Honoring the Life of Corporal Armando Ariel Gonzalez

Today, Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) made the following remarks on the House Floor:"Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the life of Corporal Armando Ariel Gonzalez, who gave his life bringing Freedom to the oppressed people of Iraq. Armando understood the significance of Operation Iraqi Freedom better than most Americans, because as a teenager he and his father used a raft to escape from an oppressive regime in Cuba to find liberty in America," said Rep. Wilson."Corporal Gonzalez was a dedicated Marine assigned to Marine Wing Support Squadron-273 stationed at Marine Corps Air Station, Beaufort, in South Carolina. He served bravely in a hostile environment, and supported one of the most successful military campaigns in history, one that will be immortalized along with battles like Belleau Wood, Okinawa, Inchon, and Khe Sanh."Armando fought for a country he could not call his own, but has received his citizenship posthumously, thanks to the hard work of Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart. He leaves behind a loving wife, Liudmila, who is expecting their first child. His baby will be born an American, and can be proud of a father who died as a true patriot."In conclusion, God bless our troops," said Rep. Wilson.###