[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 10845]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  IN TRIBUTE TO SERGEANT FIRST CLASS MATTHEW BRADFORD ``BRAD'' THOMAS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOE WILSON

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 29, 2012

  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, on Wednesday, June 20, 
2012, Sergeant First Class Matthew Bradford ``Brad'' Thomas, of Easley, 
South Carolina, was killed in action while serving in the South 
Carolina Army National Guard in Afghanistan. SFC Thomas attended 
Greenville Technical College after graduating from Travelers Rest High 
School.
  SFC Thomas paid the ultimate sacrifice and served our country in the 
most honorable way. Without the dedication of our brave men and women 
serving in our Armed Forces, we would not be able to enjoy the freedoms 
we hold so dear. SFC Thomas served to the highest standards of military 
service.
  My thoughts and prayers are with wife, Jana, and their son Cayden, as 
well as his parents Charles ``Bud'' and Marsha Thomas. As a Guard 
veteran myself with four sons currently serving in the military, I 
particularly appreciate your extraordinary military family. Freedom is 
not free.

                          ____________________