[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 63 (Wednesday, April 30, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E805]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            IN HONOR OF MARINE CPL. KEMAPHOOM A. CHANAWONGSE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN B. LARSON

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 29, 2003

  Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring to my 
colleagues' attention the tragic death of a young man from my home 
state of Connecticut, Marine Cpl. Kemaphoom Chanawongse, known as 
``Ahn.''
  On March 23, 2003, Marine Cpl. Chanawongse came under fire during a 
heroic attempt to secure a bridge over the Euphrates River near An 
Nasiriyah and was killed when the vehicle he commanded took a direct 
hit. ``Ahn'' was just 22 years old when he sacrificed his life for his 
new country.
  Ahn's family immigrated to the United States from Thailand when he 
was 9 years old. He was an excellent student and skilled artist, and 
developed a keen interest in law enforcement. Following the steps of 
his grandfather who was a Group Commander in the Royal Thai Air Force, 
Marine Corporal Chanawongse was dedicated to his mission and proud of 
being a U.S. Marine. Both his grandfather and his brother, who is a 
student and teaches English in Thailand, have traveled here for the 
funeral services at Arlington National Cemetery.
  Nicknamed ``Chuckles'' for his sense of humor, Ahn was highly 
respected and well-liked by his fellow marines. He served the United 
States in the 2nd Assault Amphibious Battalion, 2nd Marine Division of 
Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
  News of Marine Corporal Chanawongse's death reached his family and 
friends after three painful weeks of waiting while he was listed as 
missing in action. The Town of Waterford, Connecticut quickly rallied 
in support in many ways, including the establishment of a memorial fund 
and a scholarship fund at Waterford High School for students with high 
aspirations like Ahn's.
  In honor of Ahn, Connecticut Governor John Rowland ordered the state 
and national flags to fly at half-staff from Wednesday, April 16 until 
sunset tomorrow, April 30, when Ahn will be buried at Arlington. Today, 
a traditional Thai merit-making ceremony is being held in his memory at 
the Thai Buddhist temple ``Wat Thai Washington D.C.'' after which his 
remains will be cremated.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to 
Marine Cpl. Kemaphoom A. Chanawongse, who sacrificed his life for the 
just causes of our war on terrorism. Let us wish for him, according to 
the Thai sentiment, ``kor joang pai su sukah-ti tert.

                          ____________________