U.S. Rep. Phil Gingrey will enter the following remarks on the Douglas County homecoming celebration for Ron Young Jr.  into the congressional record tomorrow:

Extension of remarks

Georgia celebrates Chief Warrant Officer Ron Young Jr.

The capture of Chief Warrant Officer Ron Young Jr. by Iraqi forces terrified not only his family back in Lithia Springs, Ga., but also all the Americans watching the news clips of the POWs.

When our nation goes to war, our soldiers answer the call to sacrifice with honor. In the War on Iraq, they proved once more that they’re the greatest fighting force the world has ever known.

Yet, even with the best trained soldiers, even with the best equipment, real dangers confront our fighting men and women.

Such was the case on March 24, when the helicopter of Chief Warrant Officer Young and Chief Warrant Officer David Williams went down and they were captured by Iraqis.

For several days, the families of the captives and the American public watched the excruciating television footage of our brave soldiers being interviewed by their captors.

We could tell by the looks on their faces that they were unsure of their fates. In fact, as Ron Young recently said, death seemed to be an inevitability.

But their families held out hope. Without new information, hope was all they had.

Weeks passed with no news and hope turned to despair.

And on Palm Sunday, our despair turned to jubilation, as advancing U.S. forces liberated the POWs.

Many of us woke up that day to see the Young family celebrating Ron’s freedom.

The Young family talked of their lasting faith, of their hope. They talked of their love for Ron and their excitement over his imminent return. Mrs. Young, a day from her birthday, had her wish come true: She would, indeed, be reunited with her son.

There joy was our joy. When American soldiers face danger in the name of freedom, their compatriots rally behind them. We mourn their setbacks; we hail their victories.

We celebrate the safe return of Ron Young Jr., an American patriot and hero, to his family in Georgia.

On May 9, the people of Douglas County, Ga., will gather by the thousands to welcome home Chief Warrant Officer Young.

And we also want to say thank you to Ron Young and the thousands of other soldiers who put their lives on the line to defend their country and its people.

May God bless this country and its military.