[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 129 (Friday, September 21, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1637]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    RECOGNIZING THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF STAFF SERGEANT ANTONIO RIVERA

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JIM GERLACH

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 21, 2012

  Mr. GERLACH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Staff Sergeant 
Antonio Rivera of the Pennsylvania National Guard and resident of 
Pottstown, Montgomery County on the occasion of being selected as the 
2012 Liberty USO Service Member of the Year (Army).
  SSG Rivera enlisted in the Pennsylvania National Guard on October 18, 
2000 as a 14M stinger missile operator and joined the ranks of Charlie 
Company 213 ADA. In 2006, SSG Rivera was ordered to Iraq in support of 
Operation Iraqi Freedom. After six months of training, he was deployed 
as a 31B military police officer and served as a team leader providing 
convoy security. SSG Rivera earned a Combat Action Badge when an IED 
detonated beneath his vehicle in his first month in country.
  In 2008, SSG Rivera transitioned into a 21B Combat Engineer Company 
and in 2009 achieved his current rank before being deployed for a 
second time in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. While serving on 
this deployment, SSG Rivera earned Battalion Soldier of the Quarter. On 
August 10, 2010, SSG Rivera earned the Purple Heart after his vehicle 
was struck by an IED during a routine clearance operation. Although he 
suffered shrapnel wounds to his neck, SSG Rivera stayed focused on 
taking care of his platoon and teammates.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me today in recognizing 
Staff Sergeant Antonio Rivera of the Pennsylvania National Guard on the 
occasion of being selected as the 2012 Liberty USO Service Member of 
the Year (Army) and for his great service to the United States of 
America.

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