[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 11537-11538]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                             FALLEN HEROES

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. MAC THORNBERRY

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 20, 2004

  Mr. THORNBERRY. Mr. Speaker, on this Memorial Day, let us remember 
Air Force Captain Eric Das. He was a young man from my district who 
loved our country, and who lost his life fighting for its ideals in 
Iraq.
  Captain Eric Das, 30, of Amarillo, Texas, was an Air Force pilot for 
the 333rd Fighter Squadron of the 4th Fighter Wing at North Carolina's 
Seymour Air Force Base. He was pronounced killed in action on April 18, 
2003. Eric was on a bombing mission, flying an F-15E Strike Eagle jet 
over Iraq, when his plane

[[Page 11538]]

was shot down on April 6, 2003. Eric has been awarded the Purple Heart, 
the Meritorious Service Award, and the Distinguished Flying Cross. He 
has also been installed in the Amarillo High School Hall of Fame. He 
will be remembered for his strong, sure faith in God.
  Eric leaves behind his wife, 1st Lieutenant Nikki Das; parents, Bruce 
and Rosie Das of Amarillo; two sisters, Melody Neumann and Elisa Das, 
both of Amarillo; and his grandmother, Jessie Renne of Minnesota. Eric 
was not only a soldier, but a friend to many, a committed husband, and 
he will be remembered for the lasting impact he had on those who knew 
him.
  Those who wish for the liberty of all people will forever owe a debt 
to Captain Das. This young man from the Texas Panhandle became a hero 
when he refused to be governed by fear and sacrificed his life for us 
and our safety.
  Captain Eric Das has joined an unbroken line of patriots who dared to 
die so that freedom might live and grow and increase its blessings.
  May God continue to bless our Nation with such heroes.

                          ____________________