[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 75 (Wednesday, June 2, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E983]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              FALLEN HEROS

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. BARBARA CUBIN

                               of wyoming

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 20, 2004

  Mrs. CUBIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Marine Private First 
Class Chance Phelps.
  PFC Phelps, who spent much of his youth in Dubois, Wyoming, died in 
service to his country near Baghdad on April 9, 2004, Good Friday.
  Chance, just 19, had been in Iraq for a month as part of the 1st 
Marine Division, based at Twentynine Palms, California. He volunteered 
for the mission during which he was fatally wounded, serving as a 
machine gunner on an escort vehicle for an Army convoy from the Syrian 
border to Baghdad. Chance demonstrated incredible valor and courage and 
will appropriately be awarded the Purple Heart.
  As his mother, Gretchen Mack, noted, Chance didn't have to be a 
Marine, he wanted to be a Marine. After the terrorist attacks of 
September 11, his greatest desire was to serve his country and fight to 
preserve America's freedom and liberty. He did it. Both his father, 
John Phelps, and his mother are firm in their conviction that he 
willingly made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of his country.
  Like many Wyoming children, Chance spent time hunting, fishing and 
working cows at a friend's ranch. A true All-American boy, he was a 
star football player who made friends easily. He leaves behind a large, 
loving family and many friends who will miss him dearly.
  The way people felt about Chance was clear at his funeral service in 
Dubois. Hundreds of people lined the main street, young and old, each 
person holding aloft an American flag as Chance was carried to his 
final resting place in a horse-drawn carriage. It was a spontaneous 
demonstration of the love and admiration Chance inspired in anyone he 
met, and a testament to the sense of loss, and undying love of our 
country, that we all feel now that he's gone.
  Chance will be sorely missed, but he will forever remain a hero in 
the hearts of the people of Wyoming.

                          ____________________