[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 102 (Thursday, July 11, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1245]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   IN MEMORIAM--BRIAN WILLIAM McVEIGH

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOHN L. MICA

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 10, 1996

  Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, Brian William McVeigh, Airman First Class, 
U.S. Air Force, was born in Sanford, FL and a resident of Debary, FL. 
Airman McVeigh was killed in a terrorist attack in Dhahran, Saudia 
Arabia June 25, 1996. The following are remarks by U.S. Congressman 
John L. Mica at his memorial service at the Trinity Assembly of God 
Church in Deltona, FL on July 3, 1996:

       We come together as loved ones, neighbors and Christians to 
     recall the life of Brian McVeigh. We come together today to 
     honor the service of Brian McVeigh to his country. How 
     honored am I as Brian's Congressman to be asked to help pay 
     tribute to his memory. However, as my first responsibility I 
     must on behalf of the entire Florida congressional delegation 
     and on behalf of all the citizens of our community and State 
     extend my deepest sympathy to Brian's family and loved ones.
       To Brian's parents and especially his mother Sandy Wetmore, 
     I cannot think of any greater sacrifice than for a mother to 
     loose a son in service to his country. To Brian's loved ones 
     and his fiance--we as a community share your grief. To 
     Brian's friends we as a community mourn your loss. To the 
     terrorist who cowardly took Brian and 18 other Americans from 
     us we will not rest until justice is served. Today we gather 
     as a family, friends, and a community to remember Brian's 
     sacrifice and death in service to our country. Tomorrow, 
     ironically we celebrate the anniversary of the birth of our 
     Nation.
       Without the service and sacrifice of patriots and heroes 
     like Brian McVeigh there would be no Independence Day. There 
     would be no America as we know it. So today we recall as we 
     have for 220 years that freedom has never been free. Today we 
     honor a modern patriot, Brian McVeigh for his life, his 
     service, and his love.
       Brian's life should be a reminder of a comment he was said 
     to have made, that ``He wanted to give something back to this 
     country.'' Brian's service to his country should be 
     remembered by us all, for he placed it before his own life 
     and he sacrificed his life in service to all Americans. 
     Brian's love we celebrate together today, his love for his 
     mother, his love for his fiance and family and his love for 
     his God and his country. The sad part about today is that we 
     cannot have one brief moment as loved ones to tell Brian how 
     much we cared. The sad part about today is that we cannot 
     have one moment as friends and a community to tell Brian how 
     much his service to our Nation meant to each of us.
       The wonderful thing about today is we have Brian's life to 
     remember as an example to all of us. So as we gather this 
     week to celebrate our Nation's birth and everyday and every 
     holiday, let us remember Brian and all the other patriots 
     whose memory we must always cradle in our hearts. Let us 
     remember our hero, Brian McVeigh.
       May God bless Brian and God bless America.

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