[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 128 (Thursday, October 3, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1733]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E1733]]



DEDICATION IN THE MEMORY OF MARINE CORPS PRIVATE FIRST CLASS FRANCIS M. 
                             FINNERTY, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARGE ROUKEMA

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, October 2, 2002

  Mrs. ROUKEMA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call the attention of my 
colleagues to a very special event to be held later this month in 
Washington Township, New Jersey.
  On October 20, 2002, the community of the Township and the Veterans 
of Foreign Wars Post 6192 will dedicate the intersection of Pascack and 
Westgate Avenues to one of Bergen County's fallen sons, Marine Corps 
Private First Class Francis M. Finnerty, Jr. PFC Finnerty, who made the 
ultimate sacrifice for his country, exemplifies the American values 
that have made our country great.
  PFC Finnerty arrived in Vietnam in August 1967, at the tender age of 
nineteen. A rifleman, he was the only soldier in his platoon to survive 
the battle of Hue in February 1968, later surviving almost a month in 
the mountains of Vietnam. Even before that--only two weeks after his 
arrival in Vietnam--PFC Finnerty earned a Purple Heart for injuries to 
his hand and leg suffered when he was wounded by a land mine in Thu 
Bai.
  Later, in an act of pure selflessness, PFC Finnerty elected to remain 
in Vietnam to fight, even when he became eligible to return to his home 
in Washington Township. Tragically, only a short time later, PFC 
Finnerty became the 117th serviceman from Bergen County to give his 
life for his country, when he was killed in Da Nang.
  Mr. Speaker, at a time when our Nation most needs its heroes, PFC 
Finnerty's selflessness, courage, and dedication to his country should 
serve as an example to us all. On October 20, 2002, our hearts will go 
out to PFC Finnerty's family--particularly his parents. Marion and 
Francis M. Finnerty--who will return to Washington Township as the 
Township and VFW Post 6192 dedicate one of the Township's streets in 
his memory.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to 
join me in recognizing this solemn occasion, and commemorating the 
sacrifice made by PFC Francis M. Finnerty, Jr. years ago so that we 
might all enjoy a more secure freedom today.

                          ____________________