Congressman Phil Gingrey in Memory of Specialist Ryan Charles King

Congressman Gingrey delivered the following remarks on the House Floor in memory of Specialist Ryan King, who was killed in action in Afghanistan on May 1, 2009. Click HERE to view a video of Congressman Gingrey's remarks.Remarks by Congressman Phil GingreyIn memory of Specialist Ryan Charles KingMay 12, 2009

Remarks by Congressman Phil Gingrey
In memory of Specialist Ryan Charles King
May 12, 2009

Madame Speaker, today the residents of Northwest Georgia are saying goodbye to a native son who died while bravely serving his nation in Afghanistan. Specialist Ryan Charles King was killed in action on May 1, 2009 in Afghanistan when his unit came under enemy fire while on a night mission.

Last night, I joined Specialist King’s family, friends, and supporters at his visitation to honor the life of this brave soldier.

In speaking with Specialist King’s parents, I found out that he and I have a history together – I actually delivered Ryan King a little over 22 years ago on Veteran’s Day in 1986. How fitting that this brave soldier who made the ultimate sacrifice for his country was born on such a special day. We remember Ryan as a man of the highest character, whose receipt of the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, and NATO Medal are testament to the supreme sense of duty he felt to his country and his comrades.

Born in Marietta, Georgia, Ryan attended Faith Lutheran Church for many years. Ryan was a talented and spirited baseball player, leaving his mark on baseball diamonds throughout Canton, Powder Springs, and Dallas, Georgia. A few months after graduating from East Paulding County High School, Ryan King fulfilled a lifelong dream and enlisted in the Army. He went to basic training at Fort Sill in Oklahoma, followed by Advanced Individual Training at Fort Huachuca in Arizona. After completing his training, Specialist King was stationed in Korea for a year, where he met his wife, Sergeant Rachel Nicole Smith King. As a member of the Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 1st Infantry, he left for deployment to Eastern Afghanistan in July of 2008 and was scheduled to return to Fort Hood in Texas in June of 2009.

Specialist King leaves behind his wife, Sergeant King, his father, Charles King of Temple, Georgia, his mother, Candice R. King, of Decatur, Georgia, younger brothers, Tyler King of Temple, and Dante Moore of Decatur, grandparents, Dorothea King of Temple and Tommy and Nancy Roberts of Dallas, Georgia, as well as many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Madame Speaker, my prayers go out to his family, and my deepest gratitude goes out to Specialist King for his selfless sacrifice for our nation. I ask all Members to join me in honoring the distinguished memory of Specialist Ryan Charles King, and I yield back the balance of my time.