[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 203 (Wednesday, December 13, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1692]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF FALLEN SOLDIER ARMY STAFF SERGEANT (SSG) MILTON 
                             RIVERA-VARGAS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TRENT KELLY

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 13, 2017

  Mr. KELLY of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in memory of Army 
Staff Sergeant
  (SSG) Milton Rivera-Vargas who paid the ultimate sacrifice on 
December 8, 2005, during Operation Iraqi Freedom. SSG Rivera-Vargas 
suffered a heart attack and died while on guard duty in Kalsu, Iraq. 
SSG Rivera-Vargas was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 296th Infantry 
Regiment, Puerto Rico Army National Guard, Sabana Grande, Puerto Rico.
  Minerva Rivera, SSG Rivera-Vargas' niece, paid tribute to her uncle 
on a memorial website. ``My uncle was the best person around,'' Minerva 
said. ``He always had a smile on his face. He always protected us in 
every way. It has been three years since he passed away and there is 
not a day that passes that I don't think of him or speak of him. I 
still remember the last day I saw him. The last thing he told us was to 
pray for him and to not worry about him because he would be home soon. 
That day never came.''
  SSG Rivera-Vargas was laid to rest at Los Robles Memorial park in 
Cabo Rojo, Cabo Rojo Municipality, Puerto Rico, USA.
  SSG Rivera-Vargas proudly served our nation. His service and 
sacrifice will always be remembered.

                          ____________________