[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 18]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 24100]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




TRIBUTE TO ARMY PV2 JUSTIN RAY YOEMANS, A MODEL OF VALOR IN SERVICE TO 
                              HIS COUNTRY

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                           HON. TERRY EVERETT

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 17, 2004

  Mr. EVERETT. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Army PV2 Justin 
Ray Yoemans of Eufaula, Alabama, who lost his life November 6 while 
defending our nation.
  Private Yoemans was manning his gun position when his Humvee 
encountered a roadside bomb during a street patrol of Baghdad, Iraq. 
According to military accounts, Private Yoemans gave his life to 
protect his fellow soldiers. His was posthumously awarded a total of 
five military medals, including the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.
  Private Yoemans, who was assigned to the Fourth Battalion, Fifth Air 
Defense Artillery at Fort Hood, Texas, gave the ultimate sacrifice to 
his country at the age of 20. His family and friends describe him as a 
loving son and a patriot who was proud to serve in the military.
  I cannot express the proper words to console his family at the loss 
of their beloved son. However, I do wish to convey that America shares 
in your grief as we struggle together to protect our homeland from 
terrorism.
  Private Yoemans loved life and was described by his younger sister as 
``a little boy inside a great man.'' America is fortunate to have such 
``great men'' standing up for the cause of freedom. His valor and his 
sacrifice will never be forgotten.

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