[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 2857]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




PAYING TRIBUTE TO MARINE LANCE CPL. JOHN JOSHUA THORNTON, KILLED WHILE 
                      SERVING HIS COUNTRY IN IRAQ

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JON C. PORTER

                               of nevada

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 7, 2006

  Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Marine Lance Cpl. John 
Joshua Thornton, who was killed on Saturday, February 25, 2006, at the 
age of 22, while serving in Iraq. I recognize him today for his 
dedicated service to this country for the cause of freedom in a global 
community.
  Throughout his life, Josh did everything 100 percent. As a child, he 
took over the role as head of the household, after his father, Robert, 
died in a work-related accident. He was always a great son, but became 
a man overnight. Josh always enjoyed weightlifting and martial arts, 
and by the age of 7, he received his first black belt. He loved to help 
people, and he taught at an after-school program for underprivileged 
youth. Josh was always very outgoing and brought joy to those who knew 
him.
  It was Josh's dream to be a Marine since he was very little. In 
November 2004, he joined the Marine Corp, 2 years after graduating in 
the top of his class at Tolleson Union High School. Josh was assigned 
as a rifleman to 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment and deployed to 
Iraq in September. As a Marine, he received the Combat Action Ribbon, 
the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service 
Medal and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon. Tragically, on Saturday, 
February 25, he died of wounds received during an enemy mortar attack 
while serving in Ramadi, Iraq.
  Joshua is survived by his mother, Rachel, brother, Kyle, and sister, 
Brianna.
  Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity I have today, to recognize 
and honor Lance Cpl. John Joshua Thornton in front of my colleagues on 
the floor of the House of Representatives. I have been a longtime 
friend with his great, great grandmother Nita Andrews and her recently 
deceased husband, Ed Andrews.

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