On the recordMay 14, 2020
Madam President, I am here to add my voice to the eloquence of both Senator Cramer and Senator Schumer about the need to recognize those people who were lost on the Frank E. Evans. We had two sailors from New Hampshire who were lost that day: Ronald Arthur Thibodeau of Manchester, NH, joined the Navy in 1967, and he was assigned to the Frank E. Evans as radarman. Ron was on watch during the collision, and he was lost at sea, leaving behind a young son. And Gary Joseph Vigue, of Farmington, NH, was also on watch that night during the fatal collision. Gary had married his high school sweetheart a few weeks before he reported to the Frank E. Evans in 1968. Gary also left behind a young son and his two brothers who still live in New Hampshire. These two men, Gary and Ron, gave their lives for this country. These men were supporting operations during the Vietnam war, and they were planning to return to Vietnam waters once the training exercise was over. So, just like all those other people who were lost in Vietnam, they gave their lives for this country. And just because they were outside some artificially designated combat zone doesn't mean they shouldn't be recognized in the same way the others who were lost in Vietnam have been recognized. Now, this is May, the month of May. Memorial Day is approaching, a day during which our Nation honors the men and women who have died while serving in the U.S. military.…





