[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 46 (Wednesday, March 23, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E367-E368]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              IN REMEMBRANCE OF S/SGT GERALD V. ALDRICH II

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOHN SHIMKUS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 23, 2016

  Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in remembrance of the accident 
which tragically claimed the lives of former Commerce Secretary Ron 
Brown and thirty-four others two decades ago. Among the casualties that 
night was S/SGT Gerald V. Aldrich II of the United States Air Force. S/
SGT Aldrich perished while in service to his country, and though we may 
never fully comprehend the grief felt by his mother, Hazel Aldrich 
Wattles, his wife, Petra, his two sons, Timothy and Joshua, and his 
sister, Sherry Roley, they may rest assured that they have my heartfelt 
condolences on their loss and the appreciation of a grateful nation.
   S/SGT Aldrich, who grew up in Louisville, Illinois, graduated from 
North Clay High School with high honors, and turned down more lucrative 
job offers for a career in the Air Force, died on Good Friday, April 3, 
1996. So it only seems appropriate to look to the Bible for strength. 
Psalm 46:1 tells us that ``God is our refuge and strength, an ever 
present help in trouble.''
   Let S/SGT Aldrich's loved ones know they are in my thoughts, and I 
pray that his sacrifice shall never be forgotten.

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