To Honor The Fallen From South Florida

To Honor The Fallen From South Florida -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 21, 2004)

SPEECH OF
HON. ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN
OF FLORIDA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

MONDAY, JUNE 21, 2004

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to honor the heroes who have given their lives in our fight against world terrorism. Every generation of Americans has been asked to leave their farms and towns and cities so that freedom could be spread throughout the world. As a citizen of this great Nation, I honor the sacrifices of the military in Iraq, Afghanistan, and all over the world who have given their lives in the fight against terrorism, and those who before them paid the ultimate price for freedom.

Like their forefathers in World War II, Floridians who have fought in the name of freedom are selfless citizens who answered the call of duty. Among these are my husband Dexter Lehtinen, who served this country bravely in the Vietnam War, and my stepson, Aviator 1st Lieutenant Douglas Hooper Lehtinen, who is currently serving in the Marines. Special mention is due to honor the six soldiers from South Florida who lost their lives in our war against world terrorism. I, and all of the citizens in my district, am thankful for their service.

This Nation can never repay the debt owed to these six men; their honor and service, however, will never be forgotten. In Operation Enduring Freedom, South Florida lost Army Specialist Pedro Lazaro Pena-Suarez, who was 35 when he lost his life in Kuwait on November 7, 2002. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, we lost Marine Corporal Armando Ariel Gonzalez, who was 25 when he gave his life in Iraq on April 14, 2003. Army Private First Class Charles M. Sims was only 18 when he perished in Baghdad on October 3, 2003. Army Sergeant Edmond L. Randle was 26 when he gave his life in the north of Taji on January 17, 2004. Army 1st Lieutenant Christopher J. Kenny was 32 when he fell in Baghad on May 3, 2004, and Army Private First Class Jeremy Ricardo Ewing, who was 22, gave his life in Baghdad on April 29, 2004. Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Nathan B. Bruckenthal, 24, based in Opa Locka, perished on April 24, 2004 in the Northern Persian Gulf.

These men remind us that freedom is indeed not free. We must forever be vigilant to the rise of tyranny and be willing to fight it wherever it exists. We must never take for granted our democratic government. We must remember that in places like Cuba, North Korea, and Iran, human beings are still oppressed by horrible dictators. Let us fight these regimes until freedom rings in every nation of the world.

God bless all the men and women in our armed forces who have given their lives so that others may live in freedom.

END