[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 99 (Tuesday, June 24, 2014)]
[House]
[Page H5643]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         LIEUTENANT DARRYN ANDREWS: AMERICAN WARRIOR AND TEXAN

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Poe) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, growing up, Darryn Andrews was known 
as one of the most selfless and patriotic kids in the neighborhood. Not 
surprisingly, he joined the United States Army to serve America. 2nd 
Lieutenant Darryn Andrews was the platoon leader for the 3rd Blackfoot 
Company, 1st Battalion, 501st infantry (Airborne) in Afghanistan.
  On September 4, 2009, 2nd Lieutenant Andrews' platoon was on a 
mission and was traveling along a walled road in Afghanistan when an 
IED exploded and disabled the lead vehicle in the convoy. Lieutenant 
Andrews quickly jumped out of his vehicle and was assessing the damage 
of the vehicle that had hit the IED, and he saw through the glint in 
his eye an RPG coming straight for him and his fellow troops. So, in an 
instant, he jumped on top of his fellow soldiers and took the brunt of 
the RPG. He sacrificed himself so that his buddies would live. 
Recently, it was learned that Lieutenant Andrews and his patrol were 
searching for a missing soldier by the name of Bowe Bergdahl.
  Second Lieutenant Andrews was awarded the Silver Star in honor of his 
service and the sacrifice he made for his fellow soldiers.
  At his death, Darryn left behind his 2-year-old son, his pregnant 
wife, his twin brother, and both of his parents, Andy and Sondra. Both 
of his parents, Andy and Sondra, were here last week and testified 
before my Terrorism Subcommittee. Sondra still wears Darryn's dog tags. 
The family lives in Cameron, Texas.
  Mr. Speaker, General George Patton said it best about warriors such 
as Lieutenant Darryn Andrews who die in battle. He said:

       While we continue to mourn the loss of such soldiers, we 
     should thank God that such men ever lived.

  And that's just the way it is.

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