[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 124 (Thursday, September 19, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1349]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING THE LIFE AND DEDICATED SERVICE OF MASTER SERGEANT NAVID 
                                GARSHASB

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 19, 2013

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
life of Master Sergeant Navid Garshasb who passed away on September 4 
after a long battle with brain cancer. Master Sergeant Garshasb was a 
proud resident of Navarre, Florida where he retired from the United 
States Air Force after courageously serving our Nation with honor and 
distinction.
  Born in Shiraz, Iran, Master Sergeant Garshasb moved to the United 
States at the age of 12 and joined the Air Force eight years later. He 
started his military career as a member of the 834th Civil Engineering 
Squadron at Hurlburt Field. In the years to come, he would be stationed 
at bases in Michigan and Louisiana and even served on the Bossier City 
Police Department Reserve Officer Unit in Louisiana where he was named 
Reserve Officer of the Year.
  Master Sergeant Garshasb realized his true calling when he returned 
to Hurlburt Field to serve as an Airborne Cryptologic Linguist with the 
25th Intelligence Squadron. He used his fluency in six languages to 
assist the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the wake of the September 
11, 2001 attack on the World Trade Center, and soon thereafter he was 
on his way to Afghanistan. In November 2001, after his aircraft crash 
landed on an embankment in Afghanistan, he helped save the lives of his 
fellow crewmembers by using his knowledge of languages native to the 
region. For his actions, he was awarded the Bronze Star for Valor and 
the Air Force Sergeants Association William H. Pitsenbarger Heroism 
Award, which recognizes the heroic acts of an enlisted member who saved 
a life or prevented serious injury. Master Sergeant Garshasb's actions 
throughout his career earned him numerous additional awards which 
further highlight his exemplary service to this Nation, and I am proud 
that he called Northwest Florida home.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, it gives me 
great pride to honor the life and service of Master Sergeant Navid 
Garshasb. My wife Vicki joins me in extending our most sincere 
condolences to Master Sergeant Garshasb's wife, Joani; their sons, 
Shahine and Andrew; and their entire family. He will truly be missed by 
all who were fortunate enough to have known him.

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