[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 055 (Monday, April 7, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E689-E690]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING LANCE CORPORAL PATRICK O'DAY, USMC, WHO WAS KILLED IN 
                      ACTION IN IRAQ 24 MARCH 2003

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 7, 2003

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart 
that I rise today to pay tribute to Lance Corporal Patrick O'Day, USMC, 
who was killed in action in Iraq 24 March 2003. Corporal O'Day, 20-
year-old resident of Sonoma County, California, answered his country's 
call and paid the ultimate price.
  Corporal O'Day served as a Tank Crewman/Gunner with the 1st Tank 
Battalion, 7th Regiment, 1st Marine Division. His tank was crossing the 
Euphrates River northwest of Nasiriyah in Southern Iraq when it plunged 
off a bridge and submerged in the river. All four crewmembers perished.

[[Page E690]]

  Corporal O'Day was born in Scotland and moved to Sonoma County when 
he was three years old. He loved his adopted country and chose to serve 
in the Marines, enlisting immediately after graduating from Santa Rosa 
High School. He was drawn to the Marines because of its reputation as 
the toughest of the military branches and he was driven to succeed. 
When he developed stress fractures in his legs during boot camp, he 
spent six months in rehabilitation rather than accept a medical 
discharge.
  Corporal O'Day was the eldest of four boys. His brothers looked up to 
him for guidance and counsel.
  He met his wife, Shauna, in high school. They married last fall and 
their first child will be born in September.
  Corporal O'Day's tragic death reminds us that however just the cause, 
war brings tragedy to far too many families and that any casualty is 
one too many.
  Corporal O'Day died serving the country he loved, with comrades he 
loved and with the love of his wife and family in his heart. Our nation 
is humbled and grateful for his sacrifice.
  Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we recognize Lance 
Corporal Patrick O'Day, USMC, who gave his life in service to his 
country.

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