[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 25 (Wednesday, February 16, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E245]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO CPL. JOSEPH C. WHITEHEAD

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 16, 2011

  Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, there is no greater sacrifice one can make 
for his country than to lay down his life in defense of our freedom. It 
is with a heavy heart that I inform this House that one of our own from 
South Alabama, Cpl. Joseph C. Whitehead, recently lost his life in the 
service of America.
  Cpl. Whitehead, a native of Axis, Alabama, was a 2007 graduate of 
Satsuma High School where he was a talented and versatile player. Upon 
graduation, he joined the United States Marine Corps, where he was 
assigned to the 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division II 
Marine Expeditionary Force based in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
  Last month, Cpl. Whitehead was conducting combat operations with his 
fellow Marines in Afghanistan's Helmand province when he encountered an 
improvised explosive device. According to reports, Cpl. Whitehead was 
performing a sweep when the IED took his life.
  Cpl. Joe Whitehead was not only the embodiment of the Marine, tough 
and devoted to his comrades and his country, he was known to his family 
and friends as ``always smiling and loved everyone and everyone loved 
him.''
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of this House, on behalf of a grateful nation 
and on behalf of the people of Alabama, I wish to extend heartfelt 
condolences and support to the family of Cpl. Joe Whitehead including 
his mother, Melanie Miller; fathers Mark Goodhue and Keith Miller; 
sister, Jessica Whitehead; brothers Destin Goodhue and Jeffrey Miller; 
grandparents Roy and Wanda Patrick, Willie Whitehead and Joan Sasser, 
Jackie Norwood, Devon and Lucille Miller; great grandparents Don and 
Barbara Johnson; and, his entire family and friends. You are all in our 
thoughts and prayers.

                          ____________________