Political Quotes

“I rise today to honor the life of 1LT Michael Cleary from Dallas, PA. It has been 14 years since his death. Michael is one of some 288 Pennsylvanians killed in action in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. First Lieutenant Cleary served as platoon leader of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team in E Company, 1st of the 15th Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division of the U.S. Army. On December 20, 2005, First Lieutenant Cleary was killed in action while working in a bomb factory near Samarra, Iraq. His platoon was ambushed outside the facility. He was just 24 years old. Even prior to joining the Army, Michael Cleary was an active member of his community. He graduated from Dallas Senior High School in Dallas, PA, and was a 4-year varsity athlete in both soccer and tennis. He was captain of both teams in his senior year. He received the Dr. Pepper Soccer MVP Scholarship and a history scholarship at high school graduation and was offered academic scholarships at Ursinus College, Gettysburg, as well as Dickinson and Lafayette--all very strong academic institutions of higher education in Pennsylvania. He followed his father's footsteps and chose Hamilton College in New York. While at Hamilton, First Lieutenant Cleary participated in varsity soccer and lettered in varsity tennis.…”