[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 37 (Tuesday, March 23, 2004)]
[House]
[Page H1348]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            TRIBUTE TO U.S. MARINE CORPORAL DAVID M. VICENTE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Meehan) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. MEEHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight to honor a true hero, Marine 
Corporal David M. Vicente, who gave his life in service to this country 
in Iraq. Corporal Vicente was a resident of Methuen, Massachusetts; and 
he was deployed with the brave men and women serving in our Armed 
Forces as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom II.
  David arrived in Iraq just 2 weeks ago; and he died tragically on 
March 19, 2004, when a Humvee in which he was patrolling hit a land 
mine near the town of Hit, Iraq. David had just celebrated his 25th 
birthday and was newly engaged to his beloved girlfriend, Alexandria. 
His friends and family recalled David's knack for fixing things and a 
fondness for all things mechanical, from remote-control racing cars to 
his Chevrolet short-bed pickup truck.
  Since he was a small child, David Vicente knew what he wanted to be, 
a United States Marine. While his friends dressed in overalls and T-
shirts, David grew up wearing fatigues and combat boots. His friends at 
Greater Lawrence Technical School never doubted him when David would 
declare, One day, I want to be a Marine.
  David's dream came true when he joined the Marine Corps 6 months 
prior to the September 11 terrorist attacks on our Nation. He trained 
as a rifleman while based at Twenty-nine Palms, California, and rose to 
serve his country valiantly and faithfully as a corporal with the 2nd 
battalion of the 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division.
  David's parents, Orlando and Celeste, are proud of their son, not 
just for the supreme sacrifice he made on behalf of his country, but 
for the honor he brought to them as a Marine. The bumper sticker on the 
family's car affirms their pride, ``My son is a United States Marine.''
  One morning following the tragedy of September 11, Celeste Vicente 
discovered someone had draped an American flag over their family car. 
She felt that it was not only touched by her son's service but wanted 
to honor all of our troops for their courageous efforts on our behalf.
  I spoke to Celeste today, and like so many other parents of soldiers 
who have lost their lives, she expressed concerns about her son and 
other soldiers not having the equipment, the gear, the technology that 
they need. I told her today that I am going to work with other Members 
of the Congress to make sure that we get what our troops need 
immediately.
  Today, I have also requested an American flag be flown over the 
United States Capitol in memory of Corporal David Vicente to honor his 
brave service to this country. This flag will be delivered to his 
family.
  David died fighting for the country he loved, alongside comrades that 
he respected and with the family he adored forever in his heart.
  Our Nation is humbled and grateful for his sacrifice.
  Mr. Speaker, we should all take a moment to recognize Corporal David 
M. Vicente, United States Marine Corps, who gave his life in service to 
the country he loved.

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