[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 144 (Thursday, November 3, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2271]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING SPC DERENCE JEFFREY W. JACK AND SSG WILGENE T. LIETO

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, November 3, 2005

  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the two soldiers 
from the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands who became 
casualties of Operation Iraqi Freedom on October 31, 2005 in Iraq. 
Specialist Derence Jeffrey W. Jack and Staff Sergeant Wilgene T. Lieto 
made the ultimate sacrifice in support of the global war on terror, and 
in doing so, helped to preserve our freedom. SSG Lieto served in Iraq 
as a Sergeant--the U.S. Army awarded him a posthumous promotion to 
Staff Sergeant. These soldiers left their homes and their families to 
answer the call of duty as members of the E Company, 100th Battalion, 
442nd Infantry Regiment of the U.S. Army Reserve. On behalf of our 
communities in the Northern Marianas and Guam, I join with our local 
leaders in offering our sincerest condolences to the family of Derence 
Jeffrey W. Jack, especially his wife Melissa Jack and their daughter, 
and to the family of Wilgene T. Lieto, especially his wife Tiara Lieto 
and their son and daughter. The service and sacrifice of these soldiers 
will always be remembered and I join our Pacific island community in 
honoring the patriotism of these Army reservists. Derence Jeffrey W. 
Jack, from Gualo Rai, Saipan, was a manager at the Bank of Guam branch 
in Saipan. Wilgene T. Lieto, from Tanapag, Saipan, was a police 
officer. SPC Jack and SSG Lieto were part of the ``Go For Broke'' 
Battalion, serving with fellow soldiers from Guam, the Northern 
Marianas, American Samoa, and Hawaii. Although their loss brings great 
sadness to the people of the Northern Marianas and Guam, we take 
comfort in knowing that that these soldiers served with honor. May God 
bless them and their families.

                          ____________________