[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 121 (Thursday, September 30, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1743]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E1743]]
  IN HONOR AND IN MEMORY OF SERGEANT FOSTER L. HARRINGTON OF MOBILE, 
                                ALABAMA

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 29, 2004

  Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, just over one week ago, the First 
Congressional District of Alabama and indeed, our entire State and 
Nation, said goodbye to another casualty of the war in Iraq.
  Marine Sergeant Foster L. Harrington, a native of New York and 
longtime resident of Fort Worth, Texas, moved to Mobile, Alabama 18 
months ago. Twelve years ago, he had joined the Marine Corps Reserve 
and was most recently assigned to an elite reserve unit, the 3rd Force 
Reconnaissance Company, based in Mobile.
  In June of this year, Sergeant Harrington's unit was activated and, 
following a pre-deployment stop in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, was 
sent to Iraq. His company was stationed in the Al Anbar Province of 
Iraq and it was in that region that, on September 20, 2004, the unit 
came into contact with members of the Iraqi insurgency. During an 
exchange of fire between the company and the insurgents, Sergeant 
Harrington was killed.
  During his career in the Marine Corps Reserve, Sergeant Harrington 
set a standard of excellence and displayed the qualities of discipline, 
devotion, and dedication to country that are the hallmarks of men and 
women throughout the long and distinguished history of the American 
military.
  Sergeant Harrington also displayed an active and deep concern for his 
neighbors in the Mobile area, serving as a firefighter and medic with 
the Seven Hills Volunteer Fire Department prior to his deployment to 
Iraq. A telling story of his concern for others came just days before 
he died. Even with the difficult situation he and his comrades were 
facing in Iraq, Sergeant Harrington's first concern was for his many 
friends and colleagues in the Mobile area who were awaiting the arrival 
of Hurricane Ivan. For several days prior to his death, including the 
Sunday before the attack which claimed his life, Sergeant Harrington 
telephoned his fiancee to check on her and her family and made sure 
they were out of harm's way.
  It is appropriate for us to pause and give thanks to God that there 
are still young men like Foster L. Harrington. His life and actions 
personified the very best America has to offer.
  Mr. Speaker, as you can imagine, south Alabama is truly mourning the 
loss of this fine young man. I urge my colleagues to take a moment and 
pay tribute to Sergeant Foster L. Harrington and his selfless devotion 
to not only our country and the freedom we enjoy, but to a people who 
are but now in the infant stages of a new life--a new freedom--in their 
own land.
  We should also remember his fiancee, Fran Poston, and his many 
friends and colleagues in Mobile, Alabama. Our prayer is that God will 
give them all the strength and courage that only He can provide to 
sustain them during the difficult days ahead.

                          ____________________