[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 37 (Tuesday, April 5, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E542]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING LANCE CORPORAL NICHOLAS DAVID LARSON

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HENRY J. HYDE

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, April 5, 2005

  Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Marine Lance 
Corporal Nicholas David Larson of Wheaton, Illinois. Corporal Larson 
was killed on November 9, 2004 when his unit took fire from terrorists 
in the Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Nick was killed in the ensuing 
firefight. He had been serving in Iraq since mid June 2004 and his tour 
was set to end in January 2005.
  Lance Corporal Larson was 14 years old when he did more than 100 
push-ups for a recruiter. Nicholas told his mother after 9/11 that he 
joined the Marines because ``I just want to make a difference.''
  He began his service after graduating from Wheaton North High School 
in 2003. He was assigned to Company L, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine 
Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1, 1st Marine Division, Camp 
Pendleton, CA. Corporal Larson followed in the footsteps of his father, 
who served in the Navy.
  Teachers and administrators at Wheaton North High School described 
Nicholas as quiet and focused and an intense student. And always 
knowing he wanted to be a Marine.
  Lance Corporal Larson was a young man of only 19 when he made the 
ultimate sacrifice in service to his country. Our deepest sympathies to 
his beloved family: David and Anne Larson, and his sister Katie Larson. 
The entire community joins in mourning Nicholas's loss.
  We honor the memory of Lance Corporal Nicholas David Larson and the 
dedication and bravery with which he served our nation and the people 
of Iraq.

                          ____________________