Mike Pence: “the sad news reached Hoosiers last week. Army Lieutenant Robert Colvill, Junior, of Anderson, Indiana, lost his life…”

“the sad news reached Hoosiers last week. Army Lieutenant Robert Colvill, Junior, of Anderson, Indiana, lost his life fighting to liberate Iraq and defend American ideals overseas. He and three other soldiers died as a result of wounds suffered during a terrorist car bombing and mortar attack. Robert Colvill, Jr., was a hero who believed in this great Nation. In the ninth grade, he determined he would serve his country in the Marine Corps. And so, after graduating from Madison Heights High School in 1991, he joined the Marines. He retired after 8 years of service, having achieved the status of sergeant. But his passion for fighting for his country was too much to ignore; and Robert Colvill, Jr., enlisted in the United States Army after only 1 year as a civilian. I think Mayor Kevin Smith of Anderson, Indiana, said it best when he said, ``Soldiers like Lt. Colvill represent the best of the United States of America, men and women of ideals who are unafraid to fight for freedom for themselves, their country, and other peoples of the world.'' Mr. Speaker, Lt. Robert Colvill, Jr., is a hero whose service and sacrifice brought freedom to 25 million Iraqis. His memory and the memory of that sacrifice will forever be emblazoned on the hearts of two grateful nations. I offer my deepest condolences to his family and friends and the community at large as we deal with the loss of a hero.”