[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 66 (Tuesday, May 21, 2002)]
[House]
[Page H2669]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  TRIBUTE TO SERGEANT GENE ARDEN VANCE AND THE WEST VIRGINIA NATIONAL 
                                 GUARD

  (Mrs. CAPITO asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, over the weekend the war on terrorism 
claimed another casualty, the first casualty of a National Guardsman 
and the first casualty from my home State of West Virginia.
  Sergeant Gene Arden Vance of Morgantown, West Virginia, was killed in 
eastern Afghanistan after his unit came under heavy fire. Sergeant 
Vance served in the 19th Special Forces Unit of the West Virginia 
National Guard and has been stationed in the Middle East for the past 5 
months.
  Like many National Guardsmen, Sergeant Vance lived a productive life 
in his local community, working at the local bicycle and kayak 
outfitting shop in Morgantown while maintaining his training and skill 
to be called on to serve his country on a moment's notice.
  On September 11, newly married and just beginning a new semester at 
West Virginia University, he put his studies and his honeymoon on hold 
to fight terror in the name of freedom. As an American, it is difficult 
to hear of any soldier dying in the name of freedom, but in this 
instance it is especially sad to me and my fellow West Virginians 
because Sergeant Vance was one of our own.
  Sergeant Vance died honorably in service to his country. His story of 
leaving his home to be called to help fight the war on terrorism is the 
story of many other men and women who serve in our National Guard. 
Their heroic and noble dedication is an invaluable part of America's 
work in defending liberty.
  On behalf of the men and women of the Second Congressional District 
of West Virginia, I would like to extend our deepest condolences to 
Sergeant Vance's family and loved ones. Our thoughts and our prayers 
are with them at this very difficult time.

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