[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 190 (Thursday, October 28, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1159]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING CAPTAIN MICHAEL CARATHERS, RECIPIENT OF TEXAS' THIRD 
     CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 2021 CONGRESSIONAL VETERAN COMMENDATION

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. VAN TAYLOR

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 28, 2021

  Mr. TAYLOR. Madam Speaker, today, it is my privilege to honor fifteen 
distinguished military veterans from Texas' Third Congressional 
District who answered the call to serve their Nation honorably, both in 
uniform and following their return to civilian life. The recipients of 
the 2021 Congressional Veteran Commendation exemplify the time-honored 
qualities of patriotism, service before self, and bold leadership. 
Following their time in service, their efforts in our community have 
earned these fine individuals recognition as the recipients of this 
prestigious commendation. Their stories of sacrifice will encourage 
future generations to pursue a life dedicated to the very values we 
cherish as Americans: faith, freedom, and democracy. One such hero is 
Captain Michael Carathers of Lucas, Texas.
  Originally from Amarillo, Texas, Captain Michael Carathers enlisted 
in the U.S. Naval Reserves in 1967, after which time he earned a 
Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Texas Tech 
University. Along the way he would serve as a division petty officer at 
NAVCOMSTA Lululei Hawaii providing communications from the U.S. 
mainland to Vietnam and recovery communications for the Apollo program 
for NASA. Following a direct commission as an Engineering Duty Officer, 
he would perform a variety of duties on the USS Bataan and USS Blue 
Ridge. Captain Carathers would go on to command two reserve units and 
serve as the Executive Officer for two additional units.
  Due to his dedicated service, Captain Carathers earned the Navy and 
Marine Corps Medal, Navy Reserve Meritorious Medal, National Defense 
Services Medal, Armed Forced Reserve Medal, and Global War on Terrorism 
Medal, as well as various unit awards.
  Following his military career, Mike was employed as a Principal 
Systems Engineer on military programs for Raytheon from which he 
retired in 2011. Captain Carathers would go on to serve on the Reserve 
Officers Association Board of Directors for the local chapter and was 
selected as Texas Department President and Vice President. His 
commitment to our military and veterans is strongly evidenced by his 
role as Committee Chairman for the North Texas Military Foundation Ball 
where his advocacy efforts have generated tremendous support for our 
active duty, reserve, and retired military members and veterans.
  Captain Carathers and his wife, Cheryl, have three children and six 
grandchildren with whom they have instilled a sense of service before 
self. His deep passion for serving our military community with a 
patriotic and unwavering heart is to be commended as he continues to 
display servant leadership.
  Today a grateful Nation thanks Captain Carathers for his exceptional 
service and congratulates him on this recognition. May his steadfast 
example of leadership inspire others to live a life of service to a 
cause greater than themselves. It is my extreme honor to award him the 
2021 Congressional Veteran Commendation for the Third District of 
Texas.

                          ____________________