[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 4]
[House]
[Page 5761]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      WELCOMING 2ND BATTALION HOME

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Kirk) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. KIRK. Mr. Speaker, more than 400 Marines serving with the 2nd 
Battalion of the 24th Marine Regiment will be arriving home in Chicago 
on April 9, 2005, concluding their 9-month deployment in support of 
Operation Iraqi Freedom with a hero's welcome at the Allstate Arena. 
Many organizations, businesses, and families affiliated with the 2nd 
Battalion will come together to show their support, appreciation to 
these citizen soldiers who served their country by championing the 
cause of freedom in Iraq.
  The 2nd Battalion of the 21st Marine Regiment was activated on June 
1, 2004, to support Operation Iraqi Freedom. The mobilization brought 
together the Headquarters, Echo, and Weapons Companies, forming the 
battalion. The unit deployed to Iraq in September 2004 and began 
conducting support and security operations in northern Babil Province, 
Iraq.
  These dedicated marines operated out of an abandoned chicken 
processing plant many described as resembling a police station. Their 
formula for success was to blend their superb military training with 
many years of law enforcement expertise by their commanding officer. 
Lieutenant Colonel Mark A. Smith was an Indiana State police. Nearly 
every platoon included two or three policemen by trade, which proved 
invaluable in the work of the unit. The battalion used police 
procedures in its intelligence work, comparing anti-Iraqi forces to 
criminals back home.
  The combination of marine training and police experience allowed the 
battalion to capture more than 200 insurgents during their deployment. 
Because of their successful nighttime raids, 2nd Battalion 24 Marines 
earned the nickname ``The Mad Ghosts'' from the insurgents operating in 
Babil Province. Like other U.S. forces operating in Iraq, these marines 
truly owned the night, and their operations continued until 2nd 
Battalion was relieved by elements of the U.S. Army in March.
  Unfortunately, some of these brave marines made the ultimate 
sacrifice in the defense of our country. Thirteen marines perished 
during this mobilization and deployment, 12 as a result of hostile 
action. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones 
of the following marines who will not be returning home with their 
colleagues this weekend: Corporal Brian Prening, Corporal Robert Warns, 
Corporal Nathaniel Hammond, Corporal Peter Giannopolos, Lance Corporal 
Branden Ramey, Lance Corporal Daniel Wyatt, Lance Corporal Richard 
Warner, Lance Corporal Travis Wichlacz, Lance Corporal Shane O'Donnell, 
Private First Class Ryan Cantafio, Sergeant Matthew Adams, Lance 
Corporal Andrew Nowacki, and Private First Class Brent Vroman.
  Mr. Speaker, these brave marines, their families and their employers 
back home all made sacrifices to support freedom and human rights and 
tolerance around the world. During their service in Iraq, Iraq became 
the United Nations' newest democracy. We celebrate the citizen soldiers 
who wear the uniform so proudly to protect their great nation.
  To the men and women of the 2nd Battalion of the 24th Marine 
Regiment, to the unit based in Waukegan, Illinois, we offer you our 
heartfelt thanks for your service and sacrifice. We thank your loved 
ones for their sacrifice and support. Welcome home, and most 
importantly, Semper Fi.

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