[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 15351]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




       STATEMENT ON THE LOSS OF LANCE CORPORAL HOLLY ANN CHARETTE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES R. LANGEVIN

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 30, 2005

  Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, it is with profound sorrow that I rise to 
recognize the loss of a brave Marine in Iraq, Lance Corporal Holly Ann 
Charette, a Rhode Island citizen who served with dignity and honor. I 
join her family and the people of Rhode Island in mourning this great 
loss.
  On Friday, June 23rd, Lance Corporal Charette died near Fallujah, 
Iraq, when her unit was attacked by a vehicle-borne explosive device. 
She was serving with Headquarters Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II 
Marine Expeditionary Force, out of Camp Lejeune, NC. Lance Corporal 
Charette grew up in Coventry, Rhode Island, and was an avid athlete who 
enjoyed competing as part of the field hockey team and cheerleading 
squad. She made the decision to enlist with the Marine Corps in 2002, 
desiring to serve her country after the attacks of September 11th. When 
her company completed training at Camp Lejeune, Lance Corporal Charette 
was deployed with them to Iraq in an administrative position, charged 
with handling the correspondence of her fellow Marines keeping touch 
with their friends and loved ones. She is survived by her mother, 
Regina Roberts, stepfather Ed Roberts, her father, Raymond Charette, 
three brothers and her fiance.
  The loss of Lance Corporal Charette gives us reason to reflect upon 
the courage demonstrated by our men and women in uniform on a daily 
basis, as they work to protect freedom around the world. They answered 
the call to duty without reservation, accepting the obligation of 
preserving freedom, liberty and the security of others no matter the 
danger. We must remember those who have fallen not only as marines, 
soldiers, sailors and airmen, but as patriots who made the ultimate 
sacrifice for us. May we keep their loved ones in our thoughts and 
prayers as they struggle to endure this difficult period and mourn the 
heroes America has lost.
  We will continue to hope for the safe and speedy return of all of our 
troops serving throughout the world.

                          ____________________