RENAMING OF VFW POST 2391 IN HONOR OF SGT. BRYAN TUTTEN
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HON. JOHN L. MICA
OF FLORIDA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Thursday May 15, 2008

 Madam Speaker,

I rise today, September 11, 2008, to once again honor and pay tribute to Sergeant Bryan J. Tutten, 33, who, like many other brave Americans, joined the military following the terrorist attacks on our homeland seven years ago. Sergeant Tutten died in service to our country on Christmas Day, December 25, 2007 fighting insurgents on his second tour of duty in Iraq.

On Saturday, September 13, 2008, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2391 in St. Augustine, Florida will hold a special ceremony to honor the life and service of Sergeant Tutten. The Post will be renamed the Veterans of Foreign Wars Bryan Tutten Memorial Post 2391.

On Tuesday, January 15, 2007, I included in the Congressional Record the following remarks and today I want to again honor Sergeant Tutten’s by reflecting on his service to the United States.

Prior to joining the Army, Sgt. Tutten, born in St. Augustine, Florida, graduated from St. Augustine High School and attended St. Johns River Community College. He was also a member of Holy Greek Orthodox Church in St. Augustine.

We should all remember Sgt. Tutten’s courage and his ultimate sacrifice for our nation. The freedom and liberty we enjoy and peace in the world for others for which he fought are part of the great legacy that Sgt. Tutten leaves behind. He was laid to rest at San Lorenzo Cemetery in St. Augustine, Florida on January 4, 2008.

After the devastating events of September 11, 2001, Sgt. Tutten enrolled in the Army. His family remembers him as an avid sportsman who loved to fish and cook, and how he enjoyed the time he had playing with his daughter, Catherine. He was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division based in Fort Bragg, North Carolina which was deployed to Iraq.

With the passing of Sgt. Tutten, America has lost an outstanding citizen and a shining example of service to our nation. He will be remembered as a patriotic American, a pillar of our community and a compassionate husband and a loving father.

To his wife Constandina, his daughter Catherine, his son Gareth, his mother Ms. Sylvia Smallwood and his loving family and friends, we offer our deepest sympathy.

Madam Speaker, it is my privilege to recognize Sgt. Bryan J. Tutten’s contributions and to ask all Members of the U.S. House of Representatives of the 110th Congress to join me in recognizing his service in our nation’s Armed Forces and remembering a great American hero.

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