[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 12]
[House]
[Pages 17006-17007]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING A TRUE AMERICAN HERO: CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER COREY JAMES 
                               GOODNATURE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Gutknecht) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. GUTKNECHT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a true American 
hero.
  Chief Warrant Officer Corey J. Goodnature died protecting our 
freedoms on June 28, 2005 in eastern Afghanistan when his helicopter 
was shot down by enemy fire during combat operations.
  Corey was a quiet man who was dedicated to serving his country and 
family. He loved being outdoors. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, and he 
enjoyed all kinds of activities with his boys. Since childhood, he 
lived up to the family name, carrying a gentle demeanor, yet a very 
strong presence. Corey was a devoted husband, a loving father, and a 
dedicated Night Stalker. Corey served his Nation for 14 years, spending 
7 of those doing what he particularly loved: flying helicopters with 
his fellow Night Stalkers and supporting other Special Forces 
operations.
  Corey graduated from the University of Minnesota with an associate's 
degree in aerospace engineering and joined the Army in 1991. He served 
as a parachute rigger at the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare 
Center in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He attended the warrant officer 
basic course at Fort Rucker, Alabama. In 1996, he was assigned to Camp 
Wheeler in Hawaii. He served in a number of regiments around the 
country and around the world.
  Corey's awards and decorations include the Air Medal, the Senior Army 
Aviation Badge, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement 
Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, 
the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on 
Terrorism Service Medal, the Korean Defense Service Medal, the 
Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, and the Overseas 
Service Ribbon. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and the 
Meritorious Service Medal, the Bronze Star, an Air Medal With Valor 
device, and the Combat Action Badge.

[[Page 17007]]

  Corey Goodnature was survived by his wife, Lori; his sons, Shea and 
Brennan; and his parents, Deb and Don Goodnature of Clarks Grove, 
Minnesota. He had many friends and relatives throughout my district in 
southern Minnesota.
  Mr. Speaker, Corey died doing something that he deeply believed in, 
and he is a true hero to our Nation, to his family, and to his friends. 
We are all grateful for Corey's undeniable dedication and sacrifice, as 
well as those who he served with and died with. This dedication allows 
all of us to enjoy the freedoms and liberty of this great Nation. The 
world has suffered a great loss. We lost a great man; and his friends 
and relatives lost a son, a husband, a father, brother, uncle, 
Godfather, and loyal friend.
  Less than 2 weeks before he died and exactly 1 month before he was 
buried, Corey sent a simple prayer to his wife, a prayer that I am 
honored to share with my colleagues today. He wrote: ``Lord, continue 
to bless Lori and help us to grow and strengthen our bond as a family 
separated by distance, whether it be me, here, Lori by herself, or Shea 
and Brennan, wherever life takes them. I believe You have a glorious 
plan for us, and we honor You as the source of our happiness and 
success. In Your name we pray, Amen.''
  May the Lord of our fathers find His mercy upon Lori and all of the 
friends and relatives of Corey Goodnature. May He continue to bless 
America and all the brave Americans who defend her.

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