[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 72 (Thursday, May 13, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H3465-H3466]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING CAPTAIN BRANDON BARRETT

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Burton) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, one of the things that really 
concerns me about war is we lose so many fine young men and women in 
conflict, in the combat area. One of the finest young men in my 
district from Marion, Indiana, Captain Brandon Aaron Barrett, who was 
27 years old, died Wednesday, May 5, while serving in Afghanistan.
  Brandon was born January 21, 1983, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. As a 
child, Brandon was friendly and energetic, making friends with everyone 
he came in contact with. He played sports, and he dreamed of serving in 
the United States military. He wanted to be a marine.
  After graduating from Marion High School in 2001, he went to the 
United States Naval Academy and he was very proud of that. He graduated 
from there in 2006. Upon graduation, Brandon was assigned to the 1st 
Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine 
Expeditionary Force at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Brandon deployed 
twice to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, once

[[Page H3466]]

from March to October of 2008 and then again in December of 2009.
  During Captain Barrett's distinguished career, he received multiple 
awards for his service. The awards that he received include the Navy 
and Marine Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global 
War on Terrorism Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, and the 
NATO International Security Assistance Force Medal. He has also 
recently been posthumously promoted from first lieutenant to the rank 
of captain. His deep commitment to the United States Marine Corps and 
the men he led was insurmountable.
  Brandon ``Bull'' Barrett will be remembered in Marion, Indiana, as a 
gifted athlete, avid outdoorsman, and a natural born leader. Those who 
knew him best will remember him for not only the loyalty and 
perseverance that served him so well in the Marine Corps, but also his 
unwavering dedication to the friendships of his youth in Marion. 
Throughout his life, Brandon kept the city of Marion close to his 
heart, coming home on nearly every leave, and always greeting everyone 
he met with a smile.
  To the citizens of the State of Indiana, his fellow marines, and the 
countless others he touched, Brandon will forever be remembered as a 
hero. Our thoughts, prayers, and deepest condolences go out to his 
mother, Cindy; his father, Brett; his brother, Brock; and his sisters, 
Ashley and Taylor.
  Mr. Speaker, one of things that we never really think about is the 
impact it has on other people in the Corps or in the Army or Navy when 
they lose one of their beloved fighting buddies. His captain, his 
commanding officer said in an article, ``It's surreal.'' He said, ``I 
keep expecting him to walk around the corner, big smile on his face.'' 
They can't believe he is gone. He said that everyone who knew him knew 
he was a leader, an officer, and a great man, and he is sorely missed.
  I would like to say once again to his family, our condolences, our 
deepest condolences go out to you. Everyone in Indiana and throughout 
the country is very happy that he served this country with such great 
distinction.

         [From The Chronicle-Tribune, Marion, IN, May 12, 2010]

