[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 24 (Thursday, February 14, 2013)]
[House]
[Page H514]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    KYLE CARPENTER, AN AMERICAN HERO

  (Mr. WILSON of South Carolina asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, in February of 2009, 
Corporal Kyle Carpenter, a constituent and resident of Lexington, South 
Carolina, enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and went on to 
complete recruit training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot at Parris 
Island, South Carolina. A little over a year later, Corporal Carpenter 
was deployed to Marjah, Afghanistan, with his unit to carry out his 
service and protect our families in Operation Enduring Freedom.
  On November 21, 2010, Corporal Carpenter suffered devastating 
injuries when an enemy hand grenade exploded while he was on post. 
Because of his heroic actions, Corporal Carpenter potentially saved the 
lives of countless others and has been decorated with a Purple Heart 
and awarded the Combat Action Ribbon.
  I have had the privilege of visiting with Kyle, his mother, Robin, 
and his father, Jim. Throughout his recovery with the dedicated staff 
at Walter Reed in Bethesda, Kyle has served as a testament to hard work 
and valor. Today, Kyle is an intern serving with Chairman Jeff Miller 
of the Veterans' Affairs Committee.
  I have no doubt that because of Corporal Carpenter's service, 
American families are more secure. I want to thank Kyle and the 
Carpenter family for your dedication to our Nation.
  In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget 
September the 11th in the global war on terrorism.

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