[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 18 (Friday, January 28, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E75]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            IN RECOGNITION OF COMMANDER FRANCIS T. WILLIAMS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. WILLIAM R. KEATING

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, January 28, 2022

  Mr. KEATING. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life of 
Commander Francis T. Williams, as the bridge over Scorton Creek in East 
Sandwich, Massachusetts, is renamed the Commander Francis T. Williams 
and Sandwich Veterans Memorial Bridge.
  Commander Williams was a highly decorated Naval Officer with a 
decades-long career of service. He served honorably as an U.S. Marine 
from 1969 through 1975 and was deployed to Vietnam. Commander Williams 
was commissioned as a Naval Lieutenant in 1994 and was stationed 
throughout his career in Connecticut, Fort Dietrich Maryland, the 
National Naval Medical Center, New Hampshire, Italy, and coordinated 
medical logistics on the USNS Comfort. Commander Williams was deployed 
to Iraq and served two tours in Afghanistan. His degrees in Pharmacy, 
Epidemiology, and National Security and Strategy Studies helped him 
train the Afghan National Army and lead the evacuation of critically 
wounded personnel.
  Commander Williams passed away on February 25, 2013, after a battle 
with brain cancer and a stroke while on active duty in Afghanistan. It 
is an honor to again recognize Commander Williams' service to his 
country as the bridge over Scorton Creek in East Sandwich is renamed 
the Commander Francis T. Williams and Sandwich Veterans Memorial 
Bridge.
  This bridge is of particular significance to Commander Williams' 
family as he caught the biggest bass of his life in its shadow. 
Commander Williams spent much time in the area fishing, canoeing, and 
being outdoors. The bridge also honors all Veterans from the town for 
service to their country.
  Madam Speaker, I am proud to honor the life and distinguished career 
of U.S. Navy Commander Francis T. Williams and all Veterans from 
Sandwich, Massachusetts, who are memorialized by the Commander Francis 
T. Williams and Sandwich Veterans Memorial Bridge. I ask that my 
colleagues join me in honoring these brave men and women.

                          ____________________