[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 173 (Tuesday, October 23, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1444]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   MARINE CORPS SERGEANT ERIC MORANTE

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 23, 2018

  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, 1 in 10 Americans join the military 
and I am proud to say that the state of Texas consistently meets their 
quarterly quotas. Texans are raised with a sense of patriotism and 
civic duty, which is reflected by the number of enlisted members in the 
military. As of September 2017, Texas had 164,234 members on active 
duty or reserves, placing Texas as the 2nd state with the largest 
population serving in the armed forces.
  From an early age Texans are taught southern hospitality, religion, 
and love for their country. This is especially true for Marine Corps 
Sergeant Eric Morante, who recalls wanting to be a US Marine since he 
was 8 years old. In 2003, weeks after graduating from high school, Eric 
stepped foot in San Diego, California to complete the Marine Corp boot 
camp. As an 0311-Infantryman, he was given orders to the 2nd battalion, 
7th Marines in Twenty-nine Palms, California. Weeks after reporting for 
duty, his unit deployed to Iraq. Eric would be assigned to a fire-team 
that cleared houses in Fallujah. On his first deployment, Eric was 
conducting raids, patrolling and identifying high value targets, all at 
the age of 18. Eric completed his first 7-month tour and returned 
safely to American soil for 6 months before being re-deployed to Iraq 
on July 4, 2005.
  Eric's second deployment was a little different than the first. Days 
before their scheduled return, the 2nd battalion, 7th Marines, lost 10 
men and had 11 injuries from a single explosion caused by a pressure 
plate IED on the west side of Fallujah. After two ``desert'' 
deployments and the loss of several comrades, Eric Morante honorably 
completed his first enlistment. But this proud Texan was not done 
serving his country or his beloved US Marine Corps. In 2006, he raised 
his right hand, and for a second time, he swore to defend the 
Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and 
domestic. As he prepared for his new drill-instructor role, he learned 
that the 2/7 was being re-deployed for another tour. Eric deferred his 
new orders as a drill-instructor to accompany the men that had become 
his family, to the Middle-East. The loss of his friends weighed heavy 
on his heart and he was not prepared to lose more.
  On April 20th of 2007, four months into this third Iraq deployment, 
Eric stood watch with 6 Marines and a Navy Corps man, over bridge 286 
that overlooks 6 lanes over a major highway that runs through Iraq. On 
that day, their lives were forever changed. A dump truck carrying 3,000 
lbs. of explosives detonated just 15 feet away from the bridge. Waking 
up covered in large remnants of concrete, Eric recalls sitting up and 
spitting up blood. His left arm twisted and dislocated and his right 
leg in an un-natural L-shape.
  Despite the complete state of shock, the constant ringing in the 
ears, and the faint voices, Eric managed to account for his men. 
Miraculously, no men were killed in the explosion, and the 6 of the 8 
men that were seriously injured were medevacked.
  Unable to save Eric's severely injured right leg, the doctors of 
Bethesda Naval Hospital amputated above the knee. Pins were used to 
repair his left hand, surgery to reconstruct his face was conducted and 
once again, Eric would have to learn how to walk. Recuperating at the 
Brooks Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, he found himself 
going through a period of depression and began to isolate himself from 
his loved ones. At one point, was taking 16 prescribed medications to 
help cope with his PTSD.
  In 2009, Eric welcomed his first and only son, which gave him purpose 
and a new perspective in life. His new role as a father allowed him to 
once again be the Eric he once was; a leader with grit, respect, and 
desire to help others. Since the explosion, Eric has completed 
triathlons, 5Ks, and sprints. He also became the first Marine amputee 
to be sanctioned for boxing in the United States and remained 
undefeated for 5 full years. He boxes at fundraising matches that 
benefit veteran organizations, and has created a name for himself in 
the veteran community. He continuously advocates and helps others that 
struggle with PTSD and visits military hospitals in an effort to guide 
amputees through the prosthetics process.
  Mr. Speaker, President Ronald Reagan once said ``some people spend an 
entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference. But the Marines 
don't have that problem''. The great state of Texas commends Eric for 
his service, courage and resiliency. Semper Fi Marine.
  And that's just the way it is.

                          ____________________