[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 137 (Friday, October 19, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1711]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       DEDICATION OF WAR MEMORIAL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. FRANK R. WOLF

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 19, 2012

  Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, on October 13, I attended an event in 
Leesburg, Virginia dedicating a war memorial to four soldiers who gave 
their lives in service to their country.
  The event would not have been possible without the valuable 
contributions of event organizer Ben Lawrence, Boy Scout Troop 1910 in 
Lucketts, Virginia, the Parkview High School Band, the 116th Infantry 
Brigade of the Virginia Army National Guard, the Veterans of Foreign 
Wars Post 1177, American Legion Post 34, the Loudoun County Sheriff's 
office, and Scott Warner, owner of the Downtown Saloon.
  I have included the full remarks from Colonel John Epperly, commander 
of the 116th Infantry Brigade, that properly honors the soldiers and 
Marine honored on the memorial.

       Colonel Eppersly: Congressman Wolf, General Mills, Admiral 
     Kemp, General Forsythe, Honorable Members of the Virginia 
     Legislature, the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors, the 
     Leesburg Town Council, Distinguished Guests and most 
     importantly, families of our Fallen Warriors...Good Morning. 
     On Behalf of the Virginia Army National Guard and the 116th 
     Infantry Brigade Combat Team, it is a profound honor to be 
     with you on this crisp autumn morning in Northern Virginia to 
     pay tribute to our brothers in arms. Loudoun County, Leesburg 
     and the surrounding towns and hamlets have provided Warriors 
     for the defense of the Commonwealth and Nation since the dawn 
     of our Republic.
       My own regiment was formed not far from here in 1742 to 
     defend what was then the frontier of the Americas. Since 
     then, men and women from towns like Leesburg, Reston, 
     Purcellville, Sterling, Lovettsville and many more have 
     served in every battle and campaign our nation has fought in. 
     Our generation is no different and today we gather to honor 
     the sacrifice of four extraordinary men who gave the last 
     full measure of devotion in defense of our nation. I'd like 
     to take a moment to introduce you to these men of uncommon 
     valor.
       Army Sergeant Scott L. Kirkpatrick fell while serving with 
     the 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment in the 2nd Brigade 
     Combat Team of the 3rd Infantry Division. Sergeant 
     Kirkpatrick and his fire team were assaulting a sniper 
     position in Arab Jabour, Iraq when he was lost. Scott was 
     doing what Infantry NCOs do best. He was leading his men from 
     the front in one of the most dangerous places in Iraq. But 
     who was he? Well Sergeant Kirkpatrick was many things. He was 
     a poet, a writer and a leader of men. Indeed, Sergeant 
     Kirkpatrick was a Renaissance Man who felt strongly that his 
     country needed him after the 9-11 attacks. When he fell, he 
     was on his second combat tour in Iraq and he had already 
     become what many aspire to be in this life. Sergeant 
     Kirkpatrick, the Warrior Poet, had earned the undying respect 
     of his fellow warriors, the gratitude of his community and 
     the love of his family. Today we honor a life well lived. 
     Sergeant Kirkpatrick's decorations include the Bronze Star, 
     the Purple Heart and the Combat Infantryman's Badge.
       Army Specialist Stephan L. Mace fell while serving with the 
     3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment in the 4th Brigade Combat 
     Team of the 4th Infantry Division. Specialist Mace and his 
     platoon were fighting a savage defensive action to hold 
     Combat Outpost Bostick in Kamdesh, Afghanistan when he was 
     lost. Stephan's outpost was attacked by over 200 Taliban 
     fighters and his unit was seriously outnumbered in what would 
     be one of the fiercest actions of the Afghan Campaign. 
     According to his company commander, Specialist Mace fought 
     valiantly from an exposed position with no regard for his own 
     life. Stephan would earn the Bronze Star for gallantry in 
     action that day. Who was this gallant Virginian? Stephan was 
     a multi-sport athlete. He played Football, Basketball, 
     Baseball and he loved Motor-Cross racing. He was a history 
     buff and no doubt had an acute understanding of his difficult 
     mission in the mountains of Afghanistan. Today we honor his 
     courage in a land so far from his Virginia home. Specialist 
     Mace's decorations include the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart 
     and the Combat Action Badge.
       Army Specialist Douglas J. Green fell while serving with 
     the 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment in the 1st Stryker 
     Brigade Combat Team of the 25th Infantry Division. Specialist 
     Green and his platoon were engaged by Taliban forces with 
     small arms fire and IEDs in Sperwan Ghar of Afghanistan's 
     Kandahar Province when he was lost. Specialist Green was on 
     his second combat tour, with his first being in Iraq. In the 
     cold and rugged mountains of Afghanistan, Doug was known for 
     his warmth and the gift of bringing humor and hope to his 
     brother infantrymen even in the toughest of times. Doug was 
     one of those truly inspirational people who could raise the 
     spirits and fortunes of others through the strength of his 
     personality and positive attitude. He is remembered for his 
     selflessness and care for others. Indeed, while stationed in 
     Alaska he volunteered many hours of his time with Big 
     Brothers and Big Sisters. There can be no doubt that his 
     selflessness and courage were on full display in Kandahar as 
     well. Today we honor a hero with a unique gift to lift the 
     spirits of those around him regardless of the circumstances. 
     Specialist Green's decorations include the Bronze Star with V 
     Device for Valor, the Purple Heart and the Combat 
     Infantryman's Badge.
       Marine Captain Michael M. Quin fell while serving with 
     Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 469 of the 3rd Marine 
     Air Wing. Captain Quin, a UH-1 Yankee Pilot was flying a 
     combat training mission in Yuma, Arizona one month prior to 
     an upcoming deployment to Afghanistan when he was lost in a 
     helicopter crash. Captain Quin was a 2006 graduate of the 
     U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. His loss reminds 
     us of the risks our warriors take in training before they 
     reach the combat zones they are destined for. Captain Quin 
     lived life with a zest few can muster. He was a notable 
     athlete playing soccer as well as track and field. His was 
     also a life of service rarely seen. Michael became an Eagle 
     Scout with Troop 29 and the Gazebo he built for his Eagle 
     Project still stands today at Arndt's Lutheran Church. Mike 
     was proud to be a U.S. Marine and wear the Gold Wings of a 
     Marine Aviator. This morning we honor a gallant life of 
     service from one of our Nations's best and brightest. Captain 
     Quin's awards include the Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal 
     and the Global War on Terror Service Medal.
       These four exceptional American warriors and patriots 
     remind us that it isn't how long we live, but how we live. 
     With this monument, we commit the valor of these four men to 
     immortality. Fifty or a hundred years from now on another 
     cool October morning, people will stop and read the names of:
       Sergeant Scott Kirkpatrick
       Specialist Stephan Mace
       Specialist Douglas Green
       Captain Michael Quin
       And their Legend will live on . . .
       Thank You and God Bless America.

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