[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 148 (Wednesday, October 5, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1771]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


 COMMENDING J. OSCAR WARD AND MEMBERS OF THE GREATER IRVING REPUBLICAN 
                                  CLUB

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. KENNY MARCHANT

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, October 5, 2011

  Mr. MARCHANT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend Mr. J. Oscar Ward 
of Irving, Texas, President of the Greater Irving Republican Club, and 
its members for their concern and respect for our Soldiers, Sailors, 
Airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen that are serving in harm's way. I 
appreciate their efforts in calling attention to the unfortunate extra 
challenges faced by the surviving family of Chief Warrant Officer 
Bradley Gaudet of Gladewater, Texas.
  Chief Warrant Officer Gaudet was killed from injuries sustained in a 
helicopter crash on June 5, 2011 in Afghanistan. His surviving family 
faced significant hurdles and resistance from the military in 
transferring his body from Ft. Drum, New York to its final resting 
place in Gladewater, Texas. These are challenges that should never be a 
concern to a grieving family. I appreciate President J. Oscar Ward and 
the members of the Greater Irving Republican Club for their firm 
resolve in calling attention to the burial of Chief Warrant Officer 
Gaudet.
  I would like to further recognize the assistance and kindness of 
Southwest Airlines for flying the body of this fallen hero from New 
York to Texas for his final resting place. Without their assistance, 
this situation could have been even worse for all of Chief Warrant 
Officer Gaudet's surviving family and loved ones.
  We should never allow a situation similar to what happened to Chief 
Warrant Officer Gaudet to ever be experienced again by a grieving 
family. I call on my colleagues to help ensure that every possible 
consideration is made for every surviving family. I am requesting that 
any rules and regulations that may preclude the proper burial at the 
location of the surviving family's choosing of a brave American hero be 
promptly changed. We must avoid anything similar to this ever occurring 
again.

                          ____________________