[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 7884]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




         TRIBUTE TO COLONEL NICHOLAS GEORGE ``NICK'' PSAKI, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BILL SHUSTER

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 18, 2009

  Mr. SHUSTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and report 
the passing of an American patriot and a neighbor, Colonel Nicholas 
George ``Nick'' Psaki, Jr., of Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania. Colonel 
Psaki passed away on the afternoon of March 14th at the age of 89.
  The passing of Colonel Psaki is yet another reminder for all of us 
that we are losing a generation of great Americans who served their 
country in the wars that shaped the world we live in today. The lives 
and the stories of these Americans, the members of the Greatest 
Generation, must never be forgotten.
  Colonel Psaki was truly a part of that Greatest Generation. He fought 
with distinction in three wars, seeing combat in World War II, the 
Korean War and Vietnam. Colonel Psaki made his mark on the golden age 
of Army aviation and retired from the Army a veteran pilot with over 
5,000 hours in flight time spent in fixed and rotary wing aircraft.
  Throughout his distinguished military career, Colonel Psaki received 
numerous medals and commendations for his service to his nation. Among 
those decorations are the Distinguished Service Medal, the 
Distinguished Flying Cross, the Purple Heart, the Silver Star, the 
Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star with 1st Oak Leaf Cluster, the Combat 
Infantry Badge Second Award, the Master Army Aviator Wings, as well as 
numerous campaign ribbons and service merit badges.
  In addition to his combat service, Colonel Psaki was a graduate of 
the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, as 
well as the Armed Forces Staff College at Norfolk, Virginia, and the 
U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Preceding these 
military degrees, Colonel Psaki attended Kings College in New York and 
received a bachelor's degree in history from the University of Southern 
California. He is survived by his wife Cindy, his son Nicholas, 
daughters Diane, Denise, Regina, and Alexandra, three grandchildren, 
and six great-grandchildren.
  Colonel Nick Psaki was a patriot, a family man and an active civic 
member. For all who came in contact with him, Nicholas Psaki will be 
remembered as a gentleman who exemplified quiet dignity, thoughtfulness 
and generosity. Colonel Psaki was a class act in and out of uniform and 
his absence will be noticeably felt by a grateful nation and by all who 
knew him.
  My thoughts and prayers and those of my constituents are with the 
members of the Psaki family as they grieve over their loss. Colonel 
Psaki was a great American. He will be missed and he will be 
remembered.

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