[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 14]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 19864]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING CHRISTOPHER BLANCHARD OF CITRUS COUNTY, FLORIDA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GINNY BROWN-WAITE

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 19, 2007

  Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to 
honor SFC Christopher Blanchard, an army soldier from Citrus County, 
Florida, currently stationed in Ft. Eustis, Virginia. His parents 
Sheila and Tom Densmore reside in Inverness, Florida.
  A graduate of Citrus County High School, Christopher enlisted in the 
Army in September, 1998. After attending basic training at Ft. Jackson 
in South Carolina, Christopher was assigned to Ft. Eustis for advanced 
training as an aircraft technician.
  Following his training, Christopher was assigned to Ansbach, Germany, 
where he performed electrical work on army helicopters. As part of a 
peace-keeping mission in Kosovo, Christopher spent 6 months on the 
ground helping to keep the fragile peace accords in place.
  Christopher was next stationed in Hawaii for 4 years, where he took 
part in missions to Bosnia and Afghanistan. Currently he is a senior 
instructor for the helicopter instructor's course at Ft. Eustis, 
training new recruits in helicopter maintenance and electric work.
  Over the course of his service, Christopher has earned many medals 
and commendations, including five Army Commendation Medals, two Army 
Achievement Medals, an Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense 
Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal, 
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism 
Expeditionary Medal, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development 
Ribbon, Overseas Ribbon, two NATO Medals, Aviation Badge, Air Assault 
Badge, and Driver/Mechanic Badge. In January 2008, Christopher will 
attend Warrant Officer Candidate School at Ft. Rucker, Alabama. 
Following the completion of his training, Christopher will be assigned 
to his next duty station as an, Aviation Maintenance Officer.
  Madam Speaker, it is soldiers like Christopher Blanchard who 
volunteer to protect the freedoms that all Americans hold dear to their 
hearts. While brave men and women like Christopher serve in the name of 
freedom and liberty, his family, friends, and loved ones should know 
that this Congress will never forget his sacrifice and commitment.

                          ____________________