                         Brandon Aaron Barrett

                       Jan. 21, 1983-May 5, 2010

       Brandon Aaron Barrett, 27, died on Wednesday, May 5, 2010, 
     serving his country in Afghanistan. He has recently been 
     posthumously promoted from the rank of first lieutenant to 
     captain by the United States Marine Corps.
       Barrett was born Jan. 21, 1983 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. 
     He spent his childhood befriending everyone he met, playing 
     sports, and dreaming of becoming a soldier for the United 
     States military.
       Brandon graduated from Marion High School in 2001, and he 
     was proudly accepted into the United States Naval Academy at 
     Annapolis, Maryland. He graduated in 2006, joined the Marine 
     Corps, and was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant on 
     May 26, 2008. Barrett was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 6th 
     Marine Regiment; 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary 
     Force at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. He deployed to 
     Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom from 
     March to October 2008 and again in December 2009.
       Barrett's awards include the Navy and Marine Corps 
     Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War 
     on Terrorism Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal and 
     NATO International Security Assistance Force Medal.
       Brandon ``Bull'' Barrett was an outstanding athlete, an 
     avid outdoorsman and a natural leader. He confronted every 
     task with enthusiasm and accepted each responsibility with 
     dignity. His passionate commitment to the Marine Corps and to 
     his troops was insurmountable. Those who knew him will 
     remember his loyalty and his dedication to friendship most of 
     all. His eyes held no prejudice, and he greeted everyone with 
     a smile. Brandon kept the city of Marion, Indiana closest to 
     his heart, returning home on nearly every leave. To its 
     citizens and to the countless numbers of lives that he 
     touched, Brandon Barrett will forever be remembered as a 
     hero.
       He is survived by his mother, Cindy Barrett; his father, 
     Brett Barrett; his sisters, Ashley and Taylor Barrett; his 
     brother, Brock Barrett; and his grandmother, Carmen Johnson. 
     Additional survivors include several aunts, uncles and 
     cousins.
       Visitation will be held on Friday, May 14, 2010 from 4 p.m. 
     to 8 p.m. in the Marion High School Bill Green Athletic 
     Arena, 750 W. 26th Street, Marion, IN 46953.
       A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 
     15, 2010, also at the MHS Bill Green Athletic Arena. A burial 
     service will follow at Gardens of Memory, 11201 S. Marion Rd. 
     35, Marion, IN 46952.
       In lieu of flowers, donations can be made for those wishing 
     to contribute to a memorial and scholarship fund in Brandon's 
     name. Please send contributions to STAR Wealth Management, 
     Capt. Brandon A. Barrett Memorial Fund, 3610 River Crossing 
     Parkway--Suite 190, Indianapolis, IN 46240.
       Local arrangements are being handled by Needham-Storey-
     Wampner Funeral Service, North Chapel, 1341 N. Baldwin 
     Avenue, Marion, IN.
       Barrett was killed in Afghanistan a week ago today, 60 days 
     before he was scheduled to return home from his tour in 
     combat.
       His sister, Ashley Barrett, said she and her family are 
     looking forward to allowing her brother to be at peace by 
     finally laying his body to rest.
       More details regarding his killing were reported this week 
     by The Sunday Times, of London.
       ``That article was very upsetting to read,'' Ashley Barrett 
     said.
       She said the information reported in the British newspaper 
     was more than what the family received in the casualty report 
     provided by the U.S. Marine Corps.
       According to the article, under the headline, ``Swift and 
     bloody: the Taliban's revenge,'' a Taliban gunman shot 
     Barrett while he was fortifying his post in the Helmand town 
     of Marjah. Barrett and Lance Corporal Marcus Lounello, 21, 
     did not have their flak jackets on because of the heat that 
     day. The Times article said Barrett was shot in the chest as 
     he stood between two armored vehicles and died before a 
     medical team could reach him, and Lounello was also shot and 
     suffered extreme internal injuries: Lounello is expected to 
     recover.
       ``It's surreal'' Captain Tony Zinni, Barrett's commanding 
     officer in the 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, told the 
     Times on Saturday. ``I keep expecting him to walk around the 
     corner, big smile on his face.''
       Barett had been well known in Marjah, according to the 
     article. He guarded a post that checked traffic coming in and 
     out of the town that was once a Taliban stronghold. The city 
     was taken over by the Marines and their Afghan allies in 
     February. Zinni told the Times that it was generally a boring 
     duty, but Barrett was good about it.
       According to the article, Barrett would visit the 
     neighborhood elders in Marjah, and could even partially speak 
     their language--Pashto.
       Zinni told the Times he thinks the lieutenant was targeted 
     and it makes him angry.
       ``Everyone in the block knew him, knew he was the 
     officer,'' the captain said of Barrett.
       Barrett was the first death in Marjah for the battalion's 
     weapons company.
       Barrett's friend, Andrew Morrell of Marion, said the 
     efforts Barrett made to know the elders in Marjah and learn 
     their language was part of his character:
       ``The main reason why Jesus affected the lives of so many 
     people in his ministry in Galilee is because he dwelt amongst 
     the people. This is the exact same reason why Brandon made 
     such an impact among friends, family, but even more, 
     strangers,'' wrote Morrell, who, communicated by e-mail while 
     in Israel.

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