[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 60 (Thursday, April 6, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E485]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF FALLEN MISSISSIPPI SOLDIER MARINE PFC 
                         CHRISTOPHER DALE MABRY

                                  _____
                                 

                            HON. TRENT KELLY

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 6, 2017

  Mr. KELLY of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in memory of 
fallen Mississippi soldier Marine Private First Class (PFC) Christopher 
Dale Mabry who paid the ultimate sacrifice while defending our nation 
on April, 7, 2004, during Operation Iraqi Freedom III. PFC Mabry was 
killed by hostile fire battling Sunni insurgents while conducting 
combat operations west of Baghdad in Al Anbar Province, Iraq.
  PFC Mabry, a Chunky native, was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 4th 
Marines, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp 
Pendleton, California. PFC Mabry enlisted in the Marines the last year 
of high school at Clarkdale Attendance Center. While in high school, 
PFC Mabry excelled in track and once placed second in the 400-meter 
sprint at a track meet in Carthage in 2002. PFC Mabry, a high school 
senior defensive back, led the football team to a district championship 
and to the state playoffs. Football team member, Spencer Robinson, 
remembers Mabry's dedication.
  ``He was the leader of the team,'' Robinson said. ``Everyone followed 
him. He was the hardest worker in the weight room and the most 
energetic athlete.''
  On the day of his funeral, 300 people attended the funeral at the 
First Baptist Church. Cars lined the streets leading to the church. An 
American flag was raised on the ladder of a fire truck. Clarkdale 
Attendance Center students were excused from class to pay their 
respects. PFC Mabry's grandmother, Frances Mabry, will never forget the 
response from the community.
  ``I'm not surprised at the turnout,'' Mabry said. ``I know he's proud 
of all the people being here. I know Chris is happy about that.''
  PFC Mabry proudly served our nation. His devotion to protecting the 
freedoms we all enjoy will not be forgotten.

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