Mike Pence: “Marines arrived at Barbara Weitzel's doorstep this Saturday at 5:30 p.m. in New Castle, Indiana. She said, my first…”

“Marines arrived at Barbara Weitzel's doorstep this Saturday at 5:30 p.m. in New Castle, Indiana. She said, my first question was, ``Which one?'' Two of her sons are Marines. Both are in Iraq. She learned in that moment that her brave son, Lance Corporal Scott Zubowski, died in Iraq on 12 November 2005. While fighting to defend America and secure Iraq, he was a rear passenger traveling with four other soldiers near Fallujah when a roadside bomb exploded beneath his vehicle. Scott and his family moved to New Castle in 1991 where he attended Greenstreet Elementary School for first and second grade. His teachers quickly recognized his gifts. They placed him in the gifted and talented program, an accelerated academic program at Sunnyside Elementary. Scott did not grow up dreaming of a life in the military but, as is the case with younger brothers, he respected his older brother David. Sergeant David Zubowski enlisted in the Marines. Scott noticed the growing confidence in his brother, and he wanted to enlist as well, which he did after graduating from North Manchester High School in 2003. Mr. Speaker, Lance Corporal Scott Zubowski is a hero. I offer my deepest condolences to his parents, Barbara Weitzel and Richard Zubowski; his lovely new wife, Klancey Zubowski; his two brothers, Brian and Sergeant David Zubowski; and all the family and friends who loved and admired this courageous young man.…”