[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 144 (Thursday, September 7, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1175-E1176]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING THE LIFE OF FALLEN U.S. ARMY MAJOR (MAJ) GREGORY JOHN FESTER

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TRENT KELLY

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 7, 2017

  Mr. KELLY of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in memory of U.S. 
Army Major (MAJ) Gregory John Fester who died while defending our great 
nation on August 30, 2005, during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was 
killed when an improvised explosive device detonated near his 
dismounted patrol in Iskandariyah, Iraq. MAJ Fester was assigned to the 
U.S. Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command, Fort 
Bragg, North Carolina, while serving with the 155th

[[Page E1176]]

Armored Brigade Combat Team from Mississippi.
  MAJ Fester, a native of Westerville, Ohio, attended Ohio State 
University. He enlisted in the Army in 1984, where he served as an 
administrative specialist in the Ohio National Guard. MAJ Fester 
received his Army ROTC commission in 1987, when he graduated from Ohio 
State University. As a second lieutenant, MAJ Fester served on active 
duty with the 4th Battalion, 27th Field Artillery Regiment. He was 
promoted to first lieutenant in May 1989, while serving with the 3rd 
Battalion, 27th Field Artillery Regiment. In 1990, MAJ Fester served 
with the Battery Charlie, 4th Battalion, 27th Field Artillery (Multiple 
Launch Rocket System) in Wertheim, Germany. His unit deployed to parts 
of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Iraq during the initial ground phase of 
Operation Desert Storm. MAJ Fester's service during Operation Desert 
Storm earned him a number of awards including the Bronze Star medal.
  In August 1991, he attended the Officer Advanced Course at Fort Sill, 
Oklahoma, and was promoted to captain. MAJ Fester's next assignment was 
at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where he took command of the Battery 
Charlie, 3rd Battalion, 27th Field Artillery. After MAJ Fester 
completed his service at Fort Bragg, he was assigned to New Cumberland 
Army Depot outside of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
  In 1996, MAJ Fester departed active duty and became a sales 
representative for Pfizer Inc. He was reclassified as a member of the 
Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) At the time, MAJ Fester served as a 
tactical intelligence officer in the New York Air National Guard's 
Engineer Brigade, 42nd Infantry Division. In December 1999, MAJ Fester 
joined the U.S. Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command 
(Airborne), where he was assigned to the 402nd Civil Affairs Battalion, 
Tonawanda, New York. He completed the Civil Affairs Officer Advanced 
Course in 2001, and was promoted to major. In April 2002, a 
presidential executive order called MAJ Fester and other reservists 
back to service for a tour that was scheduled to last until 2006.
  After MAJ Fester's death, his duties in Iraq were described in an 
online post at arlingtoncemetery.net It was MAJ Fester's job to talk 
with mayors of Iraqi communities and Islamic clerics in the dangerous 
Sunni Triangle. MAJ Fester secured contractors to rebuild high schools 
and elementary schools. His wife, Julie, was proud of her husband's 
devotion to every project. ``He believed in what he was doing,'' Mrs. 
Fester said ``The schools over there were rubble. He felt they were 
making a difference.''
  When MAJ Fester's body was returned to the United States for burial, 
more than 650 people came to the memorial service. It was held at the 
Ada Bible Church in Ada, Michigan. On the day of the service, flags 
throughout Michigan were lowered to half staff. Reverend Bob King, Ada 
Bible Church pastor, said MAJ Fester wanted to serve America. ``He was 
very concerned about his family,'' Rev. King said. ``But as a soldier, 
he was ready to step up and do his duty. He truly had the desire to 
make the world a better place.''
  MAJ Fester was transported to the Arlington National Cemetery where 
the Army Horseman of the Caisson Platoon carried him to his final 
resting place. His coffin was draped with an American flag. At the end 
of the service, a military band played ``America the Beautiful'' as 
flags were presented to his family.
  MAJ Fester's awards and decorations include two Bronze Star medals, 
the Purple Heart medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, two Army 
Commendation medals, the Army Achievement medal, the Army Reserve 
Components Achievement medal, the National Defense Service medal, the 
Southwest Asia Service medal with three bronze service stars, the Iraq 
Campaign medal, Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the 
Kuwaiti Liberation medal, the Combat Action Badge, the Parachutist 
Badge and a Valorous Unit Award.
  MAJ Fester is survived by his wife, Julie, his two daughters, Jenni 
and Megan; his son, Peyton; and his parents, William Fester and 
Virginia Piecoro.
  MAJ Fester will always be remembered for his courage and bravery. He 
sacrificed his life to protect the freedoms we all enjoy.

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