Doug Ose: “I rise today torn by two emotions: proud of the way that U.S. Navy SEAL Neil Roberts served our country and saddened by…”

“I rise today torn by two emotions: proud of the way that U.S. Navy SEAL Neil Roberts served our country and saddened by his loss in the line of duty. Petty Officer First Class Neil Roberts grew up in Woodland, California, which I am privileged to represent. One of 11 children in the Roberts family, Neil graduated from Woodland High in 1987 and joined the U.S. Navy that September. Neal served with distinction in the U.S. Navy, first assigned to the Navy Air Reconnaissance Squadron and then joining the elite Navy SEAL team. He served in the Navy with distinction, earning two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, three Good Conduct Medals, the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, the Meritorious Unit Commendation, five Sea Service Deployment Medals, the NATO Medal, three Southwest Asia Service Medals, the Battle ``E'', his Rifle Marksmanship Medal, his Pistol Expert Medal, the Armed Forces Service Medal, and the National Defense Award. This is truly a record to be proud of. This year, Petty Officer Roberts was part of Operation Anaconda in eastern Afghanistan. This operation is aimed at containing and eliminating the al Qaeda and Taliban forces still fighting against the newly established democracy, against American troops, and against allied forces in the region. Petty Officer First Class Neil Roberts was there to answer the call and he made the ultimate sacrifice.”