[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E41-E42]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF ROY ``TANK'' COLBRUNN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL R. TURNER

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 16, 2025

  Mr. TURNER of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I want to honor the life and service 
of Roy Colbrunn, known affectionately by his friends and family as 
``Tank,'' who suddenly passed away at the age of 68. He was a close 
friend and an outstanding public servant, who will be deeply missed by 
all who had the pleasure of knowing him.
  Tank was raised in Vienna, Ohio and attended Youngstown State 
University. He proudly served his country in the United States Marine 
Corps. During his enlistment, he was selected to serve as one of two 
USMC representatives on the honor detail, and as a pallbearer of an 
unknown Revolutionary War soldier.
  Tank began his lifelong career as a firefighter as a volunteer with 
the Vienna Township Fire Department. He accepted a full-time 
firefighting position at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in 1985 and 
quickly rose through the tanks to Captain. He was elected and served 
several terms as president of the International Association of Fire 
Fighters (IAFF), Local F-88.
  Beginning in 1997, Tank took his mission of public service beyond the 
walls of the fire station by serving his community of Xenia Township in 
multiple roles as a volunteer and part-time firefighter, and as a 
member of the local zoning board. Tank retired from Wright Patterson in 
2013, and from the Xenia Township Fire Department in 2016.
  Tank served many roles as an IAFF leader: president of Local F-88, 
16th District Field Service Representative to the District Vice 
President, Air Force Materiel Command IAFF Union Liaison, and Federal 
Joint Council Vice President.
  As a union leader, Tank negotiated six Command Labor Agreement 
Contracts, numerous local union contracts across the country, and 
fought for the Interests of Department of Defense firefighters. He was 
instrumental in moving IAFF Local F-88 to a 48-72-hour schedule, 
significantly improving the quality of life for firefighters.
  Tank was a driving force behind the requirement to staff aircraft 
rescue firefighting vehicles with three personnel, prioritizing not 
only the safety of firefighters but also our Nation's air crews. His 
vast knowledge, leadership, dedication, charismatic personality and 
unwavering care for those he met earned him much deserved admiration 
and love from those who are his ``Brothers and Sisters.''
  Tank was a big man, with an even bigger heart, known for his kind and 
gentle nature,

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and his wonderful sense of humor. These attributes served him well as a 
labor mediator. He had an unwavering love for his family, his friends, 
and his community.
  I had the pleasure and opportunity to meet and work with Tank on 
important fire services issues. I admired his dedication to his 
profession and to his fellow firefighters, and his tireless work on 
their behalf. He will be greatly missed, but certainly not forgotten.
  I offer my sincerest condolences to his wife, LuAnn, daughter 
Kaleena, and their entire family.

                          ____________________