[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 14]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 21091]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




        RETIRED MAJOR GENERAL FREDERICK HARWOOD ``FRED'' FORSTER

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. JOHN J. DUNCAN, JR.

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 14, 2010

  Mr. DUNCAN. Madam Speaker, Retired Major General Frederick Harwood 
``Fred'' Forster passed away on November 18, 2010, after a long and 
very brave battle with cancer. I do not know another person who has met 
such a challenge with more strength, faith, and grace.
  Fred was a very patriotic American and one of the finest men I have 
ever known. He had an immeasurable impact on Blount County, Tennessee, 
and the United States in many positive ways.
  Upon reporting the news of his death, The Daily Times newspaper in 
Maryville, Tennessee, referred to Fred as ``a community treasure.''
  Fred's pastor at Mount Lebanon Baptist Church said Blount County has 
lost a ``great man and friend to this community,'' and he continued on 
to say that, ``(Fred) believed in prayer and accepted the will of God 
without complaint. Dignity, respect, honor, faith, love, commitment; 
these are the words that describe Fred.''
  Sharon Hannum, Chair of the Blount County Chamber Foundation, said, 
``I have met no stronger, dedicated and compassionate leader than in 
the person of Fred Forster.''
  Former Maryville Mayor Joe Swann said, ``His steadfastness in the 
face of such adversity makes him the solider we point to and say, `I 
had the great privilege of knowing that remarkable man.'''
  Senator Lamar Alexander, a native of Maryville himself, called Fred a 
friend and said, ``Blount County and I will miss him greatly.''
  Fred is perhaps best known for his success in the military. 
Commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1968, his accomplishments as a 
pilot and natural leadership abilities propelled Fred to the rank of 
assistant adjutant general of the Tennessee Air National Guard at the 
time of his retirement in 2003.
  During his 35-year service, he served as commander of the 134th Air 
Refueling Wing, Tennessee Air National Guard, and chief of staff of the 
Tennessee Air National Guard.
  Fred's time in the military took him through the Air Command and 
Staff College, Army Command and General Staff College, and Air War 
College. He received countless decorations, including a Bronze Star, 
and served in Thailand and the United Arab Emirates, playing an 
important role in the liberation of Kuwait during Operations Desert 
Shield and Desert Storm.
  Fred also found much success in community development. He served as 
chief executive officer of the Blount Partnership, a venture made up by 
the Blount County Chamber of Commerce, Industrial Development Board, 
Smoky Mountain Convention and Visitors Bureau and Blount Chamber 
Foundation.
  His time at the Chamber is admired by all who were lucky enough to 
work with him until his retirement earlier this year.
  As you would imagine, Fred's work did not stop with the military or 
his time at the Chamber. He devoted much time to other civic and 
private organizations too numerous to name in this space.
  Fred was buried with full military honors at Mount Lebanon Baptist 
Church, and I attended his graveside service along with many hundreds 
of other people. It was very obvious to everyone who was there how 
loved and respected he was in the community.
  Recently, Fred's father-in-law, Garland DeLozier, also passed away. 
Garland was a community leader in his own right, and I offer my 
condolences to Fred's wife, Carolyn, who has lost her husband and 
father in such a short span of time.
  Before his passing, Fred said of Carolyn, ``She was invaluable. 
Couldn't ask for a better supporter and a partner and a helper and 
sustainer.''
  Fred's daughter Rebecca was one of my House Pages and is now a member 
of my staff, and her sister, Joy, interned for me in 1996. I know the 
pain myself of losing a father at about their age, but they should have 
much comfort in knowing how loved and admired their dad was by everyone 
and how proud he was of their own accomplishments.
  Fred was very devoted to his family, and he will be greatly missed by 
Carolyn, Joy, and Rebecca, as well as his daughter, Katherine; 
grandchildren Drew and Caroline; mother, Harriet; and sister, Jane.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my Colleagues and other readers of the Record 
to join me in celebrating the extraordinary life of Major General Fred 
Forster. His life and accomplishments are without comparison, and he 
will forever be an example to all those who knew him.

                          ____________________