[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 11540]
[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 
Marine Lance Corporal Aaron Austin. He was a young man from my district 
who loved our country and who lost his life fighting for its ideals in 
Iraq.
  Lance Corporal Aaron Austin was a 21-year old from Sunray, Texas. He 
was part of the 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, and 1st Marine 
Division, Camp Pendleton, California. Aaron died April 26, 2004 near 
Fallujah on his second tour of duty in Iraq.
  His family and friends described him as a warrior who was not afraid 
of anything. After joining the Marines, Aaron quickly became a leader 
of his machine gun team. He was the product of a small town and enjoyed 
the outdoors, sports and hanging out with his friends.
  Survivors of Corporal Austin are parents, Doug Austin of Amarillo and 
De'on Miller of Lovington, New Mexico; two brothers, Eric Austin of 
Amarillo and Mike Austin of Las Vegas, Nevada; his maternal 
grandparents, Harvey Grigsby and Virgie Thomas of Lovington; his 
paternal grandmother, Juanita Austin of Yorba Linda, California; and 
many aunts and uncles. Aaron had planned to wed his fiancee, Tiffany 
Frank of Phoenix, Arizona on December 11, 2004. Aaron was loved by many 
and will be remembered as a courageous Marine.
  Those who wish for the liberty of all people will forever owe a debt 
to Corporal Austin. 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.
  Lance Corporal Aaron Austin 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.

                          ____________________