[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 68 (Friday, May 14, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E866]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E866]]
  IN RECOGNITION OF SGT. S.J. TESKE AND THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE U.S. 
                                MILITARY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. E. CLAY SHAW, JR.

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 13, 2004

  Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the men and women of 
the United States armed services currently serving in the theaters of 
Afghanistan and Iraq. These men and women, from a diverse, cross-
section of America perform their duties with pride and deep patriotism. 
Our solders remain committed to fulfilling a democratic Iraq where men, 
women and children can freely live without fear of a dictatorial regime 
and the suppression of individual freedoms. The successes that 
liberated Afghanistan from the Taliban and Iraq from Saddam Hussein 
resulted from the commitment, skill and expertise our solders displayed 
on the battlefield.
  Mr. Speaker, I recently spoke to Sargent S.J. Teske of Boca Raton. 
Sgt. Teske is a member of the U.S. Marine Corps and has recently been 
deployed to the Iraq region. Following my conversation, I was presented 
with a letter written by this brave American. I ask unanimous consent 
to include Sgt. Teske's letter in to the Congressional Record.
  May God bless Sgt. Teske and the men and women of our armed forces.

                    A Letter From One of Our Troops

                                                    April 5, 2004.
       To Whom It May Concern: This afternoon I received a phone 
     call from my brother requesting me to write a letter about 
     how I felt about being deployed to Iraq. A relatively easy 
     task to which I replied, ``No problem, you will have it 
     tonight.'' I debated as to whether I should give a generic, 
     political or military answer or one that came from my heart. 
     Needless to say, last night came and went.
       I lay in bed looking at my fiance fast asleep and our 
     darling 1 year old lab curled up next to me, thinking about 
     the weeks that lie ahead and how few I have left prior to my 
     departure. Visions of the good-byes I would soon have to make 
     to my parents, brothers, sisters, fiance and friends ran 
     through my mind and my eyes quickly swelled with tears. I 
     thought about my 10 year high school reunion that I would 
     miss in November, Christmas, birthdays, my best friend's 
     wedding, dropping out of school, taking a $30,000 salary cut 
     and how my fiance and family would have to take on so many 
     responsibilities. Then the thoughts about why I had joined 
     the Marine Corps 9.5 years ago came to mind, the blood, 
     sweat, tears and pain throughout those years I put my body 
     through to become one of ``The Few''. As my mind recaptured 
     all of these memories and the soon approaching anxieties I 
     decided that this is my answer to that question:
       I feel that it is my responsibility to deploy to Iraq and 
     partake in Operation Iraqi Freedom, not just as a 
     responsibility to my troops and the Marine Corps, but to our 
     Country. Freedom is not free. The fatigues I wear do not 
     represent the United States Marine Corps; they represent all 
     who have given their lives before me so I could have the 
     opportunity to wear them. I belong to a brotherhood of 
     individuals who are willing to sacrifice the most priceless 
     gift, so others can know how amazing the meaning of Freedom 
     really is. It is a responsibility and an obligation to a 
     commitment made so many years ago that I still today continue 
     to choose to be apart of. I find pleasure in the simple 
     things in life and the things you cannot buy or put a price 
     tag on, it is these things we most often take for granted, 
     and the cost of maintaining and defending them is Freedom--
     this is my job and my motivation.
       I certainly don't benefit from monetary remunerations, our 
     accommodations most often are made of the ground we walk on 
     and the MREs we eat would not be considered as edible staples 
     by most people's standards. The luxury of a shower or a cold 
     glass of water are things that are most often, taken for 
     granted, still I believe that our rewards are much greater. 
     When I see innocent children laughing on their way to school, 
     not worrying about the brutalities of war, destruction or 
     hatred, my heart smiles. Sunday mornings sitting in the pew 
     at church I understand what the definition of Freedom really 
     is. Our Flag flying so proudly above every building stands 
     for everything we are defending. To have the opportunity to 
     continue my education, have a career, a home, vehicles and a 
     family--that ``wows'' me. Our country is so spectacular, so 
     beautiful, so amazing, so incredible and so untainted 
     compared to that of not only my destination, but also so many 
     others. I am proud to be a part of a mission that will make a 
     difference not only in our generation, but our world. I have 
     Faith that we will endure, and we will succeed in this war on 
     terror. For me, there is an Honor and Pride that goes along 
     with that.
       I find strength in knowing that I am a part of an 
     organization that is determined to end terrorism and 
     overwhelmed with the confidence within us that we will 
     succeed. Our Nation or any other Nation should never again 
     have to feel the agony we felt on September 11th. I believe 
     in God, our Marine Corps and our Country. Conclusively, what 
     I feel about being deployed to Iraq and the sacrifices that 
     will go along with it, is that I am proud to defend a Flag 
     whose colors will never run, a military that will never 
     falter and proud to serve such an amazing Nation. God Bless 
     America and Semper Fidelis.
     SJ TESKE, SGT USMC

                          ____________________