[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 49 (Monday, March 31, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H1792-H1793]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CORPORAL SCOTT A. McINTOSH--TEXAS WARRIOR
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Poe) is recognized for 5 minutes.
Mr. POE. Mr. Speaker, the youth of our Nation have always been
willing to
[[Page H1793]]
volunteer and take care of the rest of us in times of war. Sometimes
those young men and women give their lives for the rest of us. United
States Army Corporal Scott A. McIntosh, of Humble, Texas, was one of
those noble few. He was killed in Iraq on March 10, 2008 by a suicide
bomber, and he was awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star.
Not only was he a loyal and courageous soldier, but he was a beloved
son, a caring brother and a friend to many.
His life was special not just because of how he died, but also
because of how he lived. He was both the kid next door and a proud
soldier defending this Nation.
He was born on February 4, 1982 in Humble, Texas, and he graduated
from Cypress High School in 2001. After trying college for a little
while he decided it wasn't ready for him, and he joined the United
States Army. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment,
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, in Fort Stewart,
Georgia. He re-enlisted for three more years when his first tour of
duty was over.
His parents, Alex and Gwenn McIntosh, did an excellent job raising
such a fine son. His family described Scott as someone who loved
people. His mission in life was to meet and make friends with every
person he came in contact with. He shared his hearty laugh and always
had a smile to give. Scott always had a positive outlook on life. He
loved to hunt and fish in his spare time, but most of all he loved his
family, the Army, the country he lived in and his life.
His smile matched his fun-loving personality, which carried over into
everyday tasks, like work, with humorous results.
Eric McIntosh described his brother's comical attempt at being a golf
caddy. When Scott went to work, he said, ``it was like a scene right
out of the movie Caddy Shack. Scott barely showed up on time, still
tucking his shirt in his pants and tying his shoes, and he would grab
the golf bag and march down the fairway with all the clubs and balls
falling out all over the place.''
Scott would have fun with everything that he did and his joyful,
worry-free personality was contagious to those that knew him and
everybody around him. Not only did he love to laugh, but he truly cared
about others, especially his family in Texas.
Scott was always looking out for other people, and that's why he
joined the United States Army. He wanted to protect and serve those he
loved. And as the Good Book says in John 15:13, ``Greater love has no
man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.'' Scott's
life was a shining example of this greater love which he demonstrated
for family, friends and country.
Scott went off to war because he was a faithful son of America. Over
Easter weekend this past weekend I had the opportunity to be in Iraq
with our troops. And Mr. Speaker, there is no finer military in the
long history of warfare than our troops that are in Iraq that proudly
wear the uniform of the American fighting man. Scott McIntosh was among
those elite fighting forces.
Scott's wonderful life is a huge loss to those that were close to
him. His father said, ``My family is devastated by this loss, and it is
something that we will have to carry with us for the rest of our lives.
At the same time, however, we are bursting with pride for our son's
service to this country. We understand the sacrifices required to keep
this country free. And Scott was the best son anyone could ever have
asked for. I will love and cherish him for the rest of my days.''
Mr. Speaker, this is a photograph of Scott McIntosh. He was a real
person and he was proud to wear the uniform of the United States
soldier.
In a moving speech at his brother's funeral, Eric told hundreds of
friends and family that he loved his big brother. He thanked Scott for
being such a good friend, a good son, a great person and the best
brother anybody could ever have.
In a final act of sacrifice for others, his family has established
the Scott McIntosh Memorial Fund. In the attack that took Scott's life,
four other soldiers were also killed. Three of them were married and
had small children. And the purpose of the fund will be to raise money
for those kids who lost their fathers that were soldiers in Iraq. Even
in death, the eternal spirit of Scott's love and care for others will
continue.
We do not forget, as a Nation, Corporal Scott A. McIntosh and all
those who sacrificed their lives on the altar of freedom. Scott's
memory will live on in the hearts and minds of friends and family,
while his life will always be an inspiration to Americans.
We can honor his sacrifice by following his example, to live life to
the fullest and to take care of those people around us.
In 1940, a reporter, right before the great World War II, made this
comment, he said, ``This nation will remain the land of the free only
so long as it is the home of the brave.''
Our country, Mr. Speaker, will long survive and live free because of
the likes of Scott McIntosh and his band of brothers.
And that's just the way it is.
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