[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 21609]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


[[Page 21609]]

                          EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS

                TRIBUTE TO MASTER SERGEANT DAVID VAZQUEZ

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSE E. SERRANO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, November 5, 2001

  Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Master Sergeant 
David Vazquez, a decorated Veteran, retired from the United States 
Marine Corps after 22 years of service. The ceremony to acknowledge 
this Marine's retirement and to celebrate his accomplishments occurred 
November 1, 2001 in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania.
  Master Sergeant David Vazquez was born in Sabana Grande, Puerto Rico 
on March 29, 1959. An already well-traveled young Marine, he married 
his lovely wife, Viviana, seventeen years ago. MSgt and Mrs. Vazquez 
have two children. Vashty and Daviana. Mr. Speaker, military families 
develop the ability to make a home anywhere in the world and the 
Vazquez family is no exception. They have made a home to a host of 
nations, including Madagascar, Brazil and Japan.
  MSgt. Vazquez attended boot camp at the notorious Parris Island in 
South Carolina and from there was assigned to First Marine Division at 
Camp Pendleton, California. Following a tour overseas, he served as a 
Marine Security Guard in Mouroubia, Liberia, The Hague in Holland, and 
Saint George, Granada. MSgt. Vazquez shifted his MOS (Military 
Operational Specialty) to Aviation Electrician for CH 46 helicopters. 
This new MOS got him an assignment in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. After an 
assignment in San Diego, California, MSgt. Vazquez was sent to the 
Persian Gulf to serve in operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. 
Upon return from the Persian Gulf, the Vazquez family embarked on some 
more world-traveling before settling down in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania 
where it looks like they may have made their last home.
  Mr. Speaker, MSgt. Vazquez will not retire from the United States 
Marines without having left his mark. His sharp-shooting skills won him 
a record of 247 bull's-eye shots out of 250 and allowed him to shoot a 
perfect score in the Marine Security Course. MSgt. Vazquez also holds 
the record for the highest number of sit-ups done by any member of the 
Armed Forces. This Marine astonished everyone when he completed 2101 
sit-ups in 58 minutes.
  He was runner-up for Drill Instructor of the year in 1989 and part of 
the winning Detachment of the Year while serving in Anavanario, 
Madasgascar. MSgt. Vazquez's accomplishments throughout his 22 years of 
service go on and on. He is the epitome of a Marine; valiant, noble, 
and dedicated to going beyond the call of duty.
  I ask all of my colleagues to join me in thanking MSgt. Vazquez for 
his 22 years of service to our country and in congratulating him on his 
much-deserved retirement.

                          ____________________