career at Michigan State University 
through an Army Reserve Officer Training Corps scholarship. Following 
graduation, as a Distinguished Military Graduate, Colonel Trouve was 
commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Field Artillery branch of the 
Army.
  Following in his father's footsteps, Christopher attended the Officer 
Rotary Wing Aviator Course at Fort Rucker, Alabama. After graduating 
from flight school, Christopher was assigned to the 159th Aviation 
Support Helicopter Battalion, 101st Airborne Division. It was during 
this first unit assignment that he was promoted to captain, developed 
his skills as a combat aviator and combined arms tactician, and was 
recognized by the Army's Aviation Resource Management Survey Team for 
managing a ``superior'' flight operation.
  In August 1987, he volunteered for duty as the Operations Officer for 
the Aviation Company of the Logistics Support Unit, Sinai, Egypt in 
support of the Multinational Force and Observers. Shortly thereafter he 
took command of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 7th Battalion, 
101st Aviation Regiment (Heavy Lift) and deployed the unit to Saudi 
Arabia in support of Operation Desert Shield.
  During Operation Desert Storm, Colonel Trouve flew as a Night Vision 
Goggle Combat Crew Pilot-in-Command of a CH-47D heavy lift helicopter. 
During this tour he flew more than 60 hours in combat missions. For his 
service and leadership, he was awarded two Air Medals and the Bronze 
Star.
  During his career, Colonel Trouve also took command of the Charlie 
Company, 228th Aviation Regiment, the Alpha Company ``Predators,'' 7th 
Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment, and the 2d Battalion (Heavy Lift), 
52d Aviation Regiment ``Nightmare.'' As a commander, Christopher 
provided leadership, innovation, and inspiration in operations, 
training, and maintenance. He helped his crews increase night vision 
goggle flying time, sustain high operation tempos, and maintain high 
operational readiness.
  Christopher earned a Master of Arts in Management at the Command and 
General Staff College in 1997 and was promoted to Colonel in October 
2005 while attending the Air War College, where he graduated with a 
Master's Degree in Strategic Studies.
  Colonel Trouve is currently serving in his final assignment as the 
Deputy Director, Technology Management Office, Office of the Chief of 
Staff at the Pentagon where he is responsible for oversight of all 
Secretary of the Army-designated sensitive activities.
  Madam Speaker, Colonel Christopher Trouve has served the U.S. Army 
with distinction for 25 yeas. During his career as a commissioned 
officer, Colonel Trouve has flown almost 2,500 hours and earned the 
distinction as a Master Army Aviator. In 2002, he was inducted into the 
Honorable Order of Saint Michael, Bronze Award by the Army Aviation 
Association of America for ``outstanding contributions to the community 
of Army Aviation.''
  On June 25, 2008, family, friends, and fellow members of the Army 
will gather to celebrate a well-deserved retirement for Colonel 
Christopher Trouve. As Christopher prepares to enter retirement, I 
offer him, his wife Nancy, and his two sons all the best for the 
future. I ask, Madam Speaker, that you and the entire U.S. House of 
Representatives join me in thanking Colonel Christopher Trouve for his 
service to the United States Army and our Nation and in commending him 
for the many years of his life he has spent in service to others.

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