[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 18 (Monday, February 1, 2016)]
[House]
[Page H420]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
MAJOR SHAWN CAMPBELL; CORPORAL MATTHEW DROWN--TEXAS MARINES
(Mr. POE of Texas asked and was given permission to address the House
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, while patrolling the blue South
Pacific seas, two American Stallion helicopters collided off the coast
of Hawaii. It was January 14, 2016. Twelve U.S. marines on board
perished. Despite rescue efforts by air and sea, the marines were never
found. Their watery graves are only known to God.
Major Shawn Campbell, 41, and Corporal Matthew Drown, 23, were Texas'
own. They were graduates of two neighboring high schools--Klein and
Klein Oak--in my Texas congressional district.
Major Campbell, over here with two of his children, was a hardcore
marine. A graduate of Texas A&M in microbiology, he served three tours
of duty in combat in the Middle East. Recently, he was ordered to the
States as an instructor pilot. Major Campbell left behind a wife and
four kids.
Corporal Matthew Drown joined the Marines right out of Klein Oak High
School in 2011. He was on the debate team and was a friend everyone
wanted to have. He was planning on reenlisting in the Marine Corps.
These volunteers lived and died protecting America. They are the best
that we have.
Mr. Speaker, there is nothing like a marine. Ronald Reagan said:
``Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a
difference . . . The Marines don't have that problem.'' These men of
Texas--Major Campbell and Corporal Drown--are two of those marines.
Now there are two more marines guarding Heaven's pearly gates. We
pray for their families.
Semper Fi, Marines. Semper Fi.
And that is just the way it is.
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