[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 77 (Thursday, May 4, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E606]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF FALLEN MISSISSIPPI SOLDIER MARINE LANCE 
                  CORPORAL (LCPL) CASEY LYNNE CASANOVA

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TRENT KELLY

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 4, 2017

  Mr. KELLY of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in memory of 
Marine Lance Corporal (LCpl) Casey Lynne Casanova who paid the ultimate 
sacrifice while defending our great nation on May 2, 2008, during 
Operation Iraqi Freedom. LCpl Casanova was killed along with three 
other Marines when a roadside bomb was detonated while they were on 
patrol in Karmah, Iraq. Also killed were Sergeant Glen E. Martinez of 
Boulder, Colorado; Corporal James Kimple of Amanda, Ohio; and Corporal 
Miguel A. Guzman of Norwalk, California.
  LCpl Casanova was assigned to the Combat Logistics Battalion 1, 
Combat Logistics Regiment 1, 1st Marine Logistics Group, I Marine 
Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, California. LCpl Casanova served 
as a field radio operator. This was her first deployment to Iraq.
  LCpl Casanova grew up in McComb, Mississippi, where she sang in the 
chorus at Bass Memorial Academy in Purvis and played multiple musical 
instruments in the high school band.
  LCpl Casanova's mother, Paula Carruth, shared that Casey decided to 
enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps while she was attending Southwest 
Community College in Summit, Mississippi.
  ``Casey had a servant's heart,'' Paula said. ``She wanted to serve, 
and the military allowed her to do that.''
  Paula says her daughter's death was a tragedy, but triumph rose out 
of tragedy during a memorial service attended by more than 1,000 
people. The service was held at New Heights Baptist Church in McComb.
  ``It became so huge and overwhelming,'' Paula said. ``My community 
was and still is so amazing.''
  This summer, a portion of Highway 98 in Pike County will be named in 
LCpl Casanova's honor.
  LCpl Casanova is survived by her mother, Paula Carruth, and 
grandparents, John Paul and Kitty Carruth.
  LCpl Casanova devoted her life to military service. Her determination 
to serve will not be forgotten.

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