[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 11383]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                             FALLEN HEROES

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. WILLIAM M. THOMAS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 20, 2004

  Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember the brave men and 
women who lives have been lost in the War on Terror. I am privileged to 
represent several military installations, including Edwards Air Force 
Base, China Lake Naval Air Warfare Center, Weapons Division, Camp San 
Luis Obispo and Camp Roberts. Thousands of active duty military, 
Reservists, National and California Guardsmen and women and civilian 
defense contractors serve our country at these installations every day. 
Four young men from the 22nd Congressional District of California, that 
I represent, have given the ultimate sacrifice for their country, and I 
would like to honor them today.
  Army Private First Class Michelangelo Mora Jr., age 19, of Arroyo 
Grande, California, was killed in Najaf, Iraq on May 14, 2004. He was 
buried at the Arroyo Grande District Cemetery on May 24, 2004. Pfc. 
Mora attended the military-style Grizzly Youth Academy at Camp San Luis 
Obispo and received his GED there. After working for a year, Pfc. Mora 
enlisted in the Army with his family's support. His family and the 
community of Arroyo Grande mourn the loss of an outgoing young man who 
was looking forward to returning home after his tour with the 3rd 
Squadron, 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division.
  Army Sergeant Marvin Sprayberry III, age 24, of Tehachapi, 
California, was killed in Balad, Iraq on May 3, 2004. He was buried at 
Arlington National Cemetery on May 14, 2004. Sgt. Sprayberry's family 
journeyed across the country to bury a young man they remember as a 
loving husband to his wife Nadja and a devoted son who called home 
every Saturday to tell his parents he was okay. Sgt. Sprayberry joined 
the Army soon after his 1997 graduation from Tehachapi High School, and 
he spent a tour in Germany where he met Nadja, and two tours in Kosovo 
before his deployment for Operation Iraqi Freedom as a Bradley tank 
mechanic. The community of Tehachapi mourns his loss.
  Army Staff Sergeant David S. Perry, age 36, of Bakersfield, 
California, was killed August 10, 2003 in Baquabah, Iraq. Perry was 
assigned to 649th Military Police Company, U.S. Army National Guard, 
Camp San Luis Obispo. Staff Sgt. Perry's `real job' was as a prison 
guard at Wasco State Prison, and he was known for his reliability and 
love for his family. He joined the military after high school, and then 
later joined the National Guard; he had been assigned to the 649th for 
about 10 years. Staff Sgt. Perry's wife and children, along with the 
citizens of Bakersfield, mourn his loss.
  Staff Sergeant Brian ``Cody'' Prosser, age 28, of Frazier Park, 
California, was killed in Afghanistan on December 5, 2001. He was 
buried at Arlington National Cemetery on December 17, 2001, and I was 
privileged to join his family and fellow Green Berets to pay tribute to 
this young man who chose to leave his close-knit community in the Los 
Padres National Forest to serve his country in the Special Forces. 
Frazier Park remembers Staff Sgt. Prosser as the captain of the 
Maricopa High School football team and the `Most Spirited' in his 
senior class.
  In addition, I would like to remember two other soldiers who died in 
Iraq and who are mourned by their families that are constituents in my 
district.
  Army Sergeant Michael W. Mitchell, age 25, of Porterville, 
California, was killed in Sadr City, Iraq on April 4, 2004. Sgt. 
Mitchell's father lives in Atascadero, California, and he has been 
deeply affected by the loss of his son. Sgt. Mitchell was assigned to 
the Army's 2nd Battalion, 37th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade, 1st Armored 
Division, Ray Barracks, in Friedberg, Germany, where he met his 
fiancee, Bianca. He is remembered by his community as a dedicated and 
disciplined athlete.
  Army Staff Sergeant Richard A Burdick, age 24, of National City, 
California, was killed December 10, 2003 in Mosul, Iraq. Staff Sgt. 
Burdick's mother lives in Ridgecrest, California, and his wife and 
children were living in Lancaster, California at the time of his death. 
He loved his family and was dedicated to his country, coming from a 
family of military men. Staff Sgt. Burdick's great-grandfather served 
in WWI, his grandfather served in WWII, and his father served in the 
Navy for 21 years. His local communities mourn his loss.
  I ask my colleagues to reflect with me on the lives of these six men 
and the many others from past and current conflicts who have given 
their lives in service of their country.

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