[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 54 (Monday, March 28, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E302]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING THE LIFE OF DISTINGUISHED VETERAN, LIEUTENANT COLONEL CHARLES 
                           EDWARD DRAKE, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF DUNCAN

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 28, 2022

  Mr. DUNCAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Life of 
Lieutenant Colonel Charles Edward Drake, Sr. who selflessly served the 
United States Army for 26 years.
  Lt. Col. Drake was born in DeFuniak Springs, Florida, on January 26, 
1930. In 1948, Lt. Col. Drake attended Florida State University where 
he met his wife, Anne. After graduation, the couple were schoolteachers 
in Panama City, Florida. Lt. Col. Drake was drafted to the Army in 
1951. He served for twenty-six years as an officer in the Corp of 
Engineers, a fixed and rotary wing master aviator, and an instructor 
pilot. His service included a tour in Korea and two tours in Vietnam. 
For his achievements and service, Lt. Col. Drake was awarded the Bronze 
Star, with a V for Valor and an Oak Leaf Cluster, the Air Medal, the 
Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Army 
Commendation Medal.
  Lt. Col. Drake retired from the Army in 1975, but his dedication to 
service and his country was far from over. Upon retiring in Greenwood, 
South Carolina, Lt. Col. Drake served as the head of the business 
department at Piedmont Technical College, opened a life insurance 
company, and was active in several community and church organizations. 
Lt. Col. Drake also spent many hours mentoring aspiring pilots and 
officers. It is difficult to put into words how impactful Lt. Col. 
Drake was, but I am reminded of 1 Peter 4:10: ``Each one of you should 
use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully 
administering God's grace in its various forms.''
  In 2011, I had the privilege of escorting the Drake family on a 
private tour of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum where we 
viewed a Huey Helicopter that Lt. Col. Drake flew during the war in 
Vietnam. Seeing this helicopter displayed reminds me of the bravery Lt. 
Col. Drake and many others had in serving our great nation. I am 
continually inspired by the selflessness and dedication Lt. Col. Drake 
demonstrated not only in his service to our country but his service to 
the community in Greenwood.
  Lt. Col. Drake passed away on November 25, 2020 and will soon be 
interred at Arlington National Cemetery with thousands of other 
American heroes. His legacy will live on in his children, 
grandchildren, and great grandchildren as well as the countless lives 
he touched in his community. Lt. Col. Drake's example of sacrifice and 
dedication to country and community is something we should all strive 
to attain.
  Madam Speaker, it is a privilege to be able to serve the Third 
District of South Carolina and to honor our veterans, like Lt. Col. 
Drake, who have dedicated their lives to the safety and prosperity of 
the United States. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and 
friends during this time.

                          ____________________