[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 81 (Friday, June 1, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E952-E953]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 SGT. WADE DANIEL WILSON, TEXAS WARRIOR

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, June 1, 2012

  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to one of 
Texas' native sons who served his country honorably in support of 
Operation Enduring Freedom. I was deeply saddened to learn that 
Sergeant Wade Daniel Wilson of Leona, Texas was killed by enemy action 
in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan on May 11, 2012.
  Wade Wilson was one man whose life made a difference at a very young 
age. He personified the core values of the United States Marine Corps: 
honor, courage, and commitment.
  Wade grew up in Leona, a small city near Centerville, Texas. He was a 
graduate of Centerville High School, and he was known to have a heart 
of a champion; whether on the football field or in the classroom.
  With his faith in God and country, at age 17, Wade enlisted in the 
United States Marine Corps. He served in the 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine 
Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp 
Pendleton, California. On his second tour of duty, Wade understood that 
the nation was at war, yet he chose to charge headlong into battle for 
a second time. There are not many of us who would be willing to 
volunteer to leap into the lion's den of Afghanistan where the cowardly 
enemy hides in caves. It says something special about the quality of 
this American fighting man that he would boldly face those who kill in 
the name of religion.
  On Friday, May 11, 2012, Sergeant Wade Wilson was killed while 
conducting a combat operation in Afghanistan. He was just 22 years of 
age. As a soldier in Afghanistan fighting the forces of the Taliban, 
Wade defended freedom. He defended it for his mother, Cindy Lee; his 
stepfather, Ward; his father, Rusty; his stepmother Tammy, his three 
brothers, his sister, his three step-sisters; and all of their 
families. He defended freedom for all of us. Sergeant Wade Wilson was a 
true soldier. We all owe a debt that can never be repaid to Sergeant 
Wilson's sacrifice, and today and tomorrow, we will mourn with his 
family and friends for the tragic loss of their son, brother, friend, 
citizen, soldier and hero.
  My friend, Mayor Steve Stephens of Dayton, Texas, has a farmhouse in 
Leona, Texas. His long time neighbors are Ward and Cindy Lee 
Easterling, Sergeant Wade Wilson's step-father and mother. As a teen, 
Wade worked for Mayor Stephens on his farm. Mayor Stephens said on May 
18, 2012, hundreds of residents lined the streets of Leona and 
Centerville, paying tribute to the family of this patriot. Many of 
those on the streets carried flags and yellow ribbons. Others held 
banners saying, ``Greater love hath no man than one who gives his life 
for a friend'' John 15:13. Patriotism is alive and well in Texas. And, 
Sergeant Wilson's commitment to his country is one reason why.
  Wade's funeral on Saturday, May 19, 2012, happened to fall on Armed 
Services Day. Held in Centerville High School's auditorium, hundreds of 
supporters from Leon County came out to mourn the loss of America's 
son, Wade Wilson, and all those who came before him. We know that 
freedom is not free, and we thank this fearless Marine for dedicating 
his life to America.
  Our young people who go to the valley of the gun and the desert of 
the sun are relentless, remarkable characters. They go where others 
fear to tread and where the faint-hearted are not found. These warriors 
represent the best of our nation. They are the sons of liberty and the 
daughters of democracy. These few, these noble few, are American 
warriors who take care of the rest of us.
  Sergeant Wade Wilson, your tour of duty has been honorably concluded.
  And that's just the way it is.

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