[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 146 (Friday, October 17, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2071]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               TRIBUTE TO ARMY SPECIALIST JOSHUA NEUSCHE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. IKE SKELTON

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 16, 2003

  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, on October 26, 2003, a memorial service in 
honor of Army Specialist Joshua Neusche will be held at the Camden 
County Courthouse Square in Camdenton, Missouri. On this occasion, 
participants will dedicate a tree and marker on the courthouse lawn to 
the memory of one of our neighbors, a young man whose life was 
tragically cut short while he served his fellow Americans by wearing 
the uniform of a citizen soldier.
  Spc. Josh Neusche of Montreal, Missouri, was a member of the Missouri 
Army National Guard's 203rd Engineer Battalion from Joplin. He deployed 
to Iraq with his unit in May 2003. During this deployment, Spc. Neusche 
became seriously ill and passed away on July 12, 2003.
  By all accounts, he was an outstanding young man and a favorite among 
his friends. Josh graduated from Camdenton High School in 2002. A 
participant in a number of extracurricular activities, Josh played in 
the Laker Band and the Pep Band, ran for the award winning track and 
cross country teams, was elected 2002 Prom King, tutored children in 
the A+ Program, and volunteered with the Big Brothers and Big Sisters 
in Camdenton. He was a member of the Buffalo Prairie Baptist Church in 
Montreal, Missouri.
  Prior to his Guard activation, Josh attended Southwest Missouri State 
University while holding a full-time job and finding time to volunteer 
at the Boys' Club in Springfield, Missouri. He inspired loyalty and 
affection from his friends, as evidenced by the fact that the members 
of his unit took up a collection after Josh became ill which allowed 
his family to visit him in the hospital in Germany.
  In wartime, the very best young people our country produces are asked 
to risk and possibly lose their lives in order to advance our national 
interests. In peacetime, serving as an airman, sailor, soldier, or 
marine also requires a great deal of hard work and sacrifice. Whether 
in war or in peace, those sacrifices are particularly difficult for the 
service members' families.
  We can only imagine the pain felt by Josh's family--particularly by 
his mother, Cindy, his father, Mark, and his brother, Jake--as they 
have been forced to deal with his untimely death and this sudden, 
unexpected loss. Our deepest sympathy goes out to his entire family and 
circle of friends.
  Our nation owes a debt of gratitude to Spc. Neusche for his service 
to our country. We also owe more than we can ever repay to Josh's 
family, who raised this young man and instilled in him the values that 
enabled him to succeed as an American soldier. On behalf of my fellow 
Missourians and my fellow Americans, I thank the Neusche family for 
their selfless contribution and immeasurable sacrifice.

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