[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 196 (Friday, December 1, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1634]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF FALLEN ARMY SPECIALIST (SPC) JAVIER ANTONIO 
                               VILLANUEVA

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TRENT KELLY

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, December 1, 2017

  Mr. KELLY of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in memory of 
fallen Army Specialist (SPC) Javier Antonio Villanueva who gave his 
life while in service to our nation on November 24, 2005, during 
Operation Iraqi Freedom. SPC Villanueva died from injuries he sustained 
when an improvised explosive device detonated near his dismounted 
patrol during combat operations in Hit, Iraq. SPC Villanueva was 
assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort 
Irwin, California, while serving with the 155th Armored Brigade Combat 
Team from Mississippi.
  According to the Associated Press, SPC Villanueva, a Waco, Texas 
native, graduated in 1998 from La Vega High School. He then attended 
Texas State Technical College for two years. In 2003, SPC Villanueva 
married his wife, Felicia Owens, in Temple, Texas. Later that year, he 
joined the U.S. Army. SPC Villanueva received advanced individual 
training as a 91W (healthcare specialist) at Fort Sam Houston in Texas. 
His first duty station was Fort Irwin, California. SPC Villanueva was 
assigned to Iraq in January 2005 as a combat medic.
  Taliyah Villanueva, SPC Villanueva's daughter, posted a tribute to 
her dad on a memorial website. ``I love you with all my heart,'' 
Taliyah said. ``I wish you were here right now because I would get to 
see you every day of my life. Even if you are in heaven, I still can 
see you, me and my mommy together as a family. We love you.'' Felicia 
Villanueva, SPC Villanueva's wife, also posted a tribute on the 
memorial website. ``I can't put into words the pain I feel,'' Mrs. 
Villanueva said. ``I hurt every day I look at your daughter's face and 
I see you. I find myself in a daze at times because I daydream of the 
past and I wonder what we would have been like in the future. I miss 
you so much, and I will always love you. Until we meet again, continue 
to guide me in the path of success.''
  When former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger learned of SPC 
Villanueva's death in Iraq, he ordered all state capitol flags to be 
flown at half-staff. In 2007, President George W. Bush paid tribute to 
SPC Villanueva's sacrifice during the Fallen Soldier Memorial Ceremony 
at the American Legion Post and Unit 121 in Waco, Texas.
  SPC Villanueva is survived by his parents, Wilfredo Rivera and 
Christine Lebron; his wife, Felicia Villanueva; and his daughter, 
Taliyah Ann Villanueva.
  SPC Villanueva proudly served America and gave his life so others 
could be free.

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