[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 152 (Wednesday, October 12, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1821-E1822]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           GREATER NEW BEDFORD COMMUNITY HONORS NATE MEDEIROS

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                           HON. BARNEY FRANK

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 12, 2011

  Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, there is no way that those 
of us who have stayed at home can discharge the debt we owe to the men 
and women who put their lives and safety at risk as members of the 
Armed Services, but it is important that we do what we can to show that 
we understand how deep that debt is. On October 23, I will have the 
privilege of participating in an effort to do that in the town of 
Fairhaven, Massachusetts, where the Greater New Bedford Community will 
gather to honor Army Pfc. Nathan Medeiros. Pfc. Medeiros is recovering 
from serious shrapnel and burn wounds he sustained from a roadside bomb 
last month in Afghanistan. His friends and neighbors will be gathering 
to show how deeply they honor his courage and appreciate his sacrifice.

[[Page E1822]]

  Mr. Speaker, the wounds from which Nate Medeiros is recovering remind 
us all that while war is sometimes necessary in national self defense, 
it is always terrible in the toll it takes of our best and bravest. I 
am honored to be able to participate in this community effort to show 
Nate Medeiros how deeply we feel the debt to him, and Mr. Speaker, as 
an example that the nation should note, I ask that the article from the 
New Bedford Standard Times from October 11 about this event be printed 
here.

  Event Scheduled To Honor New Bedford Soldier Wounded in Afghanistan

                            (By Brian Fraga)

       New Bedford.--An event will be held later this month to 
     honor Army Pfc. Nathan Medeiros, a New Bedford native 
     recovering from shrapnel and burn wounds he sustained from a 
     roadside bomb in Afghanistan last month.
       ``Honoring Our Own: Nate Medeiros'' is scheduled for Oct. 
     23, from 3-7 p.m., at the Seaport Inn in Fairhaven. Due to 
     military regulations, the event is not a benefit, and there 
     will be no admission charge.
       ``After all, this will be the true epitome and best way to 
     honor Nate for his heroic efforts,'' said Carl Pires, a 
     friend of Medeiros's family who is coordinating the event, 
     and will serve as its emcee.
       The night will also feature performances by local musicians 
     and artists such as poet Charles Perry and singers Tiny 
     Tavares, Candida Rose, Glenn ``G-Money'' Enos, Navelle 
     ``Chops'' Turner and Irving Washington III, former lead 
     singer of the R&B group Portrait.
       New Bedford Mayor Scott W. Lang, State Sen. Mark C.W. 
     Montigny, D-New Bedford, and U.S. Rep. Barney Frank are also 
     scheduled to be on hand to speak and present resolutions to 
     Medeiros and his family, Pires said.
       On Sept. 14, Medeiros, 28, an infantry machine-gunner 
     assigned to the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team of the 25th 
     Infantry Division, was on patrol in Afghanistan, clearing 
     roadside bombs from an area known as ``IED Alley.''
       Medeiros said he had just noticed two Afghan men crouching 
     at a distance, and was pointing out their location to his 
     fellow soldiers when a roadside bomb detonated less than 2 
     feet from where he was standing.
       ``I turned back around and just as I do this, I'm blown 
     into the air and back onto my side,'' said Medeiros, who has 
     undergone several surgeries to remove shrapnel and debris 
     from his legs.
       Medeiros, a graduate of New Bedford High School's night 
     program, also sustained lacerations to his face and neck, 
     swelling in his hands and partial hearing loss.
       He arrived home in New Bedford last week on leave, and will 
     be present for the event.
       ``It's great to have him home,'' said Medeiros' mother, 
     Cherele Fortes, who said her son surprised them in coming 
     home.
       ``He looks good. He's got some scars, some bruising, but he 
     is in great spirits. He is an amazing kid. God still has 
     plans for him. That's why he's still with us,'' Fortes said.

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