[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16910]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO CAPTAIN SETH MICHAUD

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MARTIN T. MEEHAN

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 26, 2003

  Mr. MEEHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to United States 
Marine Captain Seth Michaud, who died on Sunday, June 22, 2003, in 
service to his country.
  Seth Michaud was a resident of Hudson, Massachusetts, in my 
Congressional District. In 1994, he graduated from Hudson High School, 
where he excelled in both academics and sports. I supported Seth's 
application to the Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD., and was proud when 
he was accepted, announcing the news at a town meeting that included 
his family, friends, and neighbors. Seth graduated from the Pensacola 
Naval Flight School in 1999, and was certified as a helicopter pilot in 
December, 2000.
  At the time of his death, Capt. Michaud was a helicopter commander, 
killed when a B-52 dropped nine M117 general purpose bombs during a 
practice mission. Seth was watching the routine training exercise from 
atop a ridge on the Gondoria Range in northeastern Africa, off the 
coast of Djibouti. He was standing outside his CH-53E helicopter when 
the bomb exploded. Eight other service personnel were also injured. 
Seth Michaud had been assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 461, 
based at New River Marine Corps in North Carolina.
  Capt. Michaud and about 50 other personnel from Combined Joint Task 
Force--Horn of Africa were participating in training exercises that 
involved the coordination of aerial bombardment missions. This exercise 
was the fourth of its kind since the task force's arrival in December. 
The task force's mission is to lead the U.S. war on terrorism, by 
intercepting or disrupting terrorist operatives in that region of the 
world. Seth, like many other soldiers who have answered their nation's 
call to service, paid the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our freedom 
and liberty.
  Seth is survived by his loving wife Karen Marie, and their 18-month-
old son, Ian. He also leaves his parents, Francis and Karen of Hudson, 
a brother, Ethan, and a sister, Samantha, as well as several other 
relatives and friends.
  Seth Michaud was a United States Marine, a loving father, husband, 
son, and brother, and his commitment to his Nation and his family is 
one for which he will be forever remembered. His family knows that 
Seth's dedication to his service was of great value to him. They 
remember him for his photographic memory, his passion for flying, and 
his love for his family.
  Capt. Seth Michaud served his family, his hometown, and his country, 
proudly and faithfully.

                          ____________________