[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 15002]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


            CONGRESSIONAL RECOGNITION FOR MacAIDAN GALLEGOS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. RON BARBER

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 12, 2012

  Mr. BARBER. Mr. Speaker, I am honored today to welcome back to Tucson 
a very special boy who is coming to visit his father's gravesite on the 
third anniversary of his burial.
  MacAidan Gallegos is the son of United States Army Staff Sergeant 
Justin Gallegos, a brave soldier, who was tragically killed three years 
ago in Afghanistan. Born in Tucson, Arizona, Justin graduated from 
Tucson High School before joining the Army in 2002.
  Staff Sergeant Gallegos deployed twice to Iraq, fighting insurgents 
and helping to secure freedom for Iraqi citizens who were yearning for 
an end to the repression they had experienced for generations. He then 
deployed to Afghanistan, in support of the American effort there to put 
down the Taliban, fight al-Qaida and help the Afghan people.
  Justin often requested the hard assignments. Except for his wife 
Amanda and his son MacAidan, the Army was his life. He was a fearless 
man who worked as a scout in hostile terrain, a gunner on Humvees and 
as a security guard to high-ranking officers.
  As a testament to his courage and dedication as a soldier, Justin 
earned more than a dozen medals including three Purple Hearts, two Army 
Commendation Medals and two Army Achievement Medals. He also earned the 
Silver Star for his actions that day defending his combat outpost with 
his comrades and fighting back the Taliban.
  MacAidan is coming to Tucson to visit his father's grave at Evergreen 
Cemetery. While the visit will be sad, I am positive that MacAidan, and 
his mother Amanda Marr will relive the wonderful times they spent with 
Justin. My hope is that MacAidan will continue to learn about Justin--a 
fantastic dad, brave soldier and deeply loved husband.
  I am honored to meet MacAidan, and share in the memories of his 
father and of his time in Tucson. It is in remembrance that we keep the 
faith of a father lost, missed and revered. Yet we also celebrate his 
shining achievements, his bravery as a soldier and his beautiful boy 
MacAidan.

                          ____________________