Political Quotes

“Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Staff Sergeant Vincent J. Bell, United States Marine Corps. He was 28 years old, the son of Pamela Alexander-Bell and James Bell, the husband of Karen Navarrete, and the brother of London Bell and Andrea Roe. Staff Sergeant Bell enlisted in the Marine Corps on July 7, 2001, and became an artilleryman. During his career, Staff Sergeant Bell served his country with distinction and deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom with Battalion Landing Team 2/1; 2nd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment; Battalion Landing Team 2/4; and 5th Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment. On October 31, 2011, Staff Sergeant Bell deployed with the 2nd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, where he served as a Howitzer section chief for a 10-man team in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. On November 30, Staff Sergeant Bell was in Kajaki, Helmand province, Afghanistan, when he stepped on an improvised explosive devices while on a dismounted patrol. He succumbed to his wounds, making the ultimate sacrifice for his country. Staff Sergeant Bell loved being a marine. He said that ``the ability to serve is the greatest calling an American could do, even more so to be a United States marine.'' Staff Sergeant Bell was well respected by his seniors and subordinates alike. His company commander, Captain Joshua Kling, said he ``can't remember one conversation with Staff Sergeant Bell where he wasn't smiling and telling me how great it was.…”