[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 17974]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



               TRIBUTE TO COLONEL EDWARD C. GRUETZEMACHER

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                            HON. IKE SKELTON

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 25, 2001

  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, let me take this opportunity to speak of 
the recent retirement of Colonel Ed Gruetzemacher, 1107th Aviation, 
Classification and Repair Activity Depot commander, Missouri National 
Guard. Colonel Gruetzemacher retired after over 30 years of service to 
the United States military. He has distinguished himself, the military 
and our nation with dedicated service.
  Colonel Gruetzemacher began his career in 1967 when he was drafted 
into the U.S. Army. After basic training, Colonel Gruetzemacher was 
selected for officer training school and then flight school. Upon 
completion of flight school, Colonel Gruetzemacher flew COBRA 
helicopters in the 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry, the same unit his father 
served in years earlier. After service in Vietnam, Colonel 
Gruetzemacher was assigned to Fort Knox, Kentucky, where he deployed an 
attack helicopter company to Europe for restationing.
  In 1974 Colonel Gruetzemacher joined the Missouri National Guard as 
deputy at the Transportation Aircraft Repair Shop, now known as the 
1107th AVCRAD. During his 27 years in the Missouri National Guard 
Colonel Gruetzemacher has served in the 142nd Transportation Battalion, 
the 1107th AVCRAD, the 635th Aviation Group and the State Aviation 
Office.
  Mr. Speaker, Colonel Gruetzemacher has dedicated 34 years of his life 
to the military, serving with honor and distinction. As he prepares to 
spend more time with his wife Jean and daughter Eve, I know the Members 
of the House will join me in wishing him all the best in his 
retirement.

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