[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 128 (Tuesday, September 8, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1219]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE DEDICATED SERVICE AND SELFLESS SACRIFICE OF TECHNICAL 
                      SERGEANT MARTY B. BETTELYOUN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, September 8, 2015

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, it is with both profound sadness 
and deep gratitude that I rise to pay tribute to a fallen decorated 
American hero. On Monday, August 3, 2015, Technical Sergeant Marty B. 
Bettelyoun of the 24th Special Operations Wing, located in Florida's 
First Congressional District, tragically lost his life during a 
military freefall training accident. TSgt Bettelyoun was 35 years old, 
but lived a lifetime marked by and full of service.
   Born to Sonny and Christina Bettelyoun on October 18, 1979 in 
Eugene, Oregon, TSgt Bettelyoun graduated from Oregon City High School. 
After graduation, he answered the call and joined the Air Force in 
2000. Enduring one of the most challenging training pipelines the 
United States military has to offer, TSgt Bettelyoun earned his stripes 
as one of our Nation's most elite. As a lead instructor in Survival, 
Evasion, Resistance, and Escape, and later as a Combat Controller with 
multiple training and combat deployments around the globe, TSgt 
Bettelyoun's leadership and devotion to duty served thousands of airmen 
and our Nation well throughout his prestigious fifteen-year career.
   Among his many awards and accolades are the Air Force Commendation 
Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Air Force Achievement Medal with two 
oak leaf clusters, Meritorious Unit Award with four oak leaf clusters, 
Air Force Good Conduct Medal with four oak leaf clusters, National 
Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, 
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Air Force Overseas Ribbon Long, 
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border, Air Force 
Longevity Service Ribbon with two oak leaf clusters, USAF 
Noncommissioned Officer Professional Military Education Graduate Ribbon 
with one oak leaf cluster, and the Air Force Training Ribbon.
   By all accounts, TSgt Bettelyoun was the consummate leader and 
selfless warrior in his professional life as well as his personal life. 
Described by close friends as being able to walk into a room of 
strangers and leave their friend, TSgt Bettelyoun surely lived a full, 
albeit too brief, life. A dedicated family man, it remains clear his 
family was the most important aspect in this young patriot's life. With 
five children to his beloved wife, Jennifer, TSgt Bettelyoun and 
Jennifer took in a young cousin as their own, after the cousin's 
parents tragically passed away.
   Mr. Speaker, this is the type of man we lost on August 3, 2015. 
There are no words I, this body of Congress, or the Nation can say that 
might assuage the bereavement of the Bettelyoun family and the six 
children Marty leaves behind. All I can say is on behalf of a humble 
and grateful Nation, we thank them for the love, counsel, guidance, and 
support given to Marty, which helped make him the hero he became both 
in uniform and as a father. His life stands as a testament that freedom 
is not free, and his legacy will echo in time as an example of the 
ultimate sacrifice for all free people. My wife, Vicki, joins me in 
praying that God be with Marty's wife, Jennifer; his children Kalyn, 
Olivia, Benjamin, Isabella, and Mollie; his parents, Sonny and 
Christina; brothers Luke and Adam; Stepmother Sharon and Stepfather 
Jim; and all family and friends during this time of great mourning, and 
may God continue to bless the United States of America.

                          ____________________