[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Page 13509]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO WILLIAM MARK FOSTER

 Mr. TESTER. Mr. President, today I wish to honor William Mark 
Foster, a veteran of the United States Air Force. Mark was born in 
Gross Pointe Woods, MI, in 1952.
  At the age of 5, his family moved to Arizona where he graduated from 
high school and attended Scottsdale Community College. After a few 
years of working and going to school, Mark enlisted in the U.S. Air 
Force.
  He underwent basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San 
Antonio, TX, and achieved the rank of Airman First Class. Mark then 
trained to become a weapons mechanic at Lowry Air Force Base in Denver. 
At every step, he aimed to excel and his superiors rewarded him with 
greater responsibility. He even earned several awards for his 
marksmanship with small arms.
  Mark was then stationed at Plattsburgh Air Force Base in upstate New 
York as part of the 380th Munitions Maintenance Squadron. He and his 
load crew were responsible for loading planes with nuclear missiles. 
They were so efficient that they received an Air Force Outstanding Unit 
Award.
  He began the process to undergo officers' training, but after a 
number of hurdles got in the way, Mark mustered out in May of 1977 with 
the rank of Senior Airman.
  He returned to Scottsdale to work with his father, but began spending 
much of his time with his mother and stepfather in Red Lodge, MT, until 
he decided to move here.
  Mark has been an active member of his community for nearly three 
decades. He is also a founding sponsor of the Air Force Memorial in 
Arlington, VA.
  It was my honor to present Mark with his Air Force Outstanding Unit 
Award, National Defense Service Medal, and Small Arms Expert 
Marksmanship Ribbon. These decorations are small tokens, but they are 
powerful symbols of true heroism, sacrifice, and dedication to service. 
They are presented on behalf of a Nation that will never forget William 
Mark Foster's service.

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