[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 175 (Wednesday, December 11, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1833-E1834]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING ARMY CHAPLAIN COLONEL ERIC OLSEN

                                  _____
                                 

                       HON. CHRISTOPHER P. GIBSON

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 11, 2013

  Mr. GIBSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the honorable and 
distinguished career of Army Chaplain Colonel Eric Olsen. I have had 
the distinct privilege of knowing Colonel Olsen since serving in the 
United States Army.
  Born in Staten Island, Chaplain Olsen entered the United States Army 
in December 1983 through the Pennsylvania National Guard. He completed 
the Chaplain Candidate Course in 1985 and was subsequently ordained by 
the Evangelical Lutheran Church in 1988. From 1988 until 1992, he led 
the parish at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Saranac Lake before going 
on Active Duty and serving tours of duty in South Carolina, Germany, 
Egypt and Fort Drum. Finally, he transitioned to the New York National 
Guard in 1999 where he remained throughout his career.
  Chaplain Olsen's long career has included assignments as Assistant 
Chaplain HHC 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Chaplain HHS 1-156 
Field Artillery, Chaplain HHC 27th UEX, and the State Chaplain of the 
New York National Guard.
  A veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Chaplain Olsen deployed to 
Iraq, operating in the dangerous Sunni Triangle region. Serving as the 
Battalion Chaplain, his unit conducted combat and stability operations 
as a part of Task Force Hunter.
  During his notable career, Chaplain Olsen earned various awards and 
decorations including the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal 
(with bronze oak leaf cluster), Army Commendation Medal (with 3 bronze 
oak leaf

[[Page E1834]]

clusters), Army Achievement Medal (with 1 silver oak leaf clusters and 
1 bronze oak leaf cluster), Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal 
(with 3 bronze oak leaf clusters), National Defense Service Medal (with 
2 bronze oak leaf clusters), Multinational Force and Observers Medal, 
Meritorious Unit Citation Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service 
Ribbon, Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon, Global War on 
Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, 
and Combat Action Badge.
  Eric had a truly commendable career, of which he, his wife Susan 
Marie, and his two sons Garth and Evan should all be very proud. 
Notably, he made the difficult sacrifice of serving both the United 
States as well as the higher power of God. I would like to wish him and 
his family all of the best in his future service and retirement from 
the United States Army and New York National Guard.

                          ____________________