[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 154 (Tuesday, November 30, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2011]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING KEVIN RIDLEY

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. DEBBIE WASSERMAN SCHULTZ

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 30, 2010

  Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Kevin 
Ridley on the occasion of his retirement after more than 40 years of 
service to our Nation and his community.
  While I have no doubt Kevin has many new exciting chapters left to 
write in his life, I take this moment to commemorate his achievements 
of the last 4 decades.
  Kevin Ridley is the son of an Air Force colonel and learned early in 
life the meaning of commitment to country and family. Following in his 
father's footsteps, Kevin enlisted in the Air Force in late 1968, after 
graduating high school in Tokyo, Japan.
  Trained as a weapons loader for A-7 and F-100 jet fighters, Kevin was 
stationed at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona for 2 years before doing a 
tour of duty during the Vietnam War. While in Vietnam during 1971 and 
into 1972, he saw time in both Saigon and Da Nang.
  Following his honorable discharge from the Air Force later in 1972, 
Kevin continued to serve our Nation as a member of the National Guard, 
compiling a remarkable 26 years of military service. In the National 
Guard, he served as a full-time civilian weapons technician and was 
stationed for 17 years at Otis Air Force Base in Cape Cod, 
Massachusetts.
  I know that while Kevin Ridley possesses a fierce determination to 
excel, he is also a humble man, much like many of our Nation's military 
personnel. He would never seek to tout his own accomplishments. 
However, I am proud to tell you tell you that Kevin consistently stood 
out during his military service, accumulating 15 decorations and awards 
during the Vietnam War and in his time with the Air Force Reserve and 
National Guard.
  Beginning in 1989, and continuing through his retirement in December 
of this year, Kevin has worked for the Department of Defense's Defense 
Contract Administration Services as a plant representative with 
Raytheon Corporation in Massachusetts. In that capacity, he has 
continued his service to military defense efforts and his deep 
commitment to the security of the United States. While with the Defense 
Contract Administration Services, he has contributed his expertise to 
over 30 defense programs. He also worked on a program near and dear to 
the State of Florida--NASA's Space Station modules program.
  Most importantly, Kevin is a dedicated family man. He is a loving 
spouse to Andrea Ridley and father of two wonderful children. Andrea is 
an 8th grade math teacher at Franklin Middle School, his daughter 
Alexandra is currently a freshmen at Lynn University in Boca Raton, 
Florida, and his son Phillip is a sophomore in high school in Medfield, 
Massachusetts.
  I'm sure that his friends and family would agree that his record of 
excellence, bravery, and dedication is a living testament to a life 
well lived, and proof that the American dream is alive and well.
  I offer my deepest gratitude to Kevin Ridley for his contributions to 
the fabric of this nation and wish him all the best in his future 
endeavors. Congratulations, Kevin.

                          ____________________