[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 76 (Thursday, June 3, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1026]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             FALLEN HEROES

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. MICHAEL N. CASTLE

                              of delaware

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 20, 2004

  Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of a brave young Army 
Ranger who died Thursday, April 3, 2003, due to a suicide car-bomber at 
a checkpoint northwest of Baghdad. United States Army Specialist Ryan 
P. Long was a proud Ranger who gave his life, along with two of his 
fellow soldiers, helping the Third Battalion of the Seventy-fifth 
Ranger Regiment operate a checkpoint outside of Baghdad.
  At only twenty one-years of age, Ryan was an inspirational young 
Delawarean who graduated from Seafood High School in June of 1999, 
where he had been vice commander of the Naval Junior ROTC program. Ryan 
joined the Army and became an Army Ranger, where he was part of an 
elite group chosen to carry out special missions. He was stationed in 
Fort Benning, Georgia and was deployed twice to Afghanistan before his 
service in Iraq, where he continued the noble fight against terror.
  Ryan was a patriotic American who enjoyed soccer, golf, snowboarding, 
and motorcycles. Ryan was a fourth generation soldier, his father is 
retired Major Rudolf ``Rudy'' Long. Ryan followed in his family's 
tradition and chose to serve his country. He will be deeply missed by 
his parents, Rudy and Donna, and brother, his friends, teachers, and 
fellow soldiers.
  Mr. Speaker, it is my sincere privilege to honor the life of a proud 
Ranger and heroic representative of the State of Delaware. Army 
Specialist Ryan P. Long deserves our gratitude and respect.