[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 86 (Monday, June 21, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1193]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 TO HONOR THE FALLEN FROM SOUTH FLORIDA

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 21, 2004

  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to honor the heroes who 
have given their lives in our fight against world terrorism. Every 
generation of Americans has been asked to leave their farms and towns 
and cities so that freedom could be spread throughout the world. As a 
citizen of this great Nation, I honor the sacrifices of the military in 
Iraq, Afghanistan, and all over the world who have given their lives in 
the fight against terrorism, and those who before them paid the 
ultimate price for freedom.
  Like their forefathers in World War II, Floridians who have fought in 
the name of freedom are selfless citizens who answered the call of 
duty. Among these are my husband Dexter Lehtinen, who served this 
country bravely in the Vietnam War, and my stepson, Aviator 1st 
Lieutenant Douglas Hooper Lehtinen, who is currently serving in the 
Marines. Special mention is due to honor the six soldiers from South 
Florida who lost their lives in our war against world terrorism. I, and 
all of the citizens in my district, am thankful for their service.
  This Nation can never repay the debt owed to these six men; their 
honor and service, however, will never be forgotten. In Operation 
Enduring Freedom, South Florida lost Army Specialist Pedro Lazaro Pena-
Suarez, who was 35 when he lost his life in Kuwait on November 7, 2002. 
During Operation Iraqi Freedom, we lost Marine Corporal Armando Ariel 
Gonzalez, who was 25 when he gave his life in Iraq on April 14, 2003. 
Army Private First Class Charles M. Sims was only 18 when he perished 
in Baghdad on October 3, 2003. Army Sergeant Edmond L. Randle was 26 
when he gave his life in the north of Taji on January 17, 2004. Army 
1st Lieutenant Christopher J. Kenny was 32 when he fell in Baghad on 
May 3, 2004, and Army Private First Class Jeremy Ricardo Ewing, who was 
22, gave his life in Baghdad on April 29, 2004. Coast Guard Petty 
Officer 3rd Class Nathan B. Bruckenthal, 24, based in Opa Locka, 
perished on April 24, 2004 in the Northern Persian Gulf.
  These men remind us that freedom is indeed not free. We must forever 
be vigilant to the rise of tyranny and be willing to fight it wherever 
it exists. We must never take for granted our democratic government. We 
must remember that in places like Cuba, North Korea, and Iran, human 
beings are still oppressed by horrible dictators. Let us fight these 
regimes until freedom rings in every nation of the world.
  God bless all the men and women in our armed forces who have given 
their lives so that others may live in freedom.

                          ____________________