Quigley Speaks in Honor of Marine Lance Corporal Nickolas Daniels
"Mister Speaker, today I rise with a heavy heart to honor and recognize Marine Lance Corporal Nickolas Daniels.
Lance Corporal Daniels of Elmwood Park, Illinois was tragically killed November 5th at the age of 25 while on patrol in the Helmand province of Afghanistan.
I want to pass on my deepest condolences to Nick's family and those who knew him, and share with them the thanks of a grateful nation.
Nick attended Elmwood Elementary School and graduated from St. Patrick High School in 2004 where he was an all-conference linebacker in football.
Mr. Daniels, after going back to St. Pat's to coach football, joined the Marines in 2010 to help achieve his goal of one day becoming a police officer.
Nick was well-known and respected throughout the St. Pat's community. He was a very funny, light-hearted person, who would do anything for those around him.
Not only was Nick a dedicated Coach, but most importantly to him he was a loving son and grandson, an incredible mentor to his younger sister and brothers, and a loving and devoted fiancé.
I've been told that Nick poured his heart into everything he did and always wanted to make sure his friends and family were taken care of.
A decorated Marine receiving multiple citations, and a role model in his community, Nickolas Daniels was, and will remain, a shining example of the best this country has to offer.
We can never repay Nick or his family for what they have given to this Country, but his sacrifice will forever be remembered by those he fought to protect.
As I thought about what to say today, I realized the inadequacy of words in any such effort. I was reminded that this feeling was shared by an American President who attempted to console a family that had lost five sons in battle during the Civil War.
But he captured the essence of the loss as he wrote, 'I feel how weak and fruitless must be any word of mine which attempt to beguile you from the loss the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save. I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the alter of freedom. Yours very sincerely and respectfully, Abraham Lincoln.'
