[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 15915-15916]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              PAYING TRIBUTE TO COLONEL MICHAEL V. PALATAS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 14, 2004

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise to pay 
tribute to the life and passing of Colonel Michael Palatas of Pueblo, 
Colorado. Michael was one of Colorado's most decorated veterans and as 
his family mourns his passing, I think it is appropriate to remember 
his life of dedicated service before this body of Congress and this 
nation.
  Michael bravely answered his nation's call to service in 1941, when 
he enlisted in the

[[Page 15916]]

United States Marine Corps. As a Second Lieutenant, he fought battles 
in the Pacific theater during World War II. During the Korean War he 
served as a platoon leader in five major battles. A few years later, 
Michael served as a commanding officer for the 1st Battalion, 9th 
Marines and later an executive officer for the 9th Marine Regiment in 
the Vietnam War. In recognition of his valiant actions on the 
battlefield, Michael received several awards from the military, 
including: a Silver Star, a Legion of Merit, a Bronze Star, two Purple 
Hearts, six Presidential Unit Citations, a Combat Action Ribbon, a Good 
Conduct Medal, two Navy Unit Commendations and a Meritorious Unit 
Commendation. After thirty-four years of dedicated service, he and his 
family settled on his ranch in Lake George, Colorado. Later, they moved 
to Colorado Springs and eventually to Rye, Colorado. Outside his 
military life, he actively participated in his church.
  Mr. Speaker, Michael Palatas was a pillar of his community and he 
will be sorely missed. His pride for his nation was demonstrated in the 
many years he spent in active duty for our nation's military. At this 
difficult time of bereavement, I express my deepest regrets and 
sympathies to the family and friends of Michael Palatas.

                          ____________________