[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 2]
[House]
[Page 2409]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




            HONORING THE SERVICE OF SERGEANT MICHAEL STRANK

  (Mr. ROTHFUS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. ROTHFUS. Mr. Speaker, 70 years ago yesterday, American Armed 
Forces fought their way to the summit of Mount Suribachi and raised the 
American flag on Iwo Jima.
  Sergeant Michael Strank, from Franklin Borough, Pennsylvania, was one 
of six men in this iconic photo who helped to raise the flag. Sergeant 
Strank was part of the Greatest Generation, a generation that rolled 
back a dark totalitarian tide that broke upon the world in the first 
half of the 20th century.
  The battle for Iwo Jima was hard-fought and is of great significance 
for the United States Marine Corps. More than 6,800 servicemen died in 
the battle, including Sergeant Strank, who was killed just 5 days after 
the flag was raised.
  This unforgettable photo captured the unfailing heroism and 
determination of those who fought. It reminds us that freedom is not 
free, that it has been hard-won, and that some--like Michael Strank--
have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect it.
  I had the privilege to meet members of Sergeant Strank's family this 
weekend, including his sister Mrs. Mary Pero.
  Let us always thank our veterans who served and their families who 
gave us such heroes.

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