[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 161 (Wednesday, November 13, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1652]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                       TRIBUTE TO JUSTIN ELDRIDGE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOE COURTNEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 13, 2013

  Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Justin Eldridge, a 
former Marine from Waterford, Connecticut whom we lost on October 28, 
2013.
  Born and raised in eastern Connecticut, Justin served in the Marine 
Corps from 2001 to 2008. During his time in the Marines, he served a 
tour in Afghanistan from 2004 to 2005. After being honorably discharged 
and medically retired in 2008, Justin went on to take an active part in 
his community--particularly in serving the needs of fellow veterans and 
their families. Justin was instrumental in the formation of the Thames 
River Marine Corps Detachment that formed in 2009. During the nearly 
four years that Justin served as the organization's Commandant he grew 
the membership to more than 40 people. The Detachment annually 
participated in Toys for Tots drive and in 2012 distributed more than 
2,000 toys to local children.
  Like so many of our veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, 
Justin struggled with traumatic brain injury that occurred during his 
Afghanistan deployment and post-traumatic stress disorder upon 
returning home. Justin's passing is a reminder that our nation must 
continue to do all it can to care for the men and women who have served 
our country and return home with wounds--both visible and invisible.
  I ask my colleagues to join with me in honoring Justin and his 
dedicated service to our nation, his community and his fellow veterans, 
and extending our thoughts and prayers to his family in this difficult 
time.

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