[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 18]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 25064]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                              H. RES. 627

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. RICK LARSEN

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 16, 2009

  Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my 
thanks for the service of the men and women of the 81st Brigade Combat 
Team and all of the Washington National Guard.
  In August of 2008, over 2,400 Washington State Guardsmen and women in 
the 81st BCT mobilized for deployment. After several weeks of training 
at Fort McCoy, the unit deployed for ten months of service in Iraq.
  The 81st BCT's primary missions in Iraq were providing security to 
convoys, protecting U.S. forces, and engaging in provincial 
reconstruction. They performed these missions admirably, and the unit 
returned home in August of 2009.
  Unfortunately, one soldier in the 81st BCT, Specialist Samuel Stone, 
was killed in Iraq earlier this year. I am deeply sorry for the loss 
that his friends and family must feel. We will not forget his sacrifice 
for our country.
  It is an honor to represent so many of the men and women who make up 
the 81st BCT, the Washington National Guard, and the Air National Guard 
as well as the families who support them.
  Over 11,000 members of the Washington National Guard have been 
mobilized since September 11, 2001, for service in Iraq and in response 
to domestic emergencies such as Hurricane Katrina. Their service helps 
keep our nation strong and free.
  I congratulate the 81st BCT on the occasion of their return from 
Iraq. I thank them and all our men and women in uniform for the 
sacrifices they make on behalf of our country.

                          ____________________