[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 20 (Tuesday, February 7, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Page S386]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO MARK HAMILL

 Mr. TESTER. Mr. President, today I wish to honor Mark Hamill, 
a native Montanan and a veteran of Operation Desert Shield and Desert 
Storm.
  It is my honor to share the story of Mark's service during the first 
gulf war. Mark was in the Army Reserves as a helicopter crew chief. In 
the fall of 1990, he was assigned to a Medivac unit and deployed to 
Saudi Arabia.
  As a helicopter crew chief, Mark was responsible for making sure the 
Medivac helicopters were ready to fly at a moment's notice. Two 
helicopters went to Bahrain and two were on standby to go north for 
Medivac calls.
  When Mark returned to the United States, the maintenance platoon 
never got their medals from the U.S. Army. The pilots and medics from 
the helicopters did but the men and women who were responsible for the 
safety of the helicopters were forgotten about.
  Earlier this month, in the presence of Mark's wife, parents, and 
friends, it was my honor to correct this oversight and finally present 
Mark with the medals he earned nearly 20 years ago.
  I presented to Mark the Southwest Asia Service Medal with Three 
Bronze Stars, and the Overseas Service Ribbon.
  I also had the honor of presenting to Mark the Kuwait Liberation 
Medal--Saudi Arabia, and the Kuwait Liberation Medal--Kuwait.
  These four decorations are small tokens, but they are powerful 
symbols of true heroism, sacrifice, and dedication to service.
  These medals are presented on behalf of a grateful nation.

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