[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 147 (Wednesday, September 28, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1390]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            HONORING LT. COL. IRA STEPHEN ``SHOOTER'' EADIE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN GARAMENDI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 28, 2016

  Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Lieutenant 
Colonel Ira Stephen ``Shooter'' Eadie, who died on September 20, 2016 
while flying a routine training mission.
   At 9:05 am, the TU-2S piloted by Lt Col Eadie and his trainee 
crashed near the Sutter Buttes in California. They were assigned to the 
1st Reconnaissance Squadron at Beale Air Force Base. Although both 
pilots ejected from the aircraft, Lt Col Eadie did not survive.
   Lt Col Eadie was a respected pilot who began his military career in 
the Navy, flying P-3 patrol aircraft. He eventually joined the Air 
Force and became a U-2 pilot. The U-2 is a notoriously difficult 
aircraft to fly--becoming a U-2 pilot means you are among the very 
best. He was part of an elite, tight-knit group of pilots, whose 
flights more closely mirror those of astronauts--the U-2 flies at 
altitudes over 70,000 feet, at the very edge of the atmosphere, 
affording the pilot breathtaking views of the horizon, watching 
nighttime creep across the Earth.
   Steve was a loving and devoted family man. He met his wife Ashley in 
Lake City, FL, and together they raised six children, and recently 
welcomed a granddaughter.
   Mr. Speaker, pilots fondly quote, ``Oh! I have slipped the surly 
bonds of earth, and danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings''. 
Today, it is my heartfelt honor to remember a cherished member of the 
flying community, Lt Col ``Shooter'' Eadie, who has put out his hand, 
and touched the face of God. In the days to come, may strength and 
comfort be granted to his family and friends, the 1st Reconnaissance 
Squadron and Beale Air Force Base, and the entire Dragon Lady 
community.

                          ____________________