[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 162 (Wednesday, October 26, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1940]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        RECOGNIZING MARINE CORPS CAPTAIN JASON ``DUKE'' DEQUENNE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. STEVE STIVERS

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 26, 2011

  Mr. STIVERS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in recognition of Marine Corps 
Capt. Jason ``Duke'' Dequenne, who on October 15, 2011, began a run 
like no other: 236.2 miles to celebrate the 236th birthday of the 
Marine Corps and, more importantly, to honor those Marines who gave the 
ultimate sacrifice while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom and 
Operation Enduring Freedom.
  On November 10, 1775, in Philadelphia, PA, the Marine Corps was 
founded under the commission of Samuel Nicholas, who promptly began 
recruiting from a local pub, Tun Tavern. Though it no longer exists 
today, Dequenne laced up his shoes and hit the pavement outside that 
very pub known now as the birthplace of the Marines for the first day 
of his history-making feat on October 15, 2011. In order to accomplish 
his 236.2 mile route, Dequenne will run a punishing 15 miles each day 
until finishing with the 36th Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, DC 
on October 30, 2011.
  However, the birthday of the Marine Corps is not the sole motivation 
behind his unfathomable trek; each mile will be dedicated to telling 
the story of a fallen soldier. Dequenne felt the individual stories and 
sacrifices were not being relayed effectively to the public, who often 
only see lists of names and ranks of fallen heroes. In attempts to 
change this, Capt. Dequenne will participate in speaking engagements 
along this Philadelphia to DC route after each run to tell the stories 
of Marines who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
  Each step of the 236.2 journey will not only embody the memory of a 
fallen Marine, but will raise money through the Marine Corps Law 
Enforcement Foundation. All proceeds will be donated to military and 
law enforcement families who have lost loved ones in the line of duty.
  Capt. Dequenne enlisted as a Marine in 1996, before completing Office 
Candidate School in 2005. He currently serves at The Basic School in 
Quantico, VA, as the assistant logistics officer.
  As a serving member of the Ohio Army National Guard and veteran of 
Operation Iraqi Freedom, I thank Capt. Jason Dequenne for honoring our 
fallen heroes and raising support and awareness for their families. One 
foot in front of the other, Oo-rah!

                          ____________________