Political Quotes

“over the weekend the war on terrorism claimed another casualty, the first casualty of a National Guardsman and the first casualty from my home State of West Virginia. Sergeant Gene Arden Vance of Morgantown, West Virginia, was killed in eastern Afghanistan after his unit came under heavy fire. Sergeant Vance served in the 19th Special Forces Unit of the West Virginia National Guard and has been stationed in the Middle East for the past 5 months. Like many National Guardsmen, Sergeant Vance lived a productive life in his local community, working at the local bicycle and kayak outfitting shop in Morgantown while maintaining his training and skill to be called on to serve his country on a moment's notice. On September 11, newly married and just beginning a new semester at West Virginia University, he put his studies and his honeymoon on hold to fight terror in the name of freedom. As an American, it is difficult to hear of any soldier dying in the name of freedom, but in this instance it is especially sad to me and my fellow West Virginians because Sergeant Vance was one of our own. Sergeant Vance died honorably in service to his country. His story of leaving his home to be called to help fight the war on terrorism is the story of many other men and women who serve in our National Guard. Their heroic and noble dedication is an invaluable part of America's work in defending liberty.”