CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF ROY "TANK" COLBRUNN

CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF ROY "TANK" COLBRUNN

Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 9 (Thursday, January 16, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 9 (Thursday, January 16, 2025)] [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, [[Page E42]] 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. ____________________