Mark Souder: “it is with a heavy heart I stand before you today. Near An Nasiriyah, Iraq, Marine Lance Corporal David K. Fribley, from…”

“it is with a heavy heart I stand before you today. Near An Nasiriyah, Iraq, Marine Lance Corporal David K. Fribley, from Atwood, Indiana, and seven of his fellow Marines were killed in the opening march of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Reports of the incident indicate that a group of Iraqi soldiers approached the Marines under a flag of surrender and proceeded to open fire. It is tragic that Corporal Fribley died. It is outrageous that he was murdered under a white flag. David grew up in Kosciusko County. There he attended Warsaw Community High School, where he lettered 4 years in football and track and field. A former teacher said of David that he could not think of anyone who worked harder, both on the field and the classroom. David continued his track career at Indiana State University. After graduating from college in 2001, David moved to Fort Myers, Florida. The tragic events of September 11, 2001, his father said, played a major role in motivating David to join the Marine Corps. Lance Corporal David Fribley is survived by his parents, Gary and Linda Fribley, who remain residents of Kosciusko County. I ask that my colleagues join me and my fellow residents of the Third District in offering our most sincere condolences to the Fribley family and all who loved David.”