[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 123 (Thursday, September 13, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1519]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING MASTER CHIEF PETTY OFFICER (RET.) JOHN R. BRINKHEIDE FOR 
      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, September 13, 2012

  Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank and 
commend Master Chief Petty Officer (Ret.) John Robert Brinkheide, of 
Dale City, Virginia, for his more than 20 years of honorable and 
courageous service to the United States Navy, his subsequent 17 years 
of service supporting the Department of Defense in the private sector, 
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 its mission and one another. 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 
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 working 
for 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 for his ongoing contributions to the betterment of 
our community.

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