[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 133 (Friday, August 1, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5204-S5205]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       CAPTAIN GEORGE KRIETEMEYER

 Mr. TUBERVILLE. Mr. President, when natural disasters strike, 
you can always count on the U.S. Coast Guard. This month, the Guard 
celebrates 235 years of excellence and lifesaving emergency missions. 
And that is because of heroes like CAPT George Krietemeyer of Opelika.
  Growing up in the post-World War II era, Krietemeyer said his 
favorite pastime was watching John Wayne save the day in war movies. 
Like John Wayne, George wanted to be that hero for fellow Americans in 
times of need. He dreamed of attending the Naval Academy, but through a 
series of events, found himself attending the Coast Guard Academy in 
Connecticut. This experience would launch him into an over 30-year 
career in the Guard. He decided to attend flight school after a few 
years in duty where he trained to fly both airplanes and helicopters. 
Through his extensive training, Captain Krietemeyer established himself 
as a leader among the ranks.
  He flew many missions during the Cuban Missile Crisis and learned 
firsthand the power of peace through strength. Captain Krietemeyer 
recalls witnessing the very moment when Soviet ships turned around and 
a near-war was avoided. He took the lead of developing a training 
school in North Carolina unlike anything the Coast Guard had before and 
served as the chief of training for the whole Coast Guard right here in 
Washington, DC. He spent 2 years at the helm of the U.S. Coast Guard 
Aviation Training Center in Mobile, AL. Captain Krietemeyer directly 
oversaw the training of nearly 15,000 guardsmen, and our Guard is no 
doubt much stronger because of his leadership.
  Following his military retirement, Captain Krietemeyer took his 
family back to Mobile. For more than 30 years, his family resided in 
the Port City. Whether working as a Navy consultant or in the Mobile 
mayor's office, he continued to play an integral role in developing 
efficiency and promoting quality management wherever he served. The 
city of Mobile received the Alabama Quality Award as the result of his 
work.
  Even though he is retired now, Captain Krietemeyer hasn't slowed down 
a bit. He stays both physically and mentally active by playing tennis 
and

[[Page S5205]]

pickleball and writing numerous books, including one about Mobile's 
200-year Coast Guard history.
  As John Wayne always said, ``Courage is being scared to death . . . 
and saddling up anyway.'' Captain Krietemeyer truly embodies this type 
of courage. And it is my honor to recognize him as the August Veteran 
of the Month.

                          ____________________