[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 20]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 26788]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING THE RETIREMENT OF AIR FORCE JUNIOR ROTC INSTRUCTOR LES 
                                CHAMBERS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 4, 2009

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. 
Leslie R. Chambers, a Northwest Florida leader who is retiring after a 
lifetime of public service to his country and his community. Les spent 
his career serving others, and I am proud to honor his dedication and 
service.
  Born on October 31, 1942, Les Chambers joined the Air Force in 1961 
after graduating from high school. Following completion of training, he 
was first assigned to Laon Air Base, France. His Air Force career took 
him across the globe. Along the way he earned two associates degrees in 
applied science, then completed his bachelor's degree in management at 
the University of New Hampshire. He is also a graduate of the Aerospace 
Defense Command Noncommissioned Officer Academy, where he received the 
Commandant's Award, and a graduate of the USAF Senior NCO Academy.
  Les retired in 1994 with over 33 years of faithful service to his 
country, 17 of which were spent overseas. His military decorations 
include the Meritorious Service Medal with three oak-leaf clusters and 
the Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak-leaf clusters. He was 
selected to serve his last three years as part of the ``High Year of 
Tenure'' program, a distinction reserved for less than one percent of 
the force.
  After retiring from the Air Force, he settled in Valparaiso, Florida 
and began working for the Florida Department of Health and 
Rehabilitative Services (HRS) as a Senior Counselor for Children and 
Families. In 1997, he was selected as the ``Social Worker of the Year'' 
for the Department of HRS. Les then began his role as the Air Force 
Junior ROTC Aerospace Science Instructor at Fort Walton Beach High 
School in December of that year. Known simply as ``Chief'' to his 
students, Les retired on October 31, 2009. He will be truly missed.
  Madam Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I am honored 
to recognize Les Chambers for his service to Northwest Florida and the 
United States of America. My wife Vicki and I wish all the best for Les 
and his family, including his wife, Ingeborg, and children, Angela, 
Michael, and Marcus, as they embark on this next journey in their 
lives.

                          ____________________