[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 12272]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


    REMEMBERING ARMY NATIONAL GUARD SPECIALIST SERGIO EDUARDO PEREZ

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 25, 2012

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is with immense sadness and great 
respect that I rise to remember Army National Guard Specialist Sergio 
Eduardo Perez for his bravery and willingness to fight for his country. 
Specialist Perez was a member of the Indiana National Guard 713th 
Engineer Company, headquartered in Valparaiso, Indiana. While 
Specialist Perez was on a route clearance patrol in Kandahar Province, 
Afghanistan, he was killed in an attack that involved rocket-propelled 
grenade fire and small arms fire. His sacrifice will forever be 
remembered by those he fought to protect.
  A native of East Chicago, Indiana, Sergio graduated from Lake Central 
High School in 2010. Sergio's high school principal recalls that Sergio 
was a quiet, reserved young man and a hard worker. His classmates speak 
of his kindness, respect, and willingness to help others. Shortly after 
graduating, Specialist Perez joined the National Guard, and his company 
mobilized at the end of September 2011. Sergio is remembered by friends 
as an all-around great guy who made a strong impression on those who 
knew him. According to loved ones, Sergio was a person who genuinely 
cared about everyone around him. He had a gentle spirit and a deep 
devotion to his family. In Sergio's own words, ``It takes a lot to make 
me mad, and when I am, I can't be mad for long. I get along with almost 
everyone. I work way more than I should and I'm starting to realize how 
short life is.'' For his remarkable courage and selfless commitment to 
the Army, Specialist Perez is worthy of the highest praise. His life 
was taken from us far too soon. He will be greatly missed and forever 
cherished by those who loved him.
  Specialist Perez leaves behind a beloved host of family and friends. 
He is survived by his adoring parents: Sergio E. Perez, Sr. and 
Veronica Orozco. Sergio also leaves to cherish his memory three loving 
sisters: Candice Perez, Andrea Jimenez, and Karyme Jimenez, and his 
half brother, Axel Perez Martinez. He will be greatly missed by his 
maternal grandparents, Alicia and Charles Orozco, and his paternal 
grandparents, Severo and Ramona Perez. Specialist Perez also leaves 
behind many other dear friends and family members, as well as a 
grateful, yet deeply saddened community.
  Mr. Speaker, at this time, I ask that you and my distinguished 
colleagues join me in honoring a fallen hero, United States Army 
National Guard Specialist, Sergio E. Perez. Specialist Perez sacrificed 
his life in service to his country, and his passing comes as a great 
loss to our nation, which has once again been shaken by the realities 
of war. Specialist Perez will forever remain a hero in the eyes of his 
family, his community, and his country. Thus, let us never forget the 
sacrifice he made to preserve the ideals of freedom and democracy.

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