[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 80 (Friday, May 22, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E789]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING FALLEN VETERANS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. STACEY E. PLASKETT

                         of the virgin islands

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 22, 2015

  Ms. PLASKETT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the members of our 
armed forces who have given their lives in defense of our democracy. 
The men and women whose dedication has been to protect not just our 
land and people, but also the principles we hold so dear: the 
principles of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
  The veterans from my home district in the U.S. Virgin Islands have 
long been among the first to answer America's call to duty. In some 
cases, even fighting in defense of this great nation before they were 
officially a part of it.
  Our territory had only been under the U.S. flag for a few months when 
America entered into World War I. Virgin Islanders had not yet been 
granted American Citizenship, but our people served--and they did so 
bravely, and with honor.
  In the fight to preserve our democracy all Virgin Island veterans 
have given, but there are some, like the nine brave Virgin Island 
souls, who gave the ultimate sacrifice in the wars in Iraq and 
Afghanistan.
  This Memorial Day, I ask that my colleagues join me in saluting the 
sacrifice and honoring the memory of these men. They are:
  Army SSG Kendall Thomas; Army PFC Jason Lynch; Marine Lance Cpl. 
Shane L. Goldman; Army SPC Jose Rosario; Army SSG Gregory Rivera-
Santiago; Army LTC David C. Canegata; Army SFC Floyd Lake; Army SGT 
Jorge Scatliffe and Army SGT Errol James.
  This nation owes these men, and the countless others who have paid 
the ultimate sacrifice, a great debt; one which we can never really 
repay. Our resolve is that their sacrifice is not in vain as we rise up 
in their stead in the continuing fight for liberty and justice for all.

                          ____________________