[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 144 (Thursday, September 11, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1765]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING SERGEANT BRYAN J. TUTTEN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOHN L. MICA

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 11, 2008

  Mr. MICA. Madam Speaker, I rise today, September 11, 2008, to once 
again honor and pay tribute to Sergeant Bryan J. Tutten, 33, who, like 
many other brave Americans, joined the military following the terrorist 
attacks on our homeland 7 years ago. Sergeant Tutten died in service to 
our country on Christmas Day, December 25, 2007, fighting insurgents on 
his second tour of duty in Iraq.
  On Saturday, September 13, 2008, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 
2391 in St. Augustine, Florida, will hold a special ceremony to honor 
the life and service of Sergeant Tutten. The Post will be renamed the 
Veterans of Foreign Wars Bryan Tutten Memorial Post 2391.
  On Tuesday, January 15, 2007, I included in the Congressional Record 
the following remarks and today I want to again honor Sergeant Tutten's 
life by reflecting on his service to the United States.

       Prior to joining the Army, Sgt. Tutten, born in St. 
     Augustine, Florida, graduated from St. Augustine High School 
     and attended St. Johns River Community College. He was also a 
     member of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in St. 
     Augustine.
       We should all remember Sgt. Tutten's courage and his 
     ultimate sacrifice for our nation. The freedom and liberty we 
     enjoy and peace in the world for others for which he fought 
     are part of the great legacy that Sgt. Tutten leaves behind. 
     He was laid to rest at San Lorenzo Cemetery in St. Augustine, 
     Florida on January 4, 2008.
       After the devastating events of September 11, 2001, Sgt. 
     Tutten enrolled in the Army. His family remembers him as an 
     avid sportsman who loved to fish and cook, and how he enjoyed 
     the time he had playing with his daughter, Catherine. He was 
     assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division based in Fort Bragg, 
     North Carolina which was deployed to Iraq.
       With the passing of Sgt. Tutten, America has lost an 
     outstanding citizen and a shining example of service to our 
     nation. He will be remembered as a patriotic American, a 
     pillar of our community and a compassionate husband and a 
     loving father.
       To his wife Constandina, his daughter Catherine, his son 
     Gareth, his mother Ms. Sylvia Smallwood and his loving family 
     and friends, we offer our deepest sympathy.
       Madam Speaker, it is my privilege to recognize Sgt. Bryan 
     J. Tutten's contributions and to ask all Members of the U.S. 
     House of Representatives of the 110th Congress to join me in 
     recognizing his service in our nation's Armed Forces and 
     remembering a great American hero.




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