[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 146 (Thursday, November 15, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1763]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING THE SERVICE OF ARMY SPECIALIST ERIC HUNTER

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 15, 2012

  Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to an American hero in 
the truest sense of the word. This weekend, 24-year-old U.S. Army 
Specialist Eric Hunter returns home to Monroeville, Alabama for the 
first time since he sustained serious injuries from an improvised 
explosive device in Afghanistan.
  The day before his one-year wedding anniversary, Specialist Hunter 
was on patrol when he stepped on an IED. The May 31, 2012 blast took 
his right foot and eventually his right leg. He also suffered a 
shattered right wrist and left leg, as well as a broken forearm. The 
service and the sacrifice of this country's military personnel is both 
moving and inspiring. Specialist Hunter's dedication to his country is 
equally matched by his remarkable determination to recover from his 
wounds.
  For Specialist Hunter, the road to recovery has been a long one. He 
was transported to three different hospitals in five days before being 
flown to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, 
Maryland. During his recovery at Walter Reed, he was visited by 
President Obama and other notables, including singer Neil Diamond.
  It was also at Walter Reed that Specialist Hunter joined a special 
program that pairs famous musicians with wounded soldiers to assist 
their recovery. As a part of Musicorps, Specialist Hunter played his 
guitar with former Pink Floyd bassist Roger Waters and G.E. Smith, 
former lead guitarist of Hall & Oates and Bob Dylan's touring band.
  On November 8, 2012, Specialist Hunter took a seat on stage in the 
Beacon Theatre in New York City at the 6th Annual Stand Up for Heroes 
benefit playing alongside fellow wounded warriors and music legends 
Waters, Smith and Bruce Springsteen. The Annual Stand Up for Heroes 
event, sponsored by the Bob Woodruff Foundation, has so far raised over 
$12 million for wounded soldiers.
  In September 2012, I was honored to join Specialist Hunter, his wife, 
Kenna, and their children Kensley and Jayce for breakfast in the U.S. 
Capitol, where I personally thanked him for his service to our country. 
Specialist Hunter also served a 2010-2011 tour in Iraq before his 
recent posting in Afghanistan.
  On behalf of the people of Alabama and the United States, I offer 
deep gratitude to Specialist Hunter for both his sacrifices for the 
security of America and his example to fellow wounded warriors as they 
return to their families and communities to re-enter civilian life. We 
are proud to welcome him home to Alabama.

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