[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 34 (Tuesday, March 8, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E430]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      IN RECOGNITION OF JOE BURNS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JACKIE SPEIER-

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 8, 2011

  Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Joe Burns, a U.S. Navy 
Hospital Corpsman from San Bruno who will celebrate his 20th birthday 
on March 5, 2011. This is an extraordinary birthday for Joe, not only 
because he is entering the second decade of his life, but because it's 
a miracle that he is alive.
  Joe's job was to provide medical care for Marines with Delta Company, 
1st Battalion, 1st Marine Division in Afghanistan. On February 17, 2011 
he and three Marines were in an armored vehicle in Helmand Province, 
when they struck an Improvised Explosive Device. The IED literally blew 
up underneath Joe's feet. The vehicle went up in the air and was 
propelled forward. Joe broke five bones in his heel and suffered a 
concussion. One Marine also suffered a heel injury, the other two were 
not hurt.
  It is absolutely miraculous that everyone survived the ambush. The 
vehicle was Mine Resistant Ambush Protected, or MRAP. Joe's mother Lori 
Burns is convinced that it was that technology that saved her son's 
life. She recalls how she first learned about the incident. The 
hospital corpsman treating Joe handed him a phone and he said: ``Mom, 
I'm ok, I broke my heel, they blew me up. I got to fly in a helo and I 
think I'm getting a Purple Heart.''
  Joe was treated in hospitals in Afghanistan, Germany and San Diego 
and received a cast on his foot in each place. This young man did not 
want to leave Afghanistan; he wanted to continue serving his country 
despite his injury. I want to thank Joe for his service. He represents 
the courage and bravery of our troops.
  Joe grew up in San Bruno, California and went to St. Roberts 
Elementary School. After he graduated from Burlingame High School in 
June 2009, he was enlisted in the Navy in October of the same year.
  On January 1, 2011, Joe was deployed on his first tour to 
Afghanistan--not exactly what he expected. When you enlist in the Navy, 
his mother quotes Joe as saying, you think you are going to be on 
water, not sand. It was on day 47 of his deployment that the IED blew 
up underneath him and sent him back home.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask this body to rise with me to celebrate the life 
and 20th birthday of Joe Burns on this day, March 5, 2011.

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