[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 174 (Tuesday, December 10, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1822-E1823]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      RECOGNIZING SERGEANT MARY HERRERA, U.S. MARINE CORPS (RET.)

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ANN KIRKPATRICK

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 10, 2013

  Mrs. KIRKPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Sergeant 
Mary Herrera, U.S. Marine Corps (Ret.), a brave young woman and member 
of the Arizona National Guard from my congressional district whose 
personal story of valor on the battlefield is truly inspirational. Her 
courage under enemy attack on November 8, 2003 on a routine mission in 
Iraq as part of the 855th Military Police Academy won her a Purple 
Heart.
  I am proud of Sgt. Herrera, who represents the best and brightest in 
not only my district and state of Arizona, which is home to over a half 
million veterans, but also in our nation.
  Thanks to her story and example, the state of Arizona passed a bill 
that authorized tuition waiver scholarships to National Guardsmen and 
women who received a Purple Heart or were medically discharged due to 
injuries while serving in the military after 9/11. The bill is known as 
the Mary Herrera bill. Now, Sgt. Herrera is a Field Representative of 
the West for the Coalition to Salute America's Heroes.
  The Coalition to Salute America's Heroes is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, 
non-partisan organization, established in 2004 to provide severely 
wounded veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and their families 
with emergency financial assistance and other support services to help 
them recover from their injuries and rebuild their lives. All funds 
needed to develop and manage programs that advance its mission come 
from contributions to CSAH by individual citizens, corporate donors and 
foundations.
  According to Major General David Rataczak of the Arizona National 
Guard, Herrera is ``the bravest person he has ever met.'' He refers to 
Sgt. Herrera as a true example of a modern citizen-soldier who, despite 
being small in stature, is motivated, loyal, physically and mentally 
capable, disciplined and proficient, courageous and always a 
professional.
  Sgt. Herrera, who represents the changing demographic within U.S. 
armed forces, is dedicated to improving the lives of young veterans who 
are returning home from war. Last month, she represented our state in a 
high-level event hosted by CSAH in Washington, D.C., for members of 
Congress, staff and concerned citizens. The event focused on the 
serious challenge of homelessness facing young veterans, which is 
becoming a burgeoning crisis among female combat veterans.
  Under the leadership of President and CEO David Walker, the Coalition 
to Salute America's Heroes helps severely wounded veterans and families 
of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom in the state 
of Arizona and across the country to recover from their injuries and 
illnesses by providing emergency financial aid and other support 
services, in hopes that these veterans can transition successfully into 
civilian life. In addition, the Coalition's emergency aid services 
respond to trends associated with suicide among veterans (24 per day), 
a skyrocketing divorce rate (60 percent among actives), and growing 
domestic abuse.
  Recently, in my home state of Arizona, the Coalition awarded a 
$10,000 grant toward the construction of a multipurpose recreational 
facility designed to benefit long-term patients undergoing 
rehabilitation and other medical care at Prescott VA Hospital. In 
addition, it donated $5,000 to fund the design and construction of a 
bronze sculpture called ``Heroic Challenges'' (in the outdoor 
recreational facility at the hospital), which will depict a runner 
crossing the finish line with a look of determination on his face. The 
winner of this race, however, is distinguished by a prosthetic leg, a 
tracheotomy scar on his neck, several shrapnel wounds, and burn scars 
on one arm. Also, the Coalition donated a grant of nearly $5,000 to the 
Arizona Coalition to End Homelessness to support the group's 
initiatives to provide housing for homeless veterans. The grant 
furnished approximately 60 housing units that will be occupied by 
veterans.
  We have not seen the total surge yet from Iraq and Afghanistan--and 
the women coming out of those conflicts are combat veterans who have 
the same issues the men have. The Coalition is working hard to address 
these challenges. In 2013 alone, the Coalition will have donated nearly 
$1 million in direct aid to veterans in addition to managing the many 
other CSAH programs that are available to wounded veterans 
(conferences, holiday gift checks, education and training, etc.).

[[Page E1823]]

  On December 9-13, 2013, The Road to Recovery (R2R) Conference and 
Tribute is a four-day educational and motivational event for wounded 
veterans and their families designed to prepare them for the challenges 
in their lives that lie ahead.
  On behalf of the state of Arizona, and in particular, the First 
District of Arizona, I would like to offer my deepest admiration, 
respect and appreciation to Sgt. Herrera and the Coalition for their 
efforts to improve the lives of those who have fought and served our 
country with distinction. We owe Mary a debt of gratitude. She is an 
example to us all.

                          ____________________