[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 9]
[House]
[Page 12156]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING MAJOR TRAVIS BRUNELLE

  (Mr. JOLLY asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. JOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a man who spent his 
entire adult life serving our country, a man who served with great 
distinction, and a man who truly was an American patriot. Mr. Speaker, 
I rise today to honor U.S. Army Major Travis Brunelle of Tampa, 
Florida.
  Major Brunelle enlisted in the Army in 1991. In 2002, he graduated 
from Florida State University with a bachelor's degree in information 
studies and was commissioned a 2nd lieutenant in the infantry, gaining 
his commission through ROTC at Florida State. He attended the Infantry 
Officer's Basic Course, where he served as a platoon leader and would 
go on to attend the Special Forces Officers Qualification Course. In 
October 2004, Brunelle earned the coveted Green Beret.
  Then-Captain Brunelle served as a detachment commander for Company C, 
3rd Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group. He deployed in support of 
Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
  For his service to our Nation, Brunelle was decorated with two Bronze 
Star Medals, three Army Commendation Medals, four Army Achievement 
Medals, and multiple OEF and OIF deployment ribbons. Additional 
recognitions included the Expert Infantryman Badge, Combat Infantryman 
Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Ranger Tab, and the Special Forces 
Tab.
  A Master Mason and president of the Tampa Bay Ranger Regiment 
motorcycle club, Major Brunelle was known by his community as selfless, 
compassionate, and full of life.
  Today, Major Brunelle is survived by his wife, Renee, and many 
countless, loving friends and family. May God bless Major Travis 
Brunelle for his service to our Nation. May God bless his family, his 
friends, and may God bless the country he so valiantly and proudly 
fought for, the United States of America.

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