[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 35 (Monday, March 5, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E308]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE SERVICE AND SACRIFICE OF LT COL JOHN DARIN LOFTIS, USAF

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 5, 2012

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, it is with deep sympathy and 
solemn gratitude that I rise to pay tribute to a fallen American hero. 
Air Force Lieutenant Colonel John Darin Loftis, of Paducah, Kentucky, 
was killed on February 25 in Kabul, Afghanistan, while working at the 
Afghanistan Ministry of the Interior in support of Operation Enduring 
Freedom. J.D. or Darin, as his family and friends knew him, was 
assigned to Air Force Special Operations Command.
  Lt Col Loftis first entered the Air Force in 1996 as a Space and 
Missile Officer after receiving his commission through Officer Training 
School. In 2008, he became a Regional Affairs Strategist; and in 2009, 
he deployed to Afghanistan with a Provincial Reconstruction Team with a 
mission to help Afghanistan rebuild its infrastructure and secure the 
rule of law within the country. It was during that deployment that his 
fluency in the Pashto language made it possible for him and his team to 
engage directly with local Afghans. This helped both sides establish a 
mutual trust and provided a means to exchange viewpoints and learn 
about each other's culture. In fact, he was so successful that the 
local Afghans gave him the Pashto name: Esan, meaning the quality of 
being generous. During his last deployment, Lt Col Loftis was once 
again working to help U.S. service members bridge the cultural divide 
that separates them from their Afghan and Pakistani counterparts.
  His mission was a noble one and of his dedication to duty, courage of 
heart, and commitment to our great nation, there can be no doubt. To Lt 
Col Loftis' loving wife Holly and his two precious daughters, Alison 
and Camille, my wife Vicki joins me in offering our most sincere 
condolences. We have heard many times and know in our hearts the truth 
that Freedom often demands of us a heavy and at times unbearable price. 
Your husband and father was a living example of the Airman's Creed, ``I 
am an American Airman, guardian of freedom and justice, my nation's 
sword and shield, its sentry and avenger. I defend my Country with my 
life.'' He was a brave man and paid the ultimate price in defense of 
our nation's freedom. For that and for everything he stood for, we owe 
you our eternal gratitude.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of a grateful United States Congress, I stand 
here today to honor Lt Col John Darin Loftis, his service and 
sacrifice, and all of the heroes we have lost. May God continue to 
bless the Loftis family and friends, the AFSOC community, and the 
United States Armed Forces.

                          ____________________