Discussion · House of Representatives
Jeff Hurd Republican
“I want to honor the Colorado Army National Guard members and rescue workers who saved a stranded hiker from a high mountain peak.”
“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Colorado Army National Guard aviators who saved a life on one of Colorado’s most challenging peaks. Earlier this year, a hiker was stranded on Crestone Peak, more than 14,000 feet above sea level. Flight for Life cannot reach that altitude. Ground crews could not reach this hiker. The mission fell to our Colorado Army National Guard aviators. Chief Warrant Officer 5 Mike Antinora and Chief Warrant Officer 4 Josh Friederichs flew their Black Hawk helicopter at the limits of its capabilities, hovering at 14,380 feet, while Sergeant Noah Jordan and Staff Sergeant Jake Beehler worked the hoist, lowering 180 feet of cable to reach where no one else could. They brought that hiker home safely. This is what our National Guard does not just in combat overseas but here at home when no one else can answer the call. I am proud to recognize Chief Warrant Officer Antinora, Chief Warrant Officer Friederichs, Sergeant Jordan, Staff Sergeant Beehler, and rescue technicians Gerrit Padgham and Steven Gosselin. Colorado is safer because of their service.”
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Colorado Army National Guard aviators who saved a life on one of Colorado’s most challenging peaks. Earlier this year, a hiker was stranded on Crestone Peak, more than 14,000 feet above sea level. Flight for Life cannot reach that altitude. Ground crews could not reach this hiker. The mission fell to our Colorado Army National Guard aviators. Chief Warrant Officer 5 Mike Antinora and Chief Warrant Officer 4 Josh Friederichs flew their Black Hawk helicopter at the limits of its capabilities, hovering at 14,380 feet, while Sergeant Noah Jordan and Staff Sergeant Jake Beehler worked the hoist, lowering 180 feet of cable to reach where no one else could. They brought that hiker home safely. This is what our National Guard does not just in combat overseas but here at home when no one else can answer the call. I am proud to recognize Chief Warrant Officer Antinora, Chief Warrant Officer Friederichs, Sergeant Jordan, Staff Sergeant Beehler, and rescue technicians Gerrit Padgham and Steven Gosselin. Colorado is safer because of their service.