[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 196 (Wednesday, November 18, 2020)]
[House]
[Page H5872]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            REMEMBERING MARINE CORPORAL RONALD R. PAYNE, JR.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Spano) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. SPANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight the legacy of 
Marine Corporal Ronald R. Payne, Jr., a local hero who proudly served 
our country in the U.S. Marine Corps and was killed in combat on May 7, 
2004.
  Payne graduated from Mulberry High School as a star football and 
basketball player.
  As a marine, Payne had been part of the initial force that invaded 
Iraq and entered Baghdad. He then volunteered to return for a second 
overseas tour. He was initially sent to Afghanistan to help with 
elections but was then sent into combat.
  Corporal Payne will be remembered as the first marine killed serving 
in Afghanistan.
  He will also be remembered as a man of faith. A late journal entry 
reads, ``The fear is starting to turn into excitement. Besides, what do 
I have to be afraid of really? I have God on my side, and He said He 
will never leave us nor forsake us. Having Him is better than any type 
of support or weapon that man can give.''
  To his family, our district still mourns Ron's loss. I salute you for 
raising such a hero who was also such a servant.


             Remembering Staff Sergeant John Allen Reiners

  Mr. SPANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in memory of Staff Sergeant John 
Allen Reiners, a local hero from Florida's 15th District who served our 
country in the Armed Forces and who was sadly killed in combat in the 
Afghan theater.
  After participating in Junior ROTC for 4 years and graduating from 
Haines City High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and then began 
with the Army Rangers.
  He served at Fort Drum, New York, and Fort Carson, Colorado, and, 
during this time, also did two tours in Iraq, where he received his 
first Purple Heart.
  In 2001, Staff Sergeant Reiners died of wounds sustained when enemy 
forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device in 
Afghanistan's Zhari Province.
  He was awarded his second Purple Heart and the Bronze Star Medal 
posthumously for his valiant service and dedication to his team.
  At home, Reiners was also a devoted husband to Casey and father to 
Lex.
  To the entire Reiners family, our district and community still mourn 
John's loss. He was truly the epitome of a great American soldier, and 
his sacrifices will not be forgotten.


               Remembering Specialist Ryan Michael Lumley

  Mr. SPANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the service and legacy 
of Specialist Ryan Lumley, a devoted husband and son who served this 
country in the Armed Forces and was killed in combat in Wardak 
Province, Afghanistan, on December 3, 2011.
  Ryan graduated from Cedar Key High School in 2008, joined the U.S. 
Army in 2009, and soon thereafter reported to Fort Bliss in El Paso, 
Texas, where he excelled with the 2nd Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 
3rd Brigade Combat Team.
  Unfortunately, at the young age of 21, Ryan lost his life to an 
improvised explosive device.
  Due to his outstanding service and dedication to our country, Ryan 
was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on 
Terrorism Service Medal, and several other badges and ribbons.
  Ryan is survived by his wife, Kimber, a loving family, and many 
hometown friends who remember him fondly for his strong character and 
patriotism.
  While some time has passed since his departure, may his legacy 
continue to uplift his loved ones and encourage a grateful Nation.


               Remembering Sergeant Daniel McKinnon Angus

  Mr. SPANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in memory of Sergeant Daniel 
McKinnon Angus, a local hero of Florida's 15th District who was killed 
in action in Afghanistan on January 24, 2010.
  Daniel graduated from Armwood High School in 2000 and, in 2003, 
joined the U.S. Marine Corps, where he knew he belonged and hoped to 
make a career of serving his community and his country.
  Daniel stood out among his peers and received a Combat Action Ribbon, 
two Good Conduct Medals, the Afghanistan and Iraq Campaign Medals, the 
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and a number of service 
decorations.
  He loved spending time with his wife, Bonnie, and his 1-year-old 
daughter, now 11 years old. May she always know and treasure the 
knowledge of her father's heroism.
  You see, men and women like Daniel, who are willing to lay down their 
lives in defense of our country and in support of others many miles 
away, are what makes our Nation the greatest on Earth.
  Let us never take their sacrifice or that of their surviving families 
in vain.

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