[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 8796]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING SERGEANT ERIC LUND

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DAN BENISHEK

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 4, 2015

  Mr. BENISHEK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Sergeant 
Eric Lund, a true American hero, as well as the community that banded 
together to help serve one of their neighbors who sacrificed so much in 
defense of our freedom.
  Sergeant Eric Lund joined the U.S. Army National Guard in 2003 after 
graduating from Ludington High School. He served with the 126th C 
Company as a gunner atop a Military All-Terrain Vehicle, and was in 
Afghanistan when he was injured in May 2012 as a result of a roadside 
IED. The explosion resulted in serious injuries including the loss of 
both arms.
  Eric spent over two years enduring numerous surgeries during his 
rehabilitation in San Antonio, Texas. However, he knew his goal was to 
be back home in Ludington--near friends, family, and the water. 
Returning home for Eric also meant living an active lifestyle that 
include biking, being outdoors, and most importantly, being able to 
live independently and tackle everyday tasks on his own.
  That dream became a reality as a result of an outpouring of support 
from the Ludington community and the ``Helping a Hero'' organization.
  As part of the their first Michigan project, ``Helping a Hero,'' 
working with Malliet Construction, built Eric a new home featuring 
adaptive technology to allow for independent living tools like voice 
activation and a shower with scrubbers. Donations from the Ludington 
community came in various forms--from money to materials and labor. 
There are so many people to thank for making this project a reality for 
Eric, and I will be proud to join them all on June 8, 2015 for the 
neighborhood ``Welcome Home'' ceremony.
  As our nation's heroes return home, we must welcome them back and 
recognize the sacrifices they made protecting our freedoms and way of 
life. As the Ludington community has proven, we can and must help serve 
these brave men and women. So long as there are soldiers like Sergeant 
Eric Lund fighting for us, we can never forget that the cost of freedom 
is high.

                          ____________________