Reed Bill to Name Rhode Island Post Office in Honor of Fallen Marine, Holly Charette to Receive Vote in House of Representatives
WASHINGTONThe U.S. House of Representatives today will vote on legislation introduced by U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) in November to name the Post Office at 57 Rolfe Square in Cranston, Rhode Island the Holly A. Charette Post Office in honor of United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Holly Charette, a Cranston resident, who was killed June 23, 2005 while serving in Iraq. Reed worked with Charettes family to develop the legislation, and plans to recognize the bills passage at the official post office naming ceremony.Charette wished to work for the U.S. Postal Service following her service in the Marine Corps. At the time of her death, Charette was serving as a military mail clerk with the Headquarters Battalion of the Second Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force.A March 14, 2005 Marine Corps press release from Camp Blue Diamond, Iraq about Charette's work stated, "For Marines and Sailors here, there may be nothing sweeter than the sound of mail call. One Marine with Headquarters Battalion makes it her mission to deliver those delightful words."Charette was quoted as saying, "I never really thought too hard about being a mail person, but it's really an important job and people depend on me. There are a lot of stresses involved, but it's really worth it at the end of the day." Charette continued, When I get out, I plan to apply to the U.S. Post Office. It won't be the same as being a Marine, but at least I'm still in uniform."Reeds bill passed the U.S. Senate on November 18, 2005. Following passage by the House of Representatives it will be sent to the President and signed into law.Following is a transcript of Reeds speech to the Senate on November 10, 2005:I rise today to pay tribute to one of Rhode Islands brave soldiers, Lance Corporal Holly A. Charette, who was killed in Iraq on June 23, 2005. In honor of her sacrifice, I am introducing a bill, along with Senator Chafee, to name the Post Office at 57 Rolfe Square in Cranston, Rhode Island, the Holly A. Charette Post Office.Twenty-one year old Holly Charette died when a suicide bomber in Fallujah attacked the military convoy in which she was riding. This was the deadliest attack on women in the U.S. military since the start of operations in Iraq, and yet another example of the violence that continues to plague our soldiers serving in this conflict. Those who were close to Holly describe her as a happy and positive young woman loved by all those who knew her. She was a cheerleader at Cranston High School East, where she worked hard in college-prep courses. Her teachers remember her as a bright, shining star.Holly had dreams of becoming a postal worker. Instead, in 2002, she made the choice to serve her nation by joining the U.S. Marine Corps.She was deployed to Iraq in March of this year with her unit from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and assigned to Headquarters, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force. It was here that Holly was able to combine her dreams of postal service with that of serving her nation. During her service in Iraq, Holly utilized her strong organizational skills to take on and complete various administrative tasks, including that of mail delivery to the troops. She became known as the Marine who brought the good news. Holly never forgot a name, and would often stop Marines in the mess hall to let them know that they had mail.The day that Holly was killed, she was working with Iraqi security forces to prevent insurgents from gaining a foothold in that country. Her tragic passing has touched the lives of Rhode Islanders. Hollys presence will be deeply missed by all those who knew and loved her. This legislation will pay proper tribute to this remarkable young woman, and commemorate her valor for future generations. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Lance Corporal Holly A. Charette by supporting this bill. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that a copy of this legislation to name the post office in Cranston after Lance Corporal Charette be included in the record.