[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 177 (Friday, October 16, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E961]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF NATHAN E. RIBELIN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TRENT KELLY

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 16, 2020

  Mr. KELLY of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate 
the life of MAJ Nathan E. Ribelin, who passed away on September 12, 
2020.
  Nathan was born on January 20, 1979 to parents Kenneth and Beth 
Ribelin in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Nathan attended Petal High School 
in Petal, MS, and Belhaven College where he earned a baccalaureate 
degree in computer information systems. Nathan's patriotism began on 
November 23, 1996, when Nathan enlisted in the Mississippi Army 
National Guard. His commitment and dedication to our country never 
faltered, as he deployed overseas on three separate occasions. Nathan 
first deployed to Iraq as an enlisted Soldier. Following his return 
home, Nathan displayed his continued patriotism by attending Officer 
Candidate School and commissioning as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 185th 
Theater Aviation Brigade. Nathan's continued pride and patriotism for 
his country was evidenced by his second and third deployments to 
Afghanistan, as a Medical Evacuation Pilot, and to Kuwait, as an 
Aviation Brigade Intelligence Officer.
  Throughout his military career, Nathan provided mentorship and 
leadership to soldiers at multiple levels of command while serving as a 
platoon leader, section leader, and company commander. Nathan would 
later receive many awards, including the Meritorious Service Medal, Air 
Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Meritorious 
Unit Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on 
Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terror Service Medal, and 
Afghanistan Campaign Medal.
  Left to cherish Nathan's memory is his wife, Kerry Beth; his four 
children, Calvin, Felicity, Horatio, and Jubilee; his father, Ken; his 
brother Timothy and his wife Lauren; his brother Scott and his wife 
Kimberly; and a host of cousins, family and friends. Nathan will be 
laid to rest amongst his brothers and sisters in arms at Dallas-Fort 
Worth National Cemetery.

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