On the recordJune 29, 2010
We honor a fallen American warrior today--a Texas soldier who gave his life serving this country, this country he loved. U.S. Army Specialist Matthew Catlett was an infantryman with the 101st Airborne Screaming Eagles out of Fort Campbell, Kentucky--one of the most prestigious and decorated divisions in the entire United States Army. The Screaming Eagle warriors landed in Normandy on D-day, and fought the Battle of the Bulge--the crucial turning points of World War II. The Screaming Eagles fought in the rice paddies of Vietnam. They've stood vigil in the deserts and towns of Iraq, and they're leading in Afghanistan the fight against the cowards in the desert--the Taliban. I have been to Iraq and Afghanistan. Let me tell you something, Madam Speaker, that there is no better fighting machine in the world than the 101st. They were the first conventional unit to deploy in support of the American war on terrorism. The 101st's 'Easy Company' was portrayed in the series 'Band of Brothers,' and like those in the 101st who have so nobly held that line in their storied history, Matthew gave his life with four other fellow soldiers that day. It was the bloodiest day of the war so far this year. Madam Speaker, this is a photograph of Matthew Catlett. He and his fellow soldiers were killed when their Humvee was hit by an improvised explosive device. That is called an IED. That is the cowards' way, the Taliban's way, of fighting our troops.
