[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 1]
[House]
[Page 929]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    TRIBUTE TO CORPORAL ERIC M. TORBERT, JR., U.S. MARINE CORPS, OF 
                        LANCASTER, PENNSYLVANIA

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Pitts) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to remember 
and honor Corporal Eric M. Torbert, Jr., of Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
  On December 18, 2010, Eric was killed by an explosion while 
conducting combat operations in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan.
  In 2007, Eric displayed his willingness and enthusiasm to serve and 
defend his country by enlisting in the United States Marine Corps at 
Parris Island, South Carolina. He was then assigned to the 1st Combat 
Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary 
Force, Camp Pendleton, California. He deployed to Afghanistan in 
October in 2010.
  Eric understood what it means to live a life with purpose. He served 
a cause greater than himself. He served the cause of liberty. Eric gave 
his life to bring hope to all freedom-loving people as did many marines 
before him in the 1st Marine Division.
  Activated aboard the battleship Texas on February 1, 1941, the 1st 
Marine Division is the oldest, largest, and most decorated division in 
the United States Marine Corps with nine Presidential Unit Citations. 
Eric has joined this storied tradition of service and excellence.
  Before deploying to Afghanistan, Eric married Marcelle L. Sebastian 
on June 12, 2010. Marcelle supported Eric when he joined the Marine 
Corps in 2007 and throughout his entire career. Her steadfast care and 
sacrificial love for Eric and our Nation deserve our sincerest 
gratitude.

                              {time}  1450

  Eric was a leader. He was a caring husband, a friend, a son, a 
brother, and a devoted member of a local band. He leaves behind family 
and friends proud of his service and his distinguished career in the 
military.
  Eric earned a number of awards during his service in the Marine 
Corps, which demonstrates his commitment to our Nation and his 
professionalism as a marine. His personal service awards include the 
Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, 
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, and 
the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.
  May God grant to Eric's family the peace that surpasses all 
understanding. We grieve their loss. Our prayers and most heartfelt 
gratitude go out to them, and I offer them my deepest condolences. I am 
humbled by the dedicated service and sacrifice of their loved one.
  Eric's valor and service cost him his life, but his sacrifice will 
live on forever among the many dedicated heroes this Nation has called 
to defend freedom. He joins the revered ranks of the many thousands of 
men and women throughout American history who have given their lives to 
secure the freedom of the people of the United States of America and 
the freedom-loving people around the world. He is an inspiration to us 
all. Semper Fidelis.

                          ____________________