Honoring The Ultimate Sacrifice Of Corporal Joseph Earl Fite
Mr. Speaker, I had anticipated that this, my first speech on the floor of the House of Representatives, would pertain to Social Security or tax reform, maybe transportation or immigration. But tonight, on this winter's eve, I ask you to…
Mr. Speaker, I had anticipated that this, my first speech on the floor of the House of Representatives, would pertain to Social Security or tax reform, maybe transportation or immigration. But tonight, on this winter's eve, I ask you to listen about one very brave and outstanding young soldier. For me, there is no more of an honor than to tell you about Corporal Joseph Earl Fite.
From the time he was 14 years old, his parents, Marcia and Olin, say he wanted to serve our Nation, help America, help the world. When he was 14 and attending Round Rock High School in Round Rock, Texas, Joseph Fite joined the Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps, starting a well-thought-out and altruistic journey which he expected and hoped would lead him to the United States Marine Corps.
After graduating from high school in 1999, he joined the Marine Reserves, doing so while attending the University of Texas. But after the September 11 attacks, after those planes slammed into our towers, into our cities, into the ground and into our hearts, the Marines called upon this capable young man to defend and promote our freedom. Serving in the First Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, Corporal Fite's father told me how his son believed in the war on terror, a battle to bring the Iraqi society a democracy, a freedom few have known.
Just a couple of days ago, freedom rang in that country. That battle, which Corporal Fite helped wage, was victorious last Sunday as millions of Iraqi voters went to the polls and chose those who shall lead their government. Joseph Fite helped bring that God-given right to the people of Iraq. This 23-year-old soldier spent nearly a year in Iraq helping free a people, many of whom for the first time had the cloak of tyranny and terrorism pulled from their faces. And like so many soldiers, the images he saw, the sounds he heard, the experiences he felt gave him a unique perspective.
In fact, in a letter to his young cousin, he wrote, ``What it really means to me is that America is freedom, and what I've learned from being over here is that too many people, me included, I admit, take for granted that which we are supposed to hold most dear. It isn't until you see how other countries under less democratic forms of government are living, Iraq, for example, that you realize how well off Americans really have it.'' These are words written by Corporal Fite just 4 days before he died.
On Sunday afternoon, January 9, while at a checkpoint, a driver tore through barricades and struck the corporal. He died with little more than a month left to serve in Iraq.
It would be too simple to say that Joseph Fite died for his country, that he was killed fighting for freedom. Corporal Fite had a burning desire in his heart to bring the fresh taste of democracy to those who had never had that experience. So I end tonight by asking, please take a moment to remember Joseph Fite, who made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom. Remember a God-fearing young man who simply wanted to make his parents and family proud by helping build a nation free from terror and making our Nation more secure. And in remembering Corporal Joseph Fite, remember the tens of thousands of soldiers, Marines, airmen and sailors who tonight remain awake and alert, guarding our freedom so that we may sleep in its comfort.
We celebrate this young hero who laid down his life, his very life, so that others may live in freedom. He is with his God now. May God bless America, may God bless Marcia and Olin Fite for their sacrifice, and may He hold Joseph in the palm of His hand.