[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 80 (Tuesday, June 3, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1108]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               IN MEMORY OF LANCE CORPORAL MATTHEW SMITH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MIKE PENCE

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 3, 2003

  Mr. PENCE. Mr. Speaker, it is with equal amounts of profound pride 
and sympathy that I come to the floor this morning. I rise to honor a 
noble American . . . Lance Corporal Matthew R. Smith, a Marine Corps 
reservist from Anderson IN, who was killed Saturday, May 10, while 
serving his country in Kuwait. Lance Corporal Smith lost his life in a 
vehicle collision while running supply missions between Iraq and 
Kuwait. Lance Cpl. Smith was just 20 years old. He is survived by his 
father David, his mother Patricia, and by his brother Mason.
  Lance Corporal Smith was assigned to Detachment 1, Communications 
Company, Headquarters and Service Battalion, 4th Force Service Support 
Group based in Peru, IN, an outfit he had served selflessly and 
courageously since enlisting in June of 2001.
  Lance Corporal Smith's father David said that his son had an intense 
love for the Corps, and his fellow Marines. Mr. Smith told the 
Indianapolis Star, ``How many people on this Earth die doing the job 
they know they were put here to do.'' His Aunt Vicki added, ``He died 
doing what he believed in.''
  Lance Corporal Smith was a student of history--he was enrolled at 
Indiana University before he was called to active duty--an interest he 
vigorously embraced in his free time, in the classroom, and as a member 
of the Social Studies Academic Team. His school teachers recall a young 
man often expressing blunt, straight-forward and in-your-face 
viewpoints which they always found to be well researched and 
sophisticated for his age. He was also an accomplished athlete; he 
spent time during high school playing rugby and was active in other 
outdoor activities.
  Mr. Speaker, Lance Corporal Smith joins the 137 other proud and 
distinguished Americans who have made the ultimate sacrifice--these 
wonderful men and women gave their lives in defense of freedom, a 
freedom we all too often take for granted.
  May God bless the family of Lance Corporal Smith during this 
difficult time, and may they experience the prayers and thanks of a 
grateful nation. May they rest upon the promise of Jeremiah 31:13, ``I 
will turn their mourning into gladness. I will give them comfort and 
joy instead of sorrow.''

                          ____________________