[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 18]
[House]
[Pages 25281-25282]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING THE LIFE OF SPECIALIST DANE R. BALCON

  (Mr. LAMBORN asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of 
Specialist Dane R. Balcon, who passed away on September 5, 2007, in 
Balad, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Specialist Balcon 
died of injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device 
detonated near his vehicle. Dane's mother, Carla, resides in Colorado 
Springs, Colorado, and his father, John, lives in Miami, Florida.
  From an early age, Dane dreamed of the opportunity to serve his 
country. His path to the military began at Sand Creek High School in 
Colorado Springs, where he joined the Army ROTC program. The assistant 
principal at Sand Creek remembered Dane as an outstanding person and 
someone who had an absolute love for the military and serving his 
country. Immediately following graduation, Dane enlisted in the Army.
  Specialist Balcon comes from a proud tradition of military service. 
Both his mother and father served in the military. I am grateful for 
their service and

[[Page 25282]]

their selfless dedication to this great Nation.
  Specialist Balcon was a remarkable soldier and a devoted son who 
honorably served the Nation he loved. Making the ultimate sacrifice, he 
died protecting our freedom and security.
  I thank him, Specialist Dane R. Balcon, for his service to our 
country, and I offer my deepest, heartfelt condolences to his family.

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