[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 130 (Thursday, July 27, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E736]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





    RECOGNIZING THE SERVICE AND SACRIFICE OF U.S. ARMY SGT. ANTONIO 
                            ``TONY'' MULLEN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JASON SMITH

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 27, 2023

  Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Sgt 
Antonio ``Tony'' Mullen, of Rolla, Missouri, on his honorable service 
and sacrifice in the U.S. Army. Sergeant Mullen is being celebrated by 
Helping a Hero Organization for his distinguished valor and dedication 
to the security of our country.
  Sgt. Mullen grew up in a family of veterans and decided to follow in 
their footsteps. After the tragic events of 9/11 he joined the US Army 
in 2003 Tony had a knack for mechanical things and became a heavy/light 
wheel mechanic. He performed his basic training in Fort Leonard Wood, 
MO, and from there he was sent to Korea where he served for a year. 
After that he was sent back to Missouri for a few months before he was 
deployed to Iraq.
  In the army, Sgt. Mullen found the sense of community that he had 
been searching for but had yet to experience. Sgt. Mullen was deployed 
to Iraq when his second child was born. He was not able to get home for 
her birth but was able to stay on the phone during the entire labor and 
delivery. He named her America; he wanted her to know that he risked 
his life for his country and would risk it for her forever.
  In the line of duty, Mullen was deployed to Iraq, where his Forward 
Operating Base was attacked. He sustained several life-altering 
injuries while serving his country but never wavered in his love of his 
country and the brothers he fought beside him. Tony has recently 
completed work on a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and hopes to 
become a drug and alcohol counselor for military veterans.
  Mullen and his wife, Lacy, are the proud parents of 4 children, 
Darian, America, Dalayla, and Israel.
  The men and women who defend our Nation will always have my support. 
On behalf of the entire eighth congressional district, we thank Sgt 
Antonio ``Tony'' Mullen for his dedicated service to this great Nation.

                          ____________________