[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 35 (Wednesday, March 9, 2011)]
[House]
[Pages H1642-H1643]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            SOMBER ANNIVERSARY OF NATIONAL GUARD PLANE CRASH

  (Mr. RIGELL asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. RIGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the anniversary 
of the single largest loss of members of the National Guard since World 
War II.
  Ten years ago last week, the Virginia Beach community and, really, 
the entire country suffered a tremendous loss when 21 National Guard 
members perished when their helicopter crashed in southern Georgia 
during a rainstorm. Eighteen of those members were from Camp 
Pendleton's Red Horse Guard Unit in Virginia Beach, and it included my 
good friend Paul Cramer.
  My constituent Elayne Schmuckler reached out to our office to share 
her brother's story. Richard's honorable legacy lives on today, as does 
the legacy of every guardsman who perished on that flight.
  My thoughts and prayers are with the families today on this somber 
anniversary. The selfless service of their

[[Page H1643]]

loved ones and their service to our country will not be forgotten.
  May God bless them and comfort them.

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