[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 140 (Monday, December 20, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2205]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 LOSS OF ARMY MAJ. HORST GERHARD MOORE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. SOLOMON P. ORTIZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, December 20, 2004

  Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to a great American 
patriot, Army Major Horst Gerhard ``Gary'' Moore of Los Fresnos Texas, 
who gave the last full measure of devotion to the country he loved and 
served when he was killed in Iraq in November.
  He was a child of the Army, following both his father and his 
grandfather in the uniformed services. Roaming the Nation at the whim 
of the U.S. Army as a child made him yearn for a home in which to grow 
old with his beloved wife, Raquel Vallejo-Moore.
  He came home from Iraq for a while and, before returning to the war 
zone in September, he and Raquel bought their dream home. Major Moore 
was killed in a mortar attack in Mosul, Iraq; he never even spent the 
night in their new home. He felt strongly about getting his family 
moved in and settled there.
  The last conversation with his wife was to wish her happy birthday. 
Major Moore served with the 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division for 
about a year, then he was deployed to Mosul, Iraq, in October to 
replace the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division. He served in the Army 
17 years and was considering retiring when his tour of duty ended in 
about 3 years.
  Soldiers who knew and served with Major Moore spoke candidly about 
the human side of this tough soldier. He was known for his kind and 
caring manner, and his absolute love of Raquel and their 2-year old 
daughter, Sophia.
  Like so many of our soldiers, Major Moore had a mindset that he could 
do anything. He lived life to the fullest, and often spoke of living in 
the moment and making the best out of life's challenges.
  I want the Major's daughter, Sophia, who is too young now to 
understand the depth of her father's sacrifice, to one day appreciate 
that her father loved this country--and her--enough to go in harm's way 
to protect our democracy.
  I ask my colleagues to remember this great patriot, his great 
sacrifice, and the family he leaves behind in South Texas.

                          ____________________