[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 71 (Monday, May 20, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E704]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING PFC CODY TOWSE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JASON CHAFFETZ

                                of utah

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 20, 2013

  Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a dedicated soldier 
and American hero who died tragically while aiding a fellow soldier in 
Afghanistan. While responding to an injury from a roadside bomb, Army 
medic PFC Cody Towse was killed when a second roadside bomb detonated. 
Three other brave soldiers also lost their lives during the incident.
  Only 21 years old, PFC Towse had recently earned an Army Combat Medic 
Ribbon for saving another life under fire. His family was not surprised 
to learn he died in an act of service, treating the injuries of 
another. We honor his service and sacrifice to our safety and security.
  Known as the ``Candy Doctor'' by Afghan children in the Kandahar 
region, PFC Towse had earned a reputation for spreading joy in the form 
of candy. When he turned 21 on May 8, he asked his family to send over 
more candy for him to share.
  A Class of 2010 graduate of Utah's Salem High School, Towse loved to 
help people, choosing to become an EMT the day he turned 18. He later 
became a firefighter, but ultimately joined the military, where he felt 
he could use his training and skills to save lives. He did save lives, 
even at the cost of losing his own. He dreamed of one day becoming a 
LifeFlight medic. Towse carried on a proud and honorable tradition as 
he comes from a military family dating back to World War II.
  We honor the tremendous personal sacrifice of PFC Towse's family. He 
leaves behind his parents, Jim and Jamie Towse, two brothers, 20-year-
old Will and 14-year-old Christian, and a sister Callan who is 17. The 
Towse family has endured a terrible tragedy and made an extraordinary 
sacrifice on behalf of all Americans and we are forever thankful.
  Today, I ask all Members of Congress to join me as we honor the life 
and legacy of Army PFC Andy Towse, as well as each man and woman in our 
Armed Services. They put themselves in harm's way and toil daily to 
hold back the forces of terrorism. I also ask that we recognize the 
sacrifice and burdens these families bear on behalf of each of us. We 
owe a deep debt of gratitude to the many men and women who have given 
their lives to preserve our freedom.

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