[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 95 (Thursday, June 21, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Page S4414]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               TRIBUTE TO LIEUTENANT COLONEL BARRY GASDEK

  Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, today I wish to honor LTC Barry Gasdek, 
Retired, for his decades of service to Wyoming and to America.
  As Walter Lippmann once said, ``The final test of a leader is that he 
leaves behind him in other men the conviction and the will to carry 
on.'' In his 49 years of service to our country, Barry's proven 
dedication and loyalty have touched hundreds of lives. From his 
extensive active duty service in the U.S. Army to his quest to aid the 
veterans of Wyoming, Mr. Gasdek is a true Wyoming hero.
  Barry's path to Wyoming is similar to the historic trails that cross 
Wyoming's terrain--he started out in the east and eventually headed 
west. Barry showed the strong will and discipline of a natural born 
leader. Growing up in Pennsylvania, he excelled as an athlete and a 
scholar. He earned the rank of Eagle Scout in high school. At the 
Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where he graduated with a B.S. in 
education, he earned letters in three sports. All of these honors 
prepared him for a lifetime of service to his country.
  Barry's passion and devotion to the armed forces sparked a 
distinguished career with the U.S. Army. Barry started his career 
serving in Germany, fresh from the ROTC program, where he gained 
firsthand experience of Cold War tensions. Later, he was called to 
serve in Vietnam as the conflict there worsened. Barry proved himself 
in Vietnam. He flew observation missions and eventually returned for a 
second tour of duty. One of his commanders joked that he was like a 
magnet for drawing fire. Despite the adversity he faced, Barry met his 
challenges head-on and with fortitude. He continued his military 
service well after Vietnam by training to become both a Ranger and a 
Pathfinder and by serving at a number of Army bases around the world.
  He is a qualified leader, and his military achievements reflect his 
success. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, an award 
second only to the Medal of Honor. In addition, Barry received the 
Silver Star for his service in Vietnam, 5 Bronze Stars, 2 Purple 
Hearts, the Soldier's Medal, the Legion of Honor, and 17 Air Medals. 
These awards are but a few of his military accomplishments.
  After many years of successfully serving his country, Barry accepted 
another challenge--this time in Laramie, WY. He was assigned as a 
professor of military science at the University of Wyoming through its 
Army ROTC program. Barry was a natural for the title, given his own 
involvement in the ROTC program in Pennsylvania. He brought the same 
level of talent and perseverance to this position as he did on the 
battlefield. For years, he encouraged his students to become our 
Nation's future leaders.
  While many would be comfortable slipping into retirement, Barry knew 
his mission in Wyoming had not yet been completed. This time, he took 
up the banner to fight for veterans' issues. He had experienced the 
lack of support for Vietnam's veterans, and he vowed to keep that from 
happening again. Barry served in leadership positions with the American 
Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Disabled American Veterans, 
and the Military Order of the Purple Heart. His goal was to support the 
State's current veterans while teaching the next generation about the 
important sacrifices our Armed Forces make each and every day. 
Eventually, his passionate advocacy led him to serve as a State 
veterans service officer for the Wyoming Veterans Commission, the UW 
Veterans Task Force, and as the Army Reserve ambassador.
  LTC Barry Gasdek, Retired, has devoted his entire life to serving his 
country, his brothers in arms, and the people of Wyoming. He is a 
fighter, a mentor, a teacher, and a good man. He embodies the cowboy 
ethics and what it means to be a citizen of Wyoming. It is certain that 
the legacy of his leadership will inspire new generations of brave 
soldiers. On behalf of the State of Wyoming and the United States of 
America, I thank Barry for his service. His boots will be hard to fill.

                          ____________________