[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 110 (Tuesday, July 21, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S7774]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES


        Command Master Chief Petty Officer Jeffrey James Garber

  Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. Mr. President, I rise today to honor Navy 
Command Master Chief Jeffrey James Garber who passed away aboard the 
USS Eisenhower on June 20, 2009.
  Originally from Hemingford, NE, Master Chief Garber enlisted in the 
Navy in December 1983. His career was an impressive one. At sea his 
assignments included time aboard the USS Worden, USS Nimitz, USS 
Portland, and Strike Fighter Squadron 34; and he had been assigned to 
the USS Eisenhower since June 2008. The Eisenhower is currently 
operating in the Arabian Sea in support of Operation Enduring Freedom 
and maritime security operations.
  Master Chief Garber's military awards include the Meritorious Service 
Medal: Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal; Navy/Marine Corps 
Achievement Medal, six; Meritorious Unit Commendation; Good Conduct 
Medal, five; Navy Expeditionary Medal; National Defense Service Medal, 
two; Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, 
two; Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, six; And Navy Recruiting Service 
Ribbon.
  On June 20, Command Master Chief Jeffrey James Garber was found 
unresponsive in a berthing space aboard the carrier, USS Dwight D. 
Eisenhower. When he was found unresponsive in his stateroom at 
approximately 8:15 A.M. local time, a medical emergency was declared; 
and medical personnel were on the scene within minutes. Sadly, all 
efforts to revive him were unsuccessful, and Master Chief Garber was 
pronounced dead of natural causes at 8:23 A.M. He was 43 years old. 
Command Master Chief Garber has been posthumously awarded the Legion of 
Merit medal, recognizing his accomplishments as Command Master Chief 
and his 24 years of service to our Nation.
  Command Master Chief Garber leaves behind his wife Amy, (Vogt) 
Garber, and his three children, Tayler, Paige and Josh, all of Virginia 
Beach; his parents Larry and JoAnn Kuester of York, NE; and his 
brothers Joel and Jon. Throughout his career, those who knew him, 
admired Master Chief Garber's professionalism, but also, genuinely 
liked him. He will forever be remembered by his family and friends as 
not only the epitome of what a command master chief should be, but 
primarily a loving husband, father, and son. I join all Nebraskans 
today in mourning the loss of Command Master Chief Garber and offering 
our deepest condolences to his family.

                          ____________________