[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 179 (Tuesday, November 13, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Page S6910]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             REMEMBERING PRIVATE FIRST CLASS MATTHEW A. COX

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, today I wish to pay tribute to a fallen 
soldier from Iowa, PFC Matthew A. Cox. Private Cox, of Leon, joined the 
Iowa National Guard in October 2017 after completing home-schooling. He 
was a member of the Iowa National Guard's 186th Military Police Company 
and had deployed to Cuba to support the joint military task force at 
Guantanamo Bay. Matthew Cox enjoyed participating in the children's 
ministry at 1st Baptist Church in Urbandale. He was inspired to join 
the National Guard by his grandfather and enjoyed farming with his 
grandparents. His family and friends describe him as an outstanding 
young man, always willing to help others. While in the National Guard, 
Matthew Cox was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and the Army 
Service Ribbon. He died at the age of 19 in a swimming accident.
  My prayers are with his parents, Jason and Beth Cox, as well as his 
brother Mark Cox and his grandparents Fred and Linda Cox. Our country 
owes a debt of gratitude to Matthew Cox and all those who make the 
choice to serve a cause greater than themselves. His service to our 
State of Iowa and to the Nation will always be remembered.

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