[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 7]
[House]
[Page 8585]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING SERGEANT MATTHEW W. ECKERSON

  (Mrs. DAHLKEMPER asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Mrs. DAHLKEMPER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor 
the service of U.S. Army Sergeant Matthew W. Eckerson from my hometown 
of Erie, Pennsylvania
  I have a picture of Sergeant Eckerson. While serving in Sadr City, 
Iraq, this 24-year-old was injured after a roadside bomb hit his tank 
on April 24, 2004. Sergeant Eckerson was no stranger to these kinds of 
attacks. While serving overseas, he has experienced five other roadside 
bombings while in a tank or Humvee, attacks which left him with 
traumatic brain injuries from the blasts. His bravery earned him four 
Army Medals of Commendation, as well as the Purple Heart.
  Sergeant Eckerson is now medically retired from the Army after 6 
years of active duty, a total of 33 months served in Iraq from 2004 to 
2008. He is currently enrolled at the University of Phoenix, seeking a 
degree in business management with a concentration in politics.
  Madam Speaker, I am so grateful to Sergeant Eckerson for his 
patriotism and service to our country. This war has affected me 
personally, and I do not take his service for granted.
  My nephew and his wife have served four and three tours in Iraq, 
respectively, and my foster son served in Iraq and came home suffering 
from PTSD.
  Thank you to Sergeant Eckerson, and God bless all the other brave men 
and women in uniform for their service to our country.

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