[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 9977]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   RECOGNITION OF CAPTAIN TRAVIS FORD

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM OSBORNE

                              of nebraska

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 29, 2003

  Mr. OSBORNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the outstanding 
accomplishments of Captain Travis Ford, formerly of Ogallala, Nebraska. 
Captain Ford was one of the thousands of men and women who were called 
to serve in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
  Captain Travis Ford was born in Saint Paul, Nebraska, in 1973. At the 
age of two, Captain Ford's family was told that he had developed a 
heart murmur and only had one year to live. Captain Ford did not let 
that stop him. In 1991, as an Ogallala High School graduate, he 
received the Dutch Cup, and was named the male athlete of the year. He 
was all-conference in football and named conference champion in 
wrestling.
  After high school graduation, Captain Ford enlisted in the United 
States Marine Corps as an Engineer Equipment Operator. But he decided 
he had more to offer his country. Captain Ford pursued and achieved a 
Bachelors Degree in Accounting and completed officer training at the 
University of Nebraska at Lincoln. Captain Ford also participated in 
extracurricular activities at the University by becoming a member of 
the yell squad. It was during a Nebraska football game that Captain 
Ford proposed to his wife, Deon, with the help of the other 
cheerleaders.
  Captain Ford, like many Nebraskans, strived to accomplish more and 
set higher goals, which took him around the country. In May of 1997, 
Captain Ford was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United 
States Marine Corps. He attended Field Artillery Officer's Basic Course 
at Fort Sill, Oklahoma and was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 11th 
Marines. Captain Ford achieved his ultimate goal when he was accepted 
in the Fleet Accession Program in Pensacola, Florida, to train as a 
helicopter pilot. Captain Ford excelled and graduated second in his 
class, and earned his Wings of Gold. Captain Ford eventually made his 
way to Camp Pendleton, California, where he trained to fly the AH-1 
Super Cobra helicopter.
  Captain Ford's passion to fly Super Cobra helicopters took him to 
Iraq, where he honorably served his country. Sadly, Captain Ford did 
not see the outcome of his hard work and dedication because Captain 
Travis Ford was killed in the line of duty on April 4, 2003, before the 
end of hostilities.
  Captain Ford leaves behind his supportive and loving wife, Deon, and 
two-year-old daughter, Ashley; his mother, Josie Ford; brothers Alex, 
Trevor, Mike, Todd and Matt; as well as his brothers' families.
  I want to thank Captain Ford's family for their sacrifice to our 
country. They are in our thoughts and prayers.

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