[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 15928]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING FIRST LIEUTENANT KEVIN WAGNER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. TODD C. YOUNG

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 6, 2016

  Mr. YOUNG of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor First 
Lieutenant Kevin Wagner for his service to his country and community. 
1LT Wagner completed two tours in Iraq, each marked with heroism, 
tragedy, and compassion. During his second tour, as the winter season 
settled into Mosul, rain fell with little relief which caused his unit 
to suffer from painful trench foot. In response, 1LT Wagner withdrew 
the maximum amount from his pay, and anonymously purchased the entire 
stock of clean, dry, socks from the camp's supply store. He then placed 
pairs on each soldier's bed. His actions only came to light among his 
soldiers ten years later at a reunion. His service earned him the 
Bronze Star, the Army Commendation Medal, Global War on Terrorism 
Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal and the Combat Action Badge.
  Upon his return home, 1LT Wagner channeled his leadership skills to 
better his community. He volunteers to help lead Vacation Bible School 
at his church, and serves as a mentor to at-risk children. 1LT Wagner 
and another veteran began a veteran's support group, ``Home After the 
War'', that aims to help returning veterans talk through trauma they 
experienced in combat. After a tornado struck Henryville, Indiana, a 
friend called on Wagner to help her husband who was suffering from 
violent flashbacks triggered by the destruction in the town. 1LT Wagner 
talked with him, helped him clean his home, and encouraged him as he 
reconstructed his life. 1LT Wagner's compassion and sense of duty is 
apparent in his record both on the battlefield and at home.