WASHINGTON,
November 27, 2010
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Rep. Scott Garrett (R-NJ) attended a ceremony today at the United States Post Office in Westwood, NJ to rename the building in honor of Christopher R. Hrbek, a Marine Sergeant killed in January while serving on tour in Afghanistan. Garrett sponsored the bill in the House of Representatives to dedicate the post office building in honor of Hrbek, which President Barack Obama signed in June.
Below are the prepared remarks Garrett delivered at the ceremony today:
“We gather here today to honor Sergeant Christopher R. Hrbek for his courage, his sacrifice, and his dedication to the United States of America.
“In honoring him today at the newly named Sergeant Christopher R. Hrbek Post Office, we assure that the Westwood community will always remember the valor of a young Marine who gave his life in service to his country.
“When I first heard of Sergeant Hrbek’s story and the circumstances surrounding his death, I knew how important it was that we honored him for his courage under fire.
“I knew how important it was for his family, his friends and his fellow soldiers that we paid tribute to him for his service and sacrifice as a United States Marine in Afghanistan.
“As you already know, he led a remarkable life – a life dedicated to putting others first.
“Whether it was serving as a member of the Westwood Fire Department or as a United States Marine, Sergeant Hrbek always put the interests of others before his own.
“When I think about Sergeant Hrbek the first word that comes to mind is SELFLESS.
“He was selfless in that when the time came for a Westwood fire fighter to save someone in danger, he was always the first one to volunteer.
“He was selfless in that he put his dreams of being in the FDNY on hold to serve his country as a United States Marine in combat.
“He was selfless in that he put his comrades first in December 2009 when he rushed to the aid of his Sergeant Major despite being under enemy gunfire.
“Beyond his selflessness, the stories I’ve heard about Sergeant Hrbek demonstrate time-and-time-again a man who exhibited a sense of bravery that was second to none.
“When Sergeant Hrbek left to serve in Afghanistan, he was proud to join the ranks of those who have risked their lives for the defense of our nation.
“Sergeant Hrbek, like the many men and women before him, faced uncertainty when he entered combat. Yet he overcame, and stood valiantly shoulder-to-shoulder with his comrades on the field of battle.
“Many of our brave soldiers, like Sergeant Hrbek, give the full measure in defense of our nation.
“By re-naming this Post Office after Sergeant Christopher R. Hrbek, it is my hope that those that enjoy the freedoms of this great country will not let him or other heroes like him be forgotten.
“Let today be a day to thank the Lord for the stoic courage of Sergeant Hrbek and those who continue to wear the uniform in defense of our Republic. May God bless America and may God bless the men and women of the United States military.”
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