Pfc. Justin T. Paton Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic
Floor Speech
Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my support for H.R. 3672, a bill that would honor the service and sacrifice of Private First Class Justin T. Paton, who was killed by enemy fire during combat operations 40 miles north of Baghdad in February 2007. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star for his contributions to our country while deployed.
Despite being only 24 years old when he died, Private First Class Paton nonetheless left his mark on the world. A native of the Indian River area, many in his community were struck by his character and leadership potential.
Shortly after word of his death spread throughout the Indian River community, Private First Class Paton's high school football coach noted that he was ``the kind of kid you hope your own son grows up to be.''
It seems fitting that a clinic where veterans receive the care they earned would be named after Private First Class Paton.
Before enlisting in the Army in 2005, he worked as a rehabilitation technician at Northern Michigan Hospital. The VA providers at the clinic that will bear his name will carry on Private First Class Paton's legacy of serving members of his community.
I thank my colleague, Representative Bergman, for introducing this legislation to recognize Private First Class Paton's heroic service to our Nation by designating the Indian River, Michigan, VA clinic as the ``Pfc. Justin T. Paton Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic.''
We shall never forget the sacrifices of young men and women like Private First Class Paton, who bravely raised their right hand and swore an oath to protect and defend our Nation.
This bill has letters of support from The American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, and the members of the Michigan delegation.
Mr. Speaker, I support H.R. 3672 and urge my colleagues to do the same.
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Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I ask all my colleagues to join me in passing H.R. 3672 to designate the clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Indian River, Michigan, as the ``Pfc. Justin T. Paton Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic.''
I thank my colleague, General Bergman, for bringing this legislation to the floor. It is always a poignant matter to consider the sacrifice of such a young American.
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