[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 60 (Thursday, May 5, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E829]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING CAPT. CHARLES E. RIDGLEY, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. C.A. DUTCH RUPPERSBERGER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 5, 2011

  Mr. RUPPERSBERGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to mourn the 
loss and honor the life of Army Captain Charles E. Ridgley, Jr., who 
died April 16, 2011, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
  A Maryland resident, Captain Ridgley was serving in Nangarhar 
Province, Afghanistan, and died of injuries sustained from a grenade 
attack by a suicide bomber on Forward Operating Base Gamberi. Four 
other brave American soldiers were killed in the attack.
  At the time of his death, Captain Ridgley was assigned to the 17th 
Combat Support Battalion, based in Fort Richardson, Alaska. He had just 
two weeks left of his first overseas assignment before he was due to 
come home.
  After overcoming a challenging childhood, Captain Ridgley joined the 
Army after earning his diploma from Walbrook Senior High School. He was 
inspired by his uncle's military service in the U.S. Air Force and 
participated in ROTC at Walbrook. He was commissioned a quartermaster 
officer in January 2007 and was assigned to Fort Richardson. While 
there, he earned his Bachelor's Degree in business administration with 
a concentration in global logistics from the University of Alaska. He 
was working toward his Master's Degree when he was deployed to 
Afghanistan.
  Known as responsible and family-oriented, Captain Ridgley took great 
pride in his daughter and great care of his mother. Captain Ridgley 
also worked as a martial arts instructor who enjoyed mentoring the 
children of fellow soldiers. He deeply valued education and ethics.
  Mr. Speaker, many Maryland soldiers have died in support of the 
global war on terror. Once again, we hang our heads with sorrow at the 
loss of another life. I ask that you join with me today to honor the 
life and memory of Captain Ridgley, a true Maryland hero.
  Captain Ridgley will be forever remembered as a dedicated soldier who 
greatly loved his country and faithfully served his fellow Americans by 
fighting for this great nation. He risked his life to serve our country 
and deserves our unending admiration and appreciation.

                          ____________________