[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 8763]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING THE LIFE OF MITCHELL ALEXANDER WINEY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 14, 2016

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is with immense sorrow and great 
respect that I rise to remember United States Military Academy (USMA) 
Cadet Mitchell Alexander Winey for his patriotism and dedication to 
serving his country. His untimely death occurred on June 2, 2016, at 
Fort Hood, Texas, while participating in Cadet Troop Leader Training. 
Cadet Winey was a member of the USMA Class of 2018, B Company, First 
Regiment.
  Mitchell Winey, born in Valparaiso, Indiana, graduated from 
Chesterton High School in 2014, where he served as class president for 
four years. Mitchell excelled in his studies and was an honor roll 
student who belonged to the National Honor Society. In addition, he was 
nominated by his peers to participate in the Natural Helpers Program 
during his high school tenure, which was a testament to his helpfulness 
and kind-hearted spirit when it came to serving others in his 
community. An accomplished athlete, Mitchell was also the captain of 
his high school soccer team and enjoyed skiing and hiking. Later, at 
West Point, Cadet Winey went on to become a founding member of the 
newly-formed freestyle ski team.
  On July 2, 2014, Mitchell reported to the United States Military 
Academy at West Point. He was a rising leader in his class and had an 
exemplary academic record as an engineering management major. Cadet 
Winey's outstanding academic performance earned him recognition on the 
Dean's List for four semesters, and he also earned the Army Physical 
Fitness Badge three times while participating on his company's soccer 
and ultimate Frisbee teams.
  Lieutenant General Robert L. Caslen Jr., Superintendent of the United 
States Military Academy, depicted Winey as immensely proud to be a 
cadet and one who exemplified the ideals and values of West Point in 
all he set out to do. For his service, Cadet Winey received the 
National Defense Service Medal and the Army Commendation Medal.
  Friends and teachers describe Mitchell as a gracious and enthusiastic 
young man who excelled as a student leader. His friends will remember 
him as talented, intelligent, hardworking, and adventurous. Residents 
in the community are remembering Cadet Winey as a dedicated American 
hero.
  Mitchell leaves behind a beloved host of family and friends. He is 
survived by his loving mother, Margo, and proud father, Tim. Mitchell 
also leaves to cherish his memory his dear sister, Paige. He will be 
greatly missed by his grandparents, Shirley Winey and Ronald Groff, and 
by many other friends and family members, as well as an appreciative, 
yet profoundly saddened, community.
  Mr. Speaker, at this time, I ask that you and my other distinguished 
colleagues join me in honoring a fallen hero, USMA Cadet Mitchell 
Winey. Cadet Winey sacrificed his life during training for service to 
his country, and his death comes as a great tragedy to our nation. 
Cadet Mitchell Alexander Winey will forever endure as a hero in the 
eyes of his family, his community, and his country. Thus, let us never 
forget the ultimate sacrifice he made to preserve the ideals of our 
country as a free and democratic society.

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