Major Megan McClung Post Office Building
Floor Speech
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Mrs. KIM of California. Madam Speaker, I thank Representative Grothman for yielding.
Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3608, my bipartisan bill to honor U.S. Marine Corps Major Megan McClung, a local fallen hero from my district who was the first female marine officer to be killed in the Iraq war and the first woman graduate of the Naval Academy to be killed in the line of duty.
H.R. 3608 will designate a post office in Mission Viejo, California, as the Major Megan McClung Post Office Building.
Major McClung grew up in Orange County and graduated from Mission Viejo High School before attending the U.S. Naval Academy and joining the Marines.
Her headstone reads: ``Be Bold. Be Brief. Be Gone.''
While she left us too soon, she left a lasting impact on all those who knew her and embodied the Marines' core values of honor, courage, and commitment.
She bravely served several tours in Iraq, demonstrating an unwavering devotion to her mission and to her fellow Marines. She received the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal.
An avid marathon runner and triathlete, Major McClung competed in seven Ironman distance triathlons. She won the first military female award in Kona in 2000, and she organized the first Marine Corps marathon in Iraq to coincide with the 2006 Marine Corps marathon. She placed second out of the female runners, despite having an injury.
Her leadership, tenacity, and selflessness were evident, and she earned the respect and admiration of everyone who had the privilege of knowing her.
Although we cannot repay fallen heroes or their families, dedicating this post office honors her legacy and preserves her story in the hearts of the community she knew so well for future generations. I thank the McClung family for working with me on this bill.
Madam Speaker, I urge support for this bill to honor Major McClung's legacy in Mission Viejo and reaffirm our commitment to never forget the sacrifices made by our brave men and women in uniform. May Major McClung's life continue to inspire us all.
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