[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 21]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 29285]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO JOSHUA PETERS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MIKE PENCE

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, November 17, 2003

  Mr. PENCE. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I pay tribute 
today to Joshua Peters of Muncie, Indiana. Joshua is an Army medic 
currently serving in the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment in Iraq. This 
soldier's recent unselfishness and courageous acts of aiding to his 
fellow comrades demonstrated true American heroism. The citizens of 
Indiana's Sixth Congressional District, joined by all Americans, are 
proud of Joshua's extraordinary actions displayed toward his fellow 
Americans.
  Earlier this month, one of two Chinook helicopters transporting 
soldiers to Baghdad International Airport for their R&R flights home to 
the United States was shot down. The second helicopter did an immediate 
harsh landing to assist the brave men aboard the downed Chinook. As 
Joshua and his fellow regiment members ran to help the injured, they 
came under heavy gunfire without any protective gear, weapons, or 
medical supplies readily available. Joshua was initially the only medic 
at the scene and attended to the wounded for more than 2 hours. During 
this time, Joshua's thoughts remained solely with the health and safety 
of his fellow servicemen. ``God, don't let anything happen to me that 
would render me unable to help these guys--help me, Lord.''
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored today to rise and pay tribute to Joshua 
Peters, a man who by his actions has demonstrated a promise to help 
defend America's freedom. Heroes emerge from the significant events 
happening in Iraq, and I am proud to say that Joshua Peters is among 
them.
  Mr. Speaker, it is my great privilege to stand today and honor Joshua 
Peters of Muncie, Indiana before Congress and the Nation.

                          ____________________