[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 163 (2017), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 5761]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF FALLEN MISSISSIPPI SOLDIER ARMY STAFF SERGEANT 
                    (SSG) JERRY CLARK BURGE, JUNIOR

                                  _____
                                 

                            HON. TRENT KELLY

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 6, 2017

  Mr. KELLY of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in memory of Army 
Staff Sergeant (SSG) Jerry Clark ``Chip'' Burge, Junior who paid the 
ultimate sacrifice while defending our nation on April 4, 2007, during 
Operation Iraqi Freedom. SSG Burge was mortally wounded when an 
improvised explosive device detonated near his military vehicle. SSG 
Burge and Corporal Joseph H. Cantrell IV, of Ashland, Kentucky, were 
both killed by the blast.
  Prior to his death, SSG Burge received a Purple Heart for being 
wounded during a previous deployment in Kosovo. It was during that tour 
that SSG Burge, a demolitions expert and engineer, was investigating a 
bomb in a house when it exploded. He suffered damage to his eyesight 
and hearing. He also received a concussion. At the time of his death, 
SSG Burge was serving his second tour of duty.
  SSG Burge, a Picayune native, was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 8th 
Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, Fort Hood, Texas. SSG 
Burge's aunt, Bobbi Kenney, told a local newspaper that her nephew was 
a soldier who knew the risks associated with his job, but was willing 
to take the risks in order to serve his country.
  Picayune American history teacher Allison Wheat remembers the day of 
SSG Burge's funeral procession. The whole student body of Picayune High 
School and members of the community attended in order to pay their 
respects. In memory of SSG Burge, Wheat's students began hosting a 
luncheon on Veterans Day to honor veterans and their families. SSG 
Burge's family attends the luncheon every year. What began with ten 
veterans has grown to more than 100 in attendance.
  SSG Burge will always be remembered as a tough soldier and leader, 
and at the same time, a great father of three. His devotion to 
protecting our freedoms will not be forgotten.

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