[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 115 (Tuesday, July 31, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1358]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING ARMY STAFF SERGEANT MATTHEW J. WEST AND MARINE SERGEANT DAVID 
                                 P. DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DAN BENISHEK

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 31, 2012

  Mr. BENISHEK. Mr. Speaker, Sunday, July 29, 2012, at 2:00 p.m., the 
citizens of Gaylord, Michigan, gathered to rededicate their Fallen 
Heroes Memorial and pay tribute to the lives of two service members who 
lost their lives in service to their country during Operation Enduring 
Freedom in Afghanistan.
   Army Staff Sergeant (SSG) Matthew J. West grew up in Gaylord, 
Michigan, and graduated from Gaylord High School in 1992. He returned 
to Gaylord after graduating from Northern Michigan University in 1997, 
and enlisted in the Army in June of 2004.
   SSG West completed three tours in support of Operation Enduring 
Freedom, and was highly decorated. His honors included the Bronze Star, 
the Joint Service Commendation Medal, two Army Commendation Medals, 
Meritorious Unit Citation, two Army Good Conduct Medals, National 
Defense Service Medal, two Afghanistan Campaign Medals, Iraq Campaign 
Medal with Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, 
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer 
Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, two Overseas 
Service Ribbons, NATO Medal, Combat Action Badge and the Senior 
Explosive Ordnance Disposal Badge.
   SSG West died on August 30, 2010, in the Arghandab River Valley, 
Afghanistan. SSG West was killed by an improvised explosive device, 
along with four other soldiers from his unit. He served with the 71st 
Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group, tasked with locating and eliminating 
bomb threats.
   SSG West was laid to rest, with full military honors, in Arlington 
National Cemetery. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn, their three 
young children, sons Tyler and Joseph, and daughter Annaliese, as well 
as a large extended family.
   Marine Staff Sergeant (SSgt) David P. Day was born in Englewood, 
Colorado, on November 13, 1984, and grew up in Gaylord, Michigan. A 
2003 graduate of Gaylord High School, he excelled in hockey and served 
as co-captain for the Otsego County Recreational Hockey Team. SSgt Day 
married Nicole Makins on October 6, 2009. SSgt Day enlisted in the 
Marine Corps immediately following high school and was a seven-year 
veteran, serving two tours in Iraq and one in Afghanistan. He was an 
Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Technician for the elite Marine Force 
Recon. SSgt Day died on April 24, 2011, while conducting combat 
operations in Badghis Province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 2nd 
Marine Special Operations Battalion, Marine Special Operations 
Regiment, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, Camp 
Lejeune, NC.
   SSgt David P. Day's Awards and Decorations include the Bronze Star 
and Combat ``V'' for Valor (posthumously), Purple Heart Medal 
(posthumously), the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with the V 
device, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Gold Star, the 
Combat Action Ribbon, the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, the National 
Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Iraq 
Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terror Service Medal, the NATO 
Service Medal, Parachutist (Jump) Wings, Expert Marksmanship Badge and 
EOD Badge.
   SSgt Day is survived by his wife, Nicole, his parents Don and Kathy; 
sister, Samantha Day; grandparents, Janice and Pirie Benson of Gaylord 
and Grace Day of Missouri; mother and father-in-law, Robert and 
Patricia Makins; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
   These men were combat hardened, professional soldiers. They 
willingly enlisted in the United States Armed Forces in order to defend 
their country. They both became experts in explosive ordnance disposal 
despite the elevated risks associated with the job. SSG West and SSgt 
Day made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom and have earned 
the lasting gratitude of this community and of our nation.
   ``He which hath no stomach to this fight let him depart. But we in 
it shall be remembered. We few, we happy few, we band of brothers!! For 
he today, that sheds his blood with me, shall always be my brother.''--
William Shakespeare

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