[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 62 (Friday, April 27, 2012)]
[House]
[Page H2214]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         HONORING U.S. ARMY PRIVATE FIRST CLASS MICHAEL METCALF

  (Mr. DEUTCH asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, when the doorbell rang at 5 a.m., Kimberly 
Metcalf of Boynton Beach, Florida, knew her worst fear had come true. 
Her only child, 22-year-old Michael Metcalf, U.S. Army private first 
class, died in Afghanistan on Sunday following an IED attack. Michael 
was killed while at the wheel of his armored vehicle that was going to 
rescue other soldiers that had been struck by a roadside bomb. 
Described by his mother as tough and strong, with a sensitive side, 
that he performed this one last act of bravery came as no surprise to 
all who knew him.
  Michael attended Park Vista High School and graduated from St. John's 
Northwestern Military Academy. He loved surfing, skim-boarding, and 
spending time by the water.
  On Monday, Michael's friends and family gathered at the inlet to 
light candles on his surfboard. Winds blew out all but one. As his 
friends said, The candle wouldn't go out. He wanted to hang out with us 
all night.
  We will never forget Michael Metcalf's sacrifice, and our Nation is 
forever grateful for his service.

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