Madame Speaker, I rise today in memory of Patrick D. Deans who was killed in military action December 12, 2010 in Afghanistan, Kandahar Province. 

This 22 year old youthful Army soldier and his family lived in and near the 7th Congressional District.  Patrick was raised in the St. Cloud area and I never had a chance to meet him.  Because he did not reside in my congressional district at the time of his death I was not officially notified of his passing.  I read about Patrick’s life and his service and his death in our local newspaper. 

When I read what this young soldier wrote in his Facebook posting on November 10th, one month prior to his being killed in a suicide bomber attack, I felt compelled to include his words and some of his life story in The Congressional Record.  In his commentary Patrick said, “A veteran is someone who, at one point in their life, wrote a blank check payable to the United States of America for an amount up to, and including their life. That is beyond honor and there are way too many people in this country who no longer remember that fact.”

 What an incredible statement and prophetic observation from this young man and hero. Before his sacrifice of his own life he clearly realized the commitment he had made to his nation and also mentioned a reality of how military service and sacrifice is often forgotten by people and public officials.  I believe it’s important on not only Memorial Day and Veterans Day and now during the holidays and in fact every day that we remember the sacrifice of Patrick D. Deans and thousands of other men and women who have paid the ultimate sacrifice so that we can live as a free people.

Patrick grew up in East Orange county Florida and moved to Narcoossee and east Osceola where he attended Harmony High and played football. He later resided in East Orange County and graduated in 2006 from Timber Creek high school where he was a member of Air Force ROTC Program.

Patrick joined the Army in 2007 and served as an Infantryman until his deployment. His awards and decorations include: Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Medal and Overseas Ribbon. He was posthumously promoted to corporal.

He is the only child of Patrick M. Deans, a corporal with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, and Robyn Deans of Seminole County Florida. 
Along with my colleagues in the United States House of Representatives I extend my deepest sympathy to Patrick’s family and the eternal gratitude of our nation.