Madam Speaker, I do indeed rise today in honor of Sergeant Christopher Richard Hrbek, a recently fallen marine. It was on January 14, 2010, when Sergeant Hrbek gave his life in service of our…
Madam Speaker, I do indeed rise today in honor of Sergeant Christopher Richard Hrbek, a recently fallen marine. It was on January 14, 2010, when Sergeant Hrbek gave his life in service of our country. And today, we have the opportunity to pay tribute to Sergeant Hrbek by considering H.R. 4628, this legislation that will rename the post office up in Westwood, New Jersey, in his honor.
In addition, though, to paying tribute to Sergeant Hrbek, I would like to pause for a moment to recognize his family as well, for the sacrifice that they now have endured on behalf of our Nation. Chris is survived by his wife, Jamie Lynn Wengerter, his mother and stepfather, Cheryl and James Hodges, his father and stepmother, Richard and Gail Hrbek, his two sisters, Amy Dellentash and Lori Hrbek, and his two stepbrothers, Jim and Beau Hodges, as well.
As was pointed out, Sergeant Hrbek was not only a hero in the armed services, he was a hero back in his hometown as well. Chris was born and raised up in Westwood, New Jersey, and as stated, at the age of 16, he, along with a couple of his friends, became cadets in the Westwood Fire Department.
And just as an aside, I remember going to the funeral and hearing the little stories that they told--even before they were 16 just pretending to be
firemen and the like, and always wanting to be a firemen when they grew up. But at age 16 they were able to actually put that into action and become cadets in the Westwood Fire Department.
Chris saw every opportunity to serve as a chance to shine. This is why it was no surprise when he enlisted in the U.S. Marines in 2003. And as a marine, Sergeant Hrbek served four tours of duty, which included two combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. But it was indeed on December 23, 2009, when they were under heavy enemy fire that he saved a life, and it was of his own Sergeant Major, Sergeant Major Raymond Mackey.
As it was recounted later on to his family, Chris had been out on a patrol at that time when he heard an explosion about 10 paces behind him. Chris turned to see what it was, and he saw Sergeant Major Mackey badly wounded by the explosion.
So what did he do?
Well, he immediately turned his attention to Mackey, applying seven tourniquets and saving the Sergeant Major's life, and he did this all while under attack at the time. This is truly a definition of grace under fire. And for his valiant efforts Chris earned a Bronze Star with a Combat V. However, Chris was not able to ever receive that medal in person.
For it was on January 14 that Sergeant Chris Hrbek was killed on patrol in Helmand Province in Afghanistan after he encountered an IED. Hrbek's family posthumously accepted the Bronze Star on behalf of his life at his funeral. A letter was issued to his parents from the Marine Corps, and I think it really captured the sentiment that I know all America shares. It said, ``by his zealous initiative, courageous actions, and exceptional dedication to duty, Sergeant Hrbek reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.''
After Chris died in combat he received a hero's welcome back in his hometown in Westwood, New Jersey. It was on January 20th, this year, that his flag-draped coffin passed through the streets of Westwood, which were lined as far as you could see with flags and residents and students all coming out who stood proudly, side by side, in a mass of people, to pay tribute to this young man.
Now, joining the procession were the Marines from Camp Lejeune who served alongside him. And one of the marines was Sergeant Ryan Harsman. Sergeant Harsman noted, When Chris walked into a room everyone knew that he was there. He just had that presence. He never ran out of fuel.
Now, the New York Fire Department also honored Chris and, this month, bestowed the title of honorary firefighter, because Sergeant Hrbek had been accepted to begin training with the fire department over in New York City, but he deferred his enrollment twice so that he could continue his service to the U.S. Marines.
Sergeant Hrbek set the highest example, someone who was willing to risk his life to save the lives of others. And so I am proud to be the sponsor of H.R. 4628 honoring the life of Sergeant Hrbek.
And I, with my colleague, join all my colleagues here to support this legislation memorializing Chris and his service to his hometown of Westwood, New Jersey, where Christopher Hrbek will forever be remembered as a hero, as a heroic marine, a loving husband, a son and a brother as well.
