[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 117 (Wednesday, July 12, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E969]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF FALLEN MISSISSIPPI MARINE CORPORAL (CPL.) 
                          CLIFTON BLAKE MOUNCE

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                            HON. TRENT KELLY

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 12, 2017

  Mr. KELLY of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in memory of 
Marine Corporal (Cpl.) Clifton Blake Mounce, who paid the ultimate 
sacrifice while defending our nation on July 14, 2005, during Operation 
Iraqi Freedom. Cpl. Mounce was killed when his vehicle was struck by an 
improvised explosive device while he was conducting combat operations 
near Trebil, Iraq. Cpl. Christopher D. Winchester was also killed.
  Cpl. Mounce was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, l0th Marine Regiment, 
2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward).
  Cpl. Mounce, a Pontotoc native, graduated from North Pontotoc High 
School in 2000. His mother, Pat Mounce, says Blake loved playing 
football and baseball. In 2001 Blake enlisted in the United States 
Marine Corps following the terror attacks on 9/11. Pat says he joined 
because he wanted to protect his three younger brothers; Shea, Winston, 
and Nate.
  ``I'm real proud,'' Pat said. ``He said he had to go over there and 
fight or the enemy will be on our soil. I supported him 100 percent.''
  Additionally, Pat says her son was close to the end of his four years 
in the Marine Corps when he was deployed.
  An estimated 300 people came to the funeral which was held at West 
Heights Baptist Church in Pontotoc. Cpl. Mounce's father, Johnny 
Mounce, read letters to the crowd that he received from his son shortly 
before his death. In the second letter read, Cpl. Mounce addressed each 
family member with a special message.
  Following the service, hundreds of cars were in the funeral 
procession. Residents lined the streets of Ecru waving American flags 
as some 200 cars drove by.
  The American flag was presented to Cpl. Mounce's wife, Tiffany, 
during the graveside service at Ecru Cemetery. Cpl. Mounce's family was 
given the Purple Heart medal.
  Cpl. Mounce is survived by his parents Johnny and Pat Mounce; wife 
Tiffany; brothers Shea, Winston, and Nate; and grandparents Flake and 
Dorothy Mounce.
  In 2013, the Blake Mounce Memorial Run for the Park 5K was started in 
Ecru in memory of this brave soldier who gave all to protect the 
freedoms we all enjoy. We will always remember Cpl. Mounce's sacrifice 
to protect our nation.

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