[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 8] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page 10918] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]A TRIBUTE TO COLONEL KENNETH FLOWERS ______ HON. MIKE McINTYRE of north carolina in the house of representatives Wednesday, May 21, 2008 Mr. McINTYRE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the career of Colonel Kenneth Flowers from Red Springs, North Carolina. With 26 years of active commissioned service, Colonel Flowers has served our country in a variety of diverse assignments. Now, as he prepares for retirement, I ask that you join me in recognizing his long and honorable career of service. Colonel Flowers' assignments have been extensive. He has served as Director of Open Systems Joint Task Force, an Army Staff Officer, Commander, Signal Officer, Platoon Leader, and Battalion Staff Officer, to name only a few. Colonel Flowers' awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with 6 Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, the Office of the Secretary of Defense Staff Badge, the Army Staff Badge, the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, and the Army Superior Unit Award. His hard work has benefitted his community and nation, and for that reason I stand today to express my deepest appreciation. Colonel Flowers currently resides in Manassas, Virginia, and has been blessed with a wife and two children. He will be retiring from his current assignment to the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Networks and Information Integration. I wish the very best for Colonel Flowers in his future endeavors, and I ask that you join me today in recognition of his impressive career of courageous duty and enduring public service. ____________________