[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 11393]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE TO LTC JUAN CRISTOBAL GOMEZ III

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN T. SALAZAR

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 25, 2005

  Mr. SALAZAR. Mr. Speaker, on this coming Memorial Day, we pay tribute 
to the men and women in uniform who have risked life and limb in the 
name of Liberty and Freedom. I wish to give special attention to LTC 
Juan Cristobal Gomez III, an extraordinary man who devoted his life to 
God and Country.
  Those of us from the San Luis Valley and Northern New Mexico were 
privileged to know this man of exceptional character and profound 
faith. LTC Gomez always said ``When you honor one veteran, you honor 
all veterans.'' Through this tribute to Juan, I pay homage to all who 
have served and sacrificed for this great Nation.
  Juan Cristobal Gomez III was born in Durango, CO in 1946 and was 
raised on the Gomez Ranch in Frances. He enlisted in the Army June 2, 
1969 at Ft. Polk, LA, and then graduated from Officer Candidate School 
in 1970. During his time in the Army and Army Reserves, Juan was 
stationed with Ft. Carson, CO, Evans Army Medical Center, CO, and 
William Beaumont Army Medical Center, Ft. Bliss, TX. He served on 
active duty with Evans Army Medical Center Unit during Operation Desert 
Storm, and also spent time with Medcom Unit #15281 in Korea in 1996 and 
again in 1998. Throughout his career he received many military awards 
arid attended several military schools. Juan retired from the United 
States Army Reserves as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1996.
  Juan touched the lives of everyone he came into contact with, always 
parting with ``I love you'' or ``God bless''. After he retired from the 
Army Reserves, he continued to serve his country through the work he 
did with veterans. He exemplified the notion that even when the uniform 
is placed in the closet, a soldier's duty is never complete to his 
Nation.
  In November of 2003, Gomez was honored with an award from the 
Congressional Medal of Honor Society for ``furthering the goals of the 
Congressional Medal of Honor Society by fostering and perpetuating 
patriotism in communities throughout the San Luis Valley and Northern 
New Mexico.'' Juan cherished his friendships with our Medal of Honor 
recipients and honored them in all he did because of who they are and 
the values they embody.
  Colorado and the Nation were at a great loss on July 10, 2004, when 
we lost LTC Juan Gomez. However, the life Juan led inspired us all; he 
challenged us to give a little of ourselves for the betterment of our 
Nation. We pay tribute this Memorial Day to thousands of veterans like 
LTC Juan Gomez, patriots who gave selflessly to protect this great 
Nation, and community leaders who inspire those around them by their 
service to a cause greater than themselves.

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