[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 100 (Friday, June 29, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1187]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    IN TRIBUTE TO CAPTAIN RYAN RAWL

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOE WILSON

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 29, 2012

  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, on Wednesday, June 20, 
2012, Captain Ryan Rawl, of Lexington, South Carolina, was killed in 
action while serving in the South Carolina Army National Guard in 
Afghanistan. Captain Rawl is a graduate of Lexington High School in 
2000. After graduating from high school, Captain Rawl furthered his 
education and graduated from The Citadel in 2004 with a major in 
Criminal Justice before joining the South Carolina National Guard in 
2006. While in college, Captain Rawl received an award for his 
outstanding service on the school's Honor Court and enjoyed leading 
underclassmen in Bible study. Captain Rawl joined the National Guard in 
2006. Since his active duty deployment, Captain Rawl has received 
numerous decorations and honors including The Bronze Star, The Purple 
Heart, The Combat Action Badge, The South Carolina Medal of Valor, and 
The South Carolina Meritorious Service Medal.
  We are able to enjoy our freedoms due to the sacrifices of the brave 
men and women serving in our Armed Forces. Captain Rawl paid the 
ultimate sacrifice dedicating his life protecting American families and 
all of the freedoms we hold so dear.
  My thoughts and prayers are with wife, Katherine, and their two young 
children, Callie and Caleb, as well as his parents Stanley and Diane 
Rawl. As a Guard veteran myself with four sons currently serving in the 
military, I particularly appreciate your extraordinary military family. 
Freedom is not free.

                          ____________________