[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 10]
[House]
[Pages 14503-14504]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  IN HONOR OF LIEUTENANT COLONEL CHRISTOPHER RAIBLE, A FALLEN SOLDIER

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Murphy) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. MURPHY of Pennsylvania. This morning, I rise with a heavy heart, 
but on behalf of a grateful Nation, to honor a soldier born and raised 
in southwestern Pennsylvania, who gave his life on September 14 in 
service to our country.
  This week, he returned to his home, the United States, where he will 
be laid to rest. Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Raible, commanding 
officer of Marine Attack Squadron 211, died in the assault on Camp 
Bastion, which is connected to the American-run base Camp Leatherneck, 
in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. It was a despicable attack by the 
Taliban that not only took the life of this dedicated, respected, and 
brave marine but that also resulted in the worst loss of U.S. military 
aircraft since the Vietnam war.
  But this morning, I rise so my colleagues, my constituents at home in 
Westmoreland County, and the entire Nation will know more about this 
courageous marine known as ``Otis,'' who commanded a Marine Harrier jet 
squadron.
  After graduating at the top of his class from Norwin High School, 
where he was a starting defensive back for the Knights, Lieutenant 
Colonel Raible earned his degree in civil engineering from Pittsburgh's 
prestigious Carnegie Mellon University. Following his college 
graduation, Raible joined the United States Marine Corps, and by 1998 
had become a naval aviator. A natural leader, Raible rose to the rank 
of lieutenant colonel last summer, having received numerous military 
honors along the way, including a Meritorious Service Medal, 10 Strike-
Flight awards, and a Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, to name 
just a few.
  In support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, 
Raible deployed many times to serve our Nation. Colonel Raible 
commanded the only Marine Harrier squadron in Afghanistan in which he 
flew over 2,000 hours in Harrier aircraft.

                              {time}  1020

  A southwestern Pennsylvanian at heart, it should come as no surprise 
that Otis was known, while seated in the cockpit, to listen to the 
Steelers while flying in the skies over Iraq. But more than anything, 
Lieutenant Colonel Raible was a father, a husband, and a son; a proud 
dad of three children, ages 11, 9, and 2. Otis so loved and was loved 
by his family.
  As his mother Belvina of North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, said, her 
son died defending all that he held dear. ``He was the best of the 
best,'' she said. Indeed, Mrs. Raible, he was.
  Today, we as a Nation say ``thank you'' to Lieutenant Colonel Raible 
and to his entire family. We're so grateful for your service and for 
your sacrifice protecting our freedom. Through your service, you have 
made your family and your Nation better. Through your sacrifice, you 
have made America stronger. Through your courage, you have made America 
proud.

[[Page 14504]]

  Many times, I'm sure you soared above the clouds where you could 
touch the face of God. Now you rest in his loving arms for eternity. 
Thank you, Colonel. Our Nation thanks you, as well.

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