[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 144 (Thursday, September 7, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1179]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF FALLEN MISSISSIPPI SOLDIER ARMY SPECIALIST 
                        (SPC) JOSHUA ISAAC BUNCH

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                            HON. TRENT KELLY

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 7, 2017

  Mr. KELLY of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in memory of 
fallen Mississippi soldier Army Specialist (SPC) Joshua Isaac Bunch who 
gave his life while in service to our great nation on August 6, 2004, 
during Operation Iraqi Freedom. SPC Bunch was killed when Iraqi 
insurgents firing small arms and rocket-propelled grenades ambushed the 
Humvee he was riding in near Baghdad. SPC Bunch was assigned to the 
91st Engineer Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.
  SPC Bunch, the son of Bill and Karen Bunch, grew up in Hattiesburg, 
Mississippi. He graduated from North Forrest High School in 1999. He 
decided to join the U.S. Army in 2001. He was deployed to Iraq in 2004. 
Mrs. Bunch said her son wanted to serve in the Army because he wanted 
to do his part. ``I'm very proud,'' Mrs Bunch said. ``I'm proud he did 
what was in his heart to do.'' Mr. Bunch said his son was a genuine 
person who was known for his kindness. ``He had a good personality,'' 
Mr. Bunch said. ``He would do anything for you.''
  At the time of SPC Bunch's death, Johnny Dupree was the mayor of 
Hattiesburg. According to the Associated Press, when he learned of the 
soldier's death, he ordered flags lowered to half staff at city 
buildings. Mayor Dupree also called for a day of mourning.
  James Moore, a Hattiesburg businessman, asked the community to pay 
their respects by lining the streets from Moore Funeral Home to 
Highland Cemetery, the final resting place for SPC Bunch.
  SPC Bunch's family was presented with his awards which include the 
Purple Heart and the Bronze Star. Members of the American Legion Post 
No. 24 presented the family with a Gold Star Banner which signifies the 
death of a family member who is killed in action.
  SPC Bunch is survived by his parents, Bill and Karen Bunch; his 
sister, Michelle Cardin; his brother-in-law, Bobby; his nieces, Bella 
and Jacey Bain; and his nephew, Joey Lee.
  SPC Bunch paid the ultimate sacrifice to protect the freedoms we all 
enjoy

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