[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 11539]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                             FALLEN HEROES

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. MICHAEL N. CASTLE

                              of delaware

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 20, 2004

  Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, as we approach Memorial Day, I would like to 
rise in honor of a courageous young soldier who died September 7, 2003, 
of injuries suffered August 30 when the truck he was driving in a 
supply convoy was hit by a civilian vehicle in Iraq. United States Army 
Specialist Jarrett B. Thompson, was a member of the Lewes, Delaware-
based 946th Transportation Company, and sadly was our State's first war 
casualty from a Reserve or National Guard unit.
  At only 27 years of age, Jarrett was a brave young reservist who 
valiantly served his State and Country. A Dover resident who grew up in 
Millington, Maryland and played high school football, Jarrett joined 
the Army in March of 1994. Following a 3-year tour of active duty at 
Fort Campbell, Kentucky, he continued his commitment to service as a 
member of the Army Reserve. When he was called to active duty in 
January 2003, Jarrett dutifully accepted service in the Middle East, 
where his fellow reservists described him as an energetic, mission-
oriented soldier.
  In civilian life, Jarrett was a design engineer for Ashland 
Equipment, Inc. A proud son and devoted husband and father, Jarrett 
will be deeply missed by his parents, Judy Coleman Thompson and Allen 
B. Thompson, his wife Kelly, and their sons Conner and Collin. At his 
funeral in September, Jarrett received a 21-gun salute and the Bronze 
Star Medal in honor of his noble service to our Nation.
  Mr. Speaker, it is my sincere privilege to honor the life of a proud 
soldier and heroic representative of the State of Delaware. Army 
Specialist Jarrett B. Thompson was an honorable defender of liberty, 
and he deserves our gratitude and respect.

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