[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 3]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 3585]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




            TRIBUTE TO STAFF SGT. LOUIS F. ``LOUIE'' CARDIN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN CALVERT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 22, 2016

  Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a hero from 
my congressional district, United States Marine Corps Staff Sergeant 
Louis F. ``Louie'' Cardin. Today we ask that the House of 
Representatives honor and remember this incredible young man who died 
in service to our country.
  SSG Cardin was from Temecula, California, where he graduated from 
Chaparral High School. He was the second youngest of seven siblings, 
siblings whom he looked up to and followed including following one 
brother into military service. Staff Sergeant Cardin is remembered 
fondly by family and friends, who knew him for his humor and love of 
family and life. He is survived by this parents and siblings.
  SSG Cardin was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 
26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He was 
killed in action in Makhmur, Iraq on March 19, 2016. Staff Sergeant 
Cardin was 27 years old. He had an illustrious military career where he 
was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation, three Afghanistan Campaign 
medals, an Iraq Campaign Medal, and three Sea Service Deployment 
ribbons.
  As we look at the incredibly rich military history of our country we 
realize that this history is comprised of men, just like Staff Sergeant 
Cardin, who bravely fought for the ideals of freedom and democracy. 
Each story is unique and humbling for those of us who, far from the 
dangers they have faced, live our lives in relative comfort and ease. 
The day the Cardin family learned of their son and brother's death was 
probably the hardest day they have ever faced and our thoughts, prayers 
and deepest gratitude for Staff Sergeant Cardin's sacrifice go out to 
them. There are no words or actions that can ease their grief. What 
words we can offer only begin to convey our deep respect and highest 
appreciation for the sacrifice Staff Sergeant Cardin made for our great 
nation. His sacrifice is forever etched in the history of freedom 
triumphing over oppression.
  Staff Sergeant Cardin's family has given a part of themselves in the 
loss of their loved one and we hope they know that the goodness he 
brought to this world and the sacrifice he has made will never be 
forgotten.

                          ____________________