[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 4]
[House]
[Page 4932]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   STAFF SERGEANT JOSEPH D'AUGUSTINE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New 
Jersey (Mr. Garrett) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. GARRETT. Mr. Speaker, I come to the floor today with heavy heart 
and sadness as we honor another fallen soldier and the life and legacy 
of Staff Sergeant Joseph D'Augustine, a young man from Waldwick, New 
Jersey. Staff Sergeant D'Augustine was killed on March 27, 2012, while 
conducting combat operations in Afghanistan.
  It was just 1 day after graduating from Waldwick High School in 2001 
that this young man enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He was 
assigned to the 8th Engineer Support Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics 
Group, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force. He served two tours of duty in 
Iraq, and was just 2 weeks away from completing his second tour of duty 
in Afghanistan.
  Staff Sergeant D'Augustine worked as an explosive ordnance disposal 
tech. What does that mean? That means that he went ahead of the other 
soldiers, marines, and airmen and was the one that cleared the way for 
them so they could go on and do their work. And so it was with this 
greatest act of sacrifice possible that Staff Sergeant D'Augustine gave 
his life while protecting his fellow men and women in uniform. He was 
just 29 years old.
  We're never going to know the number of lives that he was able to 
save in his work. But the tremendous outpouring of love and support 
that we have seen for his family in the days since his death perhaps 
provided a glimpse into the number of people that he touched in his 
short life.
  To those people who knew him best--his parents, Anthony and Patricia; 
his three sisters, Nicole, Jennifer, and Michele; and to his brother-
in-law, Len--he will be remembered as a loving son and brother. To his 
many friends that he grew up with in high school, he will be remembered 
as a good guy and friend by the nickname ``Daggo.'' To his fellow 
marines, he will be remembered as a faithful brother in arms. And to 
all of us here who just may be hearing his name for the first time--to 
America--he will be remembered as a patriot who loved his country, the 
Marine Corps, and as a man who gave his life for all of us by 
protecting our freedoms and our liberties in this country. Let us 
remember this young man.
  The Marine Corps motto is Semper Fidelis--always faithful. Staff 
Sergeant D'Augustine lived this motto. He was faithful to his country; 
he was faithful to the mission; he was faithful to the Corps, and he 
was faithful to his fellow Marines.
  In times such as this, words fail to provide adequate comfort to his 
family and friends. But it is my hope that they know that the prayers 
and gratitude of a nation are with them.
  We will always remember the price of freedom paid by Staff Sergeant 
D'Augustine, and may we determine to live our lives worthy of his 
sacrifice.

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