[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 196 (Friday, December 1, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1636]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF FALLEN U.S. NAVY ENGINEMAN PETTY OFFICER FIRST 
                   CLASS (PO1) VINCENT E. PARKER, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                            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 U.S. Navy Engineman Petty Officer First Class (PO1) Vincent E. 
Parker, Sr. who paid the ultimate sacrifice while defending our nation 
on November 18, 2001, during Operation Enduring Freedom. PO1 Parker 
drowned aboard Samra, an Iraqi freighter, which capsized in the Persian 
Gulf. Petty Officer Third Class (PO3) Benjamin Johnson also died. PO1 
Parker was part of a security team from the USS Peterson (DD969). He 
was based at Norfolk Naval Station, Virginia.
  United States Representative Charles W. ``Chip'' Pickering, Jr. 
submitted details of PO1 Parker's service into the Congressional Record 
on Thursday, December 13, 2001. PO1 Parker, a native of Preston, 
Mississippi, joined the U.S. Navy in 1982 after graduating from Nanih 
Waiya High School in Louisville, Mississippi. In the document, Rep. 
Pickering described PO1 Parker as a devout member of the Assembly of 
God Church in Columbus, Mississippi, and he grew up in a loving, well-
respected family with five siblings. PO1 Parker's mission on the day he 
died was to enforce the United Nations sanctions imposed upon Iraq 
following the Gulf War. He boarded Samra, a ship believed to be 
smuggling oil for Saddam Hussein. Rep. Pickering commended PO1 Parker 
for his lifelong devotion as a son, husband, brother, father, and 
citizen. Rep. Pickering also said that while serving on board the USS 
Peterson, PO1 Parker was known not only for his naval leadership, but 
also for the example he set as a citizen and a man of God.
  Stephenie Parker Ybarra, PO1 Parker's niece from Columbus, 
Mississippi, paid tribute to her uncle in a post on a memorial website. 
``Uncle Butch, you were loved by the whole family,'' Stephenie wrote. 
``You were one of our family's role models. All the nieces and nephews 
adored you. I can't tell you how much you are missed, but I can tell 
you I am extremely proud to have been your niece. Your ultimate 
sacrifice is only a small reflection of the type of person you were. I 
can't wait to one day see you and grandpa again and recap on all the 
stories you have missed. I love you and miss you!'' Another niece of 
PO1 Parker, Jessica Owen of Amory, posted a tribute on the same 
memorial website. ``I am so proud of you,'' Jessica wrote. ``You are 
the bravest man I have ever known, and your courage has reflected upon 
your family. We are better people because we have loved, and have been 
loved by you. The sacrifice you made for the family and country you 
loved will never be forgotten. I carry your memory in my heart every 
day. Like Steph, I look forward to the day when I can talk to you again 
and to the day when we can look back at all you have missed and smile 
together.''
  PO1 Parker is survived by his wife, Charlotte Parker; their two 
children, Vincent Parker and Rachel Parker; his sister Ruth Marie 
Parker; and his four brothers, Glenn Parker, Andy Parker, Steven 
Parker, and John Parker.
  PO1 Parker proudly served in the U.S. Navy for 19 years. His 
commitment to protect America will always be remembered.

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