[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 14428]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING CAPTAIN VICTOR J. VAN HEEST FOR 27 YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE 
                               U.S. NAVY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. VERNON J. EHLERS

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 13, 2006

  Mr. EHLERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Captain 
Victor J. Van Heest for his service as a member of the United States 
Navy on the occasion of his retirement after 27 years of military 
service.
  Captain Van Heest is a native of my hometown of Grand Rapids, 
Michigan, and currently serves as Senior Military Assistant to the 
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs. After attending 
Michigan State University, where he graduated in 1979 with a degree in 
mechanical engineering, Captain Van Heest was commissioned in the U.S. 
Navy in August 1979. He was designated a Naval Aviator in 1980 after 
completing flight school.
  He has served in many different posts around the country and world 
and has been deployed to the Mediterranean Sea and the Persian Gulf 
during his career. Furthermore, he continued his education, earning a 
Master of Science in Administration degree from Central Michigan 
University in 1999, and graduating from the Air War College in 1996. 
His personal awards include the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious 
Service Medal (three awards), the Navy Commendation Medal, and the Navy 
Achievement Medal (three awards).
  Upon graduation from the Air War College, he transferred to VR-48, 
NAF Washington, DC, as the Executive Officer and in April 1997 assumed 
command of the squadron. During this time, the ``Capital Skyliners,'' 
who fly the C-20G aircraft, won the Battle `E' for C-9 and C-20 
squadrons.
  Following his command tour, he reported to the Director of Air 
Warfare staff at the Pentagon as the Transport Aircraft Coordinator. 
One year later, he transferred to the Director of Naval Reserve staff 
as the Head, Reserve Air Logistics Programs and then fleeted up to 
Director, Air Programs Management Division.
  Assuming command of Fleet Logistics Support Wing in July 2001, he led 
the Airwing during Operations Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi 
Freedom. He relinquished command in July 2003 having accumulated more 
than 5,700 flight hours in Navy aircraft.
  Captain Van Heest and his wife, Anne, reside with their sons, Peter 
and Andrew, in Annapolis, Maryland. Their oldest son, Kyle, is a 
Midshipman at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis. Upon his retirement, 
the Van Heests plan to move to Holland, Michigan, where, I am told, he 
will work for Haworth Inc.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in offering Captain Victor J. Van 
Heest our deepest gratitude for his 27 years of service to our Nation 
and congratulations on his retirement.

                          ____________________