[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 1]
[House]
[Pages 70-71]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING AARON WEAVER, A FALLEN HERO IN IRAQ

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ginny Brown-Waite) is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, it is with a very 
heavy heart that I rise today to express the condolences of a grateful 
Nation. I rise today so that this Nation will not forget the service 
and sacrifice of those fallen heroes who fight to keep us free. I rise 
today because a Black Hawk helicopter was shot down over Iraq; and

[[Page 71]]

Chief Warrant Officer Aaron Weaver, one of our Nation's finest, died in 
the crash.
  Aaron Weaver was a husband, a father, a brother, and a son; but he 
was also a fighter. In Iraq, Aaron was fighting to protect our 
country's way of life while fighting for his own life as well. You see, 
Aaron Weaver was a cancer survivor. He was still being treated when his 
unit was called to duty in Iraq. Aaron had a choice to stay, but he 
elected to fight for the country that he loved. Aaron was on the way to 
have his blood tested for cancer when the Black Hawk he was riding in 
was shot down, killing all on board.
  We know well our freedom could not have been won nor our liberty 
maintained without those willing to make this ultimate sacrifice. But I 
know these are weak words to the grieving family left behind. I pray 
the Lord will maintain their memory of Aaron and assuage their pain. 
Aaron survived the battles in Mogadishu, he fought cancer, and was 
engaged in a great and noble cause in Iraq. Mr. Speaker, please join me 
in honoring a true American hero.
  Last Saturday, I attended services for Aaron. He lived in Citrus 
County, and his father still resides there. The whole family was there. 
They are a military family, a very, very devoted military family, and a 
very close family who all grieved the loss of Aaron. I would like to 
paraphrase his widow's comments. His widow is Nancy Weaver, and she 
made a comment that Aaron's life, the loss of his life, will not be in 
vain if children in America can live safely; if his children and every 
other child in America can live without fear of another attack like 9-
11.
  Mr. Speaker, Aaron Weaver truly was a modern American hero, and we 
are grateful for his service and the service of all the men and women 
who are serving our country.

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