[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 21 (Tuesday, February 3, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E180]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              TRIBUTE TO BRIGADIER GENERAL MARK ZIRKELBACH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM LATHAM

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 3, 2009

  Mr. LATHAM. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the retirement of 
Brigadier General Mark Zirkelbach, the Deputy Adjutant General of the 
Iowa Army National Guard, and to express my appreciation for his 
dedication and commitment to his state and country.
  For the last 39 years, BG Zirkelbach has served faithfully and 
honorably. BG Zirkelbach enlisted in the Iowa Army National Guard in 
the Non-ROTC College Student State OCS Program at Iowa State University 
in 1970. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural 
Business from Iowa State University in 1970 and graduated from the 
United States Army War College in 1998.
  In 1972, BG Zirkelbach was commissioned and qualified as Field 
Artillery and Signal Corps and commanded in both branches. He served as 
Commander, 67th Troop Command, Iowa Army National Guard and entered the 
Title 32 AGR Program in 1985. BG Zirkelbach also served as Chief of 
Staff, Iowa Army National Guard, where he directed and supervised the 
activities of the State Area Command, Iowa Army National Guard Staff.
  BG Zirkelbach has a long list of military awards and decorations 
which include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Army 
Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Component 
Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Humanitarian Service 
Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and Army 
Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon.
  I commend Brigadier General Mark Zirkelbach for his many years of 
loyalty and service to our great nation. It is an immense honor to 
represent BG Zirkelbach, and it has been a pleasure working with him 
during my time in the United States Congress. I wish him a happy 
retirement from the Iowa Army National Guard and all the best in his 
future endeavors.

                          ____________________