[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 21821-21822]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           HONORING BRAVERY OF MARINE STAFF SGT. BRIAN IVERS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MARILYN N. MUSGRAVE

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 10, 2003

  Mrs. MUSGRAVE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Marine Staff Sgt. 
Brian Ivers for his bravery in the face of combat during Operation 
Freedom in Iraq. Mr. Ivers is a resident of Fort Collins and is a 
Police Officer of that fair city.
  Serving his country on active duty in the Fox 2nd Battalion, 23rd 
Marine Regiment, 1st Division, his company was ordered to rescue a 
group of Marine artillerymen who took a wrong turn in the town of Al 
Gaharraf. Encountering a near blinding sand and rain storm as they 
entered the town, no air support could be provided.
  Staff Sergeant Ivers' platoon came under fire as they entered Al 
Gaharaff. As the first platoon dismounted, they immediately engaged 
with the enemy. Sergeant Jim Cawley's platoon worked to suppress the 
enemy long enough to allow Sergeant Ivers' platoon to enter the town.
  Sergeant Cawley's platoon fought a gun battle while occupying a 
building. A grenade was launched into the building and leveled many of 
the marines because of the concussion. Enemy fire had increased all 
around them while they were returning fire. One of the marines was 
trapped inside the building.
  Staff Sergeant Ivers attempted to rescue him. In his own words, Brian 
said, ``I got up to get him as I thought I could just grab his hand and 
drag him out. As I moved along the wall, rounds began to punch holes 
out of the concrete in front of me. I turned to go back to where I had 
just come from and was struck in the side with a round. The force of it 
spun me

[[Page 21822]]

around and at the time I thought I had been hit in the kidney.''
  Later, Brian would realize that the bayonet had taken the impact of 
the round, deflecting it to his flack jacket, thus saving his life. His 
platoon was in contact with the enemy for over a half hour and was 
running low on ammunition. They were finally told to pull out because 
air cover was expected. A tank showed up about 40 minutes later.
  Brian's ribs were blue with bruises. Months later, Brian found out 
that he had broken the eleventh rib--a good reminder that their battle 
had saved a unit of the eleventh Marines.
  Because he received a wound while in combat, Staff Sergeant Brian 
Ivers will receive the Purple Heart. Mr. Speaker, we are so fortunate 
to live in this great country where freedom is something that we rarely 
have to think about and often take for granted. It is simply a way of 
life for us, and we are truly blessed to live in a country that honors 
its citizens for their spirit, their ideas, their individuality, and 
their courage.
  I am so proud of Staff Seargeant Brian Ivers. Along with a grateful 
district, state, and nation, I applaud Brian Ivers for his courage and 
selfless dedication to duty. He has helped protect our democracy and 
kept our homeland safe by placing his life on the line.

                          ____________________