[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 79 (Thursday, May 21, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1229]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                   HONORING COLONEL SCOTT VANDER HAMM

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. STEPHANIE HERSETH SANDLIN

                            of south dakota

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 21, 2009

  Ms. HERSETH SANDLIN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Colonel 
Scott Vander Hamm, commander of the 28th Bomb Wing at Ellsworth Air 
Force Base in South Dakota, for his commendable record of service to 
our country. Colonel Vander Hamm is leaving Ellsworth for a new 
assignment, but his efforts have left a lasting impact on Ellsworth, my 
state of South Dakota, and the security of our country.
  Over the course of a career that has seen him earn the Distinguished 
Flying Cross and the Bronze Star, Colonel Vander Hamm has logged more 
than 4,200 hours as a pilot, which adds up to 167 days in the air. He 
has the flown the B-52, the B-2 and now the B-1. He flew a combat 
mission the first night of Operation Iraqi Freedom, a mission Col. 
Vander Hamm has referred to as one of his most memorable flights. As 
the 7th Operations Group Commander, Colonel Vander Hamm also led planes 
in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, and the expeditionary group 
he commanded flew over 900 combat and combat support missions.
  However, Colonel Vander Hamm describes himself as an officer first 
and an aviator second. At Ellsworth, he commanded the largest B-1 
combat wing in the U.S. Air Force, with 29 aircraft and more than 4,300 
personnel. His organizational skills and drive kept that force in top 
shape, ready to respond to a crisis at a moment's notice.
  He's also a proud family man. His wife Joanna, seven daughters and 
four sons have all helped shape the Colonel into a great leader of men 
and women. The Vander Hamms have become an important part of the 
Ellsworth family and their looming absence will be felt by the entire 
base.
  The leadership and diligence shown by Colonel Vander Hamm and our 
nation's other military commanders are second to none. I am personally 
immensely grateful for the values and honor that soldiers such as he 
have instilled in the fabric of our society. And I am sure the people 
of South Dakota and the entire country join me in thanking him for his 
sacrifices in helping keep all of us safe.
  Madam Speaker, it is with enduring pride and respect that I rise 
today in recognition of Col. Vander Hamm and his service at Ellsworth 
Air Force Base. The state of South Dakota will miss him, but we are all 
fortunate that his service to our nation continues.

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