[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 33 (Wednesday, March 15, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E365]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     IN MEMORY OF SSGT. JAY COLLADO

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOE WILSON

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 15, 2006

  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, on March 3, 2006, I 
attended the funeral of SSGT. Jay Collado, an American soldier from 
Columbia, South Carolina, who gave his life while serving his country 
in Baghdad, Iraq. The inspiring service was conducted by Fr. Wilbroad 
Mwape, the Catholic Chaplain of Providence Hospital in Columbia. His 
message of heroism and hope was presented with great sincerity.

       We have gathered here this morning to celebrate life for 
     Jay, for we believe death is not the end of our life but in 
     fact the beginning of a New, perfect and eternal life in 
     God's Kingdom. Jay died honorably and I really feel honored 
     to be part of this celebration of his life!
       Death indeed is a very painful experience for all of us 
     regardless of whatever age a beloved person died. We moan and 
     grieve for our beloved people knowing that we will never see 
     them again as human beings the way we are now! However, we 
     will moan and grieve not as unbelievers but as believers in 
     the life after death. And this is why we are here to 
     celebrate life and not death of SSgt Jay Collado!
       To the family of Jay, this is a terrible loss mostly that 
     Jay has gone at a very young age, he was only 31! You will 
     really moan and grieve as a family for this great loss of 
     your beloved one. However, as we have heard from the 
     scripture readings, death is not the end of life but a 
     beginning of a perfect and eternal life. Jay has only passed 
     by from our mother earth and enters into a new life where we 
     all look forward to be. As we heard, Jesus Christ says, He is 
     the life and the Resurrection who ever believes in him will 
     have eternal life. This is what Jay would like each one of us 
     to know that be is now resting eternally in God's Kingdom. 
     Jay will always be a gift to you as a family and you will 
     remember him in all the wonderful time you shared with him.
       SSgt Jay died for a noble cause in the country of Iraqi 
     fighting for a better life of humanity! He indeed died a 
     hero's death, he is a hero not only for the U.S., but the 
     whole humanity. Jay will remain a great inspiration not only 
     to the family, U.S. Marine Corps, or his country but to 
     humanity as whole. Jay chose to go to Iraq and fight for 
     freedom, peace and liberty for the Iraqi people and the whole 
     of Middle East, be would have chosen not to go if he had no 
     love for humanity. Jay will be remembered for his spirit of 
     sacrifice not only for the freedom, peace and liberty of U.S. 
     but the whole humanity. He chose to risk and sacrifice his 
     life for the love of people. This indeed is a wonderful 
     inspiration for all of us. Let us remember Jay by imitating 
     him, to be ready to risk and sacrifice our lives for the 
     freedom, peace and liberty of all human beings on earth. All 
     of us here we are enjoying the freedom, peace and liberty 
     because of people like Jay who sacrificed their lives for us, 
     many of whom we never knew or met!
       This indeed is SSgt Jay Collado's legacy, a young man who 
     risked and sacrificed his life for love of humanity. He is a 
     hero; let us honor him by learning from his exemplary life!

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