[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 51 (Friday, April 8, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E672]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 PAYING TRIBUTE TO SERGEANT EDDIE RYAN

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MAURICE D. HINCHEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 8, 2011

  Mr. HINCHEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Sergeant 
Edward (Eddie) Ryan, on the occasion of his retirement from the United 
States Marine Corps. Sergeant Ryan is an American hero. Eddie, as I 
have come to know him, personifies the core principles of the Marine 
Corps--honor, integrity and courage in the face of adversity. In fact, 
Sergeant Ryan has more courage than I can express through words.
  Eddie Ryan started thinking about being a Marine when he was twelve 
years old. After the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, while he 
was still a senior in high school, his desire to be a Marine became the 
driving force in his life. Eddie joined the Marines immediately after 
graduating high school in June 2002. Within a month, he was undergoing 
basic training, and by September he had begun his first tour of duty in 
Iraq. After his first tour ended, Eddie came home and began training to 
be a Marine sniper. He went on to graduate third in his class and soon 
became a member of Reaper 6, a team of snipers assigned to the 3rd 
Battalion, 2nd Marine Division. In March 2005, Eddie began his second 
deployment to Iraq and, only weeks after arriving in that country, 
tragedy struck. On April 13, 2005, while positioned on a rooftop in 
Husaybah, the team came under heavy fire. Sergeant Ryan was struck by 
two rounds and gravely wounded. His fellow Marines rushed to his side 
and performed life saving first aid.
  When the Ryan family was notified of their son's life threatening 
injuries, they flew to his side in Germany only to be told that it 
would be a miracle if Eddie survived, let alone talk or remember his 
family. Eddie proved them all wrong. He not only enjoys his memories 
but looks forward to creating new ones. He embraces new challenges, 
like ``running'' the Marine Corps Marathon, with anticipation. Angela 
Ryan calls her son the ``Miracle Marine'' and we all understand why. 
Eddie not only survived, but for the last five years has worked with 
determination to be the best he could be--a decorated Marine who still 
understands honor and integrity; a Marine who has faced adversity and 
come out a winner.
  Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to recognize the outstanding 
achievements of Sergeant Eddie Ryan. His courage and determination are 
an inspiration to us all. The Marine Corps was fortunate to have him 
among their ranks and we are fortunate to have him in our community. 
Semper Fi Sergeant Ryan, Semper Fi.

                          ____________________