Jimmy Patronis: “I am privileged to represent more than 75,000 veterans that I represent in my district in northwest Florida. Florida…”

“I am privileged to represent more than 75,000 veterans that I represent in my district in northwest Florida. Florida serves as one of the most veteran-friendly States in the entire country. Mr. Speaker, it is with great sorrow today that I acknowledge the passing and honor the memory of one of those great heroes, Captain Allen Colby Brady of Pensacola and his outstanding service to the United States. Captain Brady lived as a resident of Pensacola off and on for nearly 50 years, becoming a permanent resident in 1994 after marrying his wife, Dianne, in 1994. Born in 1929 into a naval family, Captain Brady committed to attend the Naval Academy and become a pilot at just 8 years old. He fulfilled that vow after graduating from Annapolis in 1951 and earned his wings in Pensacola 2 years later. He flew combat missions in Korea, survived nuclear weapons testing in the Pacific, participated in Cold War operations during the Taiwan Strait crisis, and then played a secret role in the Bay of Pigs invasion. He flew defense of freedom throughout the world. However, his most harrowing test came in January 1967, when he was shot down over North Korea. Allen was captured and spent more than 6 years--that is 2,237 days--as a POW in the infamous Hanoi Hilton, enduring brutal torture, unimaginable conditions, and profound isolation. He never broke. He returned with honor.”