[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 203 (Wednesday, December 13, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1698]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF FALLEN MISSISSIPPI U.S. AIR FORCE CAPTAIN 
                         (CAPT) KERMIT O. EVANS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TRENT KELLY

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 13, 2017

  Mr. KELLY of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in memory of U.S. 
Air Force Captain (Capt) Kermit O. Evans who paid the ultimate 
sacrifice while defending our nation on December 3, 2006, during 
Operation Iraqi Freedom. Captain Evans died when the Marine Corps CH-46 
helicopter he was riding in made an emergency water landing in western 
Anbar province. Captain Evans was assigned to the 27th Civil Engineer 
Squadron, Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico. He deployed with the 332nd 
Air Expeditionary Wing, Balad Air Base, Iraq. He was one of four 
service members who died in the accident.
  According to the Associated Press, Captain Evans, a Hollandale, 
Mississippi native, was an avid sports fan and athlete who was pleasant 
and giving. Margaret Evans, Captain Evans' mother, said her son liked 
taking things apart and putting them back together. ``He also had an 
inquisitive personality that probably landed him in his military career 
as an explosives ordnance disposal technician,'' Mrs. Evans said. ``He 
liked to see how things work.''
  Captain Evans graduated from Mississippi State University where he 
earned a degree in chemical engineering. Captain Evans enlisted in the 
U.S. Air Force in August 2001. Following graduation, Captain Evans 
entered officer training school at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama and 
received his commission as a second lieutenant in November 2001. He was 
promoted to captain in November 2005. In the second phase of his Air 
Force career, Captain Evans entered Explosive Ordnance Disposal School 
at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. Following graduation, he was 
stationed at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico. While he was serving at 
Cannon Air Force Base, his unit earned the Sergeant Stryzak Award as 
the best EOD flight in Air Combat Command. Captain Evans was the head 
of the bomb squad at the 27th Civil Engineer Squadron, Cannon Air Force 
Base, New Mexico. In 2011, Cannon AFB officials honored their fallen 
comrade. They renamed the street in front of the 27th CE Squadron 
building as Kermit Evans Avenue.
  Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col) Stephen Wood, 27th Civil Engineer 
Squadron Commander, said Captain Evans considered the Air Force as a 
career at a young age. He said Captain Evans had a solid Air Force 
career as a civil engineer, but wanted to do more, and began exploring 
bomb disposal. ``That top level stratification was repeated throughout 
his career,'' Lt Col Wood said.
  A funeral service was held for Captain Evans at Nellis Air Force Base 
in Las Vegas, Nevada. A memorial service was held at the Simmons High 
School Gymnatorium in Hollandale, Mississippi. Captain Evans was laid 
to rest at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia on 
December 12, 2006.
  Captain Evans is survived by his parents, Charles and Margaret Evans; 
his wife, Perneatha; his son, Kermit Evans, Jr.; and his brother, 
Kervin Evans.
  Captain Evans proudly served our nation. He entered into the military 
ready to fight for the freedoms we all enjoy. His sacrifice will not be 
forgotten.

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