[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 187 (Thursday, November 21, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1497]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING MSGT ENRIQUE ``RICK'' HERRERA ON HIS 23 YEARS OF MILITARY 
                                SERVICE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. RICHARD HUDSON

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 21, 2019

  Mr. HUDSON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Master Sergeant 
Enrique ``Rick'' Herrera on his 23 years of military service.
  Over the years, MSgt Herrera has made immeasurable contributions to 
our great nation and continues to personify the core U.S. Air Force 
values of integrity, selfless service, and excellence. He started his 
career in 1996 as a student in the Combat Patrol Pipeline and retires 
as a Master Sergeant that has served in many positions across the 724th 
Special Tactics Group.
  Early in his career, MSgt Herrera was deployed to Bosnia in support 
of Operation Joint Forge with the 22nd Special Tactics Squadron. After 
being selected for assignment to the 24th Special Tactics Squadron at 
Pope Air Force Base in North Carolina, he was deployed twelve times 
with elite Army and Navy Task Forces to Afghanistan and Iraq in support 
of Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation New 
Dawn, and Operation Inherent Resolve.
  MSgt Herrera retires as a decorated military servant and true 
American hero, having notably received the Bronze Star Medal with 
Valor, Bronze Star Medal with three oak leaf clusters, and Air Force 
Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters. Despite all of his 
accomplishments, he never boasts of his military achievements and 
instead focuses his energy on his wife Susan and their son Noah.
  As Fort Bragg's Congressman, I know I speak for our entire community 
when I say we are truly grateful for MSgt Herrera's extraordinary 
service and cannot thank him enough. I would like to offer my sincerest 
appreciation and wish him success in his future endeavors.
  Madam Speaker, please join me today in honoring Master Sergeant 
Enrique ``Rick'' Herrera on his 23 years of military service.

                          ____________________