[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 12548-12549]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




HONORING THE COURAGE AND SELFLESS SERVICE OF CORPORAL DANIEL PALMER OF 
                            MILTON, FLORIDA

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 26, 2012

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, it is with profound gratitude and 
sincere respect that I rise to pay tribute to the courage and selfless 
service of Marine Corporal Daniel Palmer of Milton, Florida. In 2010, 
then Lance Corporal Palmer was severely wounded on patrol in 
Afghanistan, while assigned to Third Battalion, Sixth Marine Regiment, 
Lima Company. After spending the last year in rehabilitation at Camp 
Lejeune, North Carolina, I am happy to say that on July 27, Northwest 
Florida will finally be able to welcome home their native son and an 
American hero.
  Cpl Palmer is a 2004 graduate of Central High School in Allentown, 
Florida. While working at his family's masonry business in 2008 at the 
age of 22, he surprised his parents, Joey and Flora Jean Palmer, with 
his decision to join the U.S. Marine Corps. Cpl Palmer chose the Marine 
Corps because of its reputation for toughness and pride. Cpl Palmer's 
older brother, Scott, says Daniel has always been energetic and 
competitive and was proud of his decision to join the Marine Corps from 
day one.
  On March 20, 2010, LCpl Palmer was leading a team of Marines on 
patrol when he stepped on a concealed improvised explosive device. 
Although he was severely wounded by the blast and shrapnel from the 
bomb, his first concern was the safety of his fellow Marines. When one 
of the Marines on his team started to run toward LCpl Palmer after the 
blast, LCpl Palmer shouted orders to his team to take cover rather than 
rushing out into the open and risk setting off another bomb or exposing 
themselves to small arms fire. LCpl Palmer's toughness and concern for 
others didn't stop there. His first words to his family after he was 
injured were, ``[D]on't worry about me. I don't want you to feel sorry 
for me or anything. I did what I did serving my country.''
  He spent the next two years convalescing at military hospitals, all 
the while comforted by the tender devotion of his loving wife, Becky, 
at his side. Although Cpl Palmer is thousands of miles away from 
Afghanistan, his thoughts are still with his fellow Marines who are in 
harm's way. ``Keep praying for all the boys who are still over there,'' 
he will tell you, ``there's still a bunch of people over there risking 
their lives every day.''
  It has been said that the story of America's quest for freedom is 
inscribed on our history in

[[Page 12549]]

the blood of our patriots. Today, the blood shed by America's patriots 
in defense of freedom is also inscribing the histories of nations like 
Afghanistan. Cpl Palmer's service in the military of our great country 
bears testament to his belief in the fundamental truth that all men are 
created equal and are endowed by their Creator with the unalienable 
right to liberty. Cpl Palmer sacrificed a great deal attempting to 
secure for the Afghan people the blessings of freedom. We must never 
forget his contribution toward that honorable end.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I stand here 
today to honor Cpl Daniel Palmer and all of the heroes serving our 
great nation around the world. My wife, Vicki, joins me in offering our 
profound thanks to Cpl Palmer and his family and our prayers for his 
speedy recovery. May God continue to bless him, his family and the 
United States Armed Forces.

                          ____________________