[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 118 (Friday, August 3, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1409]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING MASTER CHIEF PETTY OFFICER (RET.) JOHN R. BRINKHEIDE AND 
      HIS MORE THAN 20 YEARS OF HONORABLE SERVICE TO THE U.S. NAVY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 2, 2012

  Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend Master 
Chief Petty Officer (Ret.) John Robert Brinkheide for his more than 20 
years of honorable and courageous service to the United States Navy, 
his subsequent 17 years of service as a contractor supporting the 
Department of Defense, and his continued service to our community. We 
are fortunate to have among us veterans with MCPO Brinkheide's sense of 
duty and continued commitment to public service.
   MCPO Brinkheide enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1962 and completed 
electronics school the same year. From 1962 to 1964 he served aboard 
the USS Semmes, a ship he describes as truly unique, tied together by a 
crew committed to doing good. His service aboard the USS Semmes 
instilled in him his sense of professionalism and ethics that guided 
him throughout the entirety of his military and professional career. He 
attended advanced electronics school in 1965 upon leaving the USS 
Semmes and then served for three years in Vietnam aboard an in-river 
LST. After completing his tour in Vietnam, MCPO Brinkheide served 
aboard the USS America from 1969 to 1976 and was promoted to Master 
Chief Petty Officer. MCPO Brinkheide's last few years at sea were 
served aboard the USS Nashville as the Electronics Material Officer 
from 1976 to 1980. MCPO Brinkheide spent his last year with the Navy 
working on strategic communications for the Naval Electronic Systems 
Command performing oversight of electronic equipment acquisitions.
   After retiring from the Navy in 1981, he began a long career as a 
contractor supporting the Department of Defense, specializing in 
systems acquisitions. Since retiring from the Navy, Mr. Brinkheide has 
actively worked to better his community through the Knights of Columbus 
and served as the Grand Knight of the John Paul I Council of Dale City, 
Virginia, from 2006 to 2007. MCPO Brinkheide also worked tirelessly for 
24 years to help organize and implement the Prince William County Tree 
Trimming Day of Remembrance, a ceremony held to honor those who died in 
alcohol- and drug-related vehicle crashes.
   Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues rise to join me in recognizing 
and thanking John R. Brinkheide for his steadfast and selfless service 
to our country and our community.

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