Washington, D.C. - U.S. Congressman Kevin Brady (R-Texas) met this week in Washington with Mrs. Larraine McGee of Huntsville, Texas, mother of Staff Sergeant Christopher Everett who was fatally injured in Iraq in 2005. His death came while washing down a Humvee with a power washer that was improperly grounded.  Mrs. McGee is testifying before a Senate hearing about the unnecessary death of her eldest son to call attention to a threat which continues to plague the military.
 
To date 10 American soldiers, one Marine and two U.S. contractors have been killed, and scores more injured, due to faulty electrical systems on military bases in Iraq and Afghanistan that were improperly constructed or maintained.

Brady sent a strongly worded letter to Robert Gates, Secretary of the Department of Defense, urging the Pentagon to expedite all congressional requests for information concerning the matter, and asking for an accounting of steps that have been taken, or are underway, to inspect and correct poorly grounded equipment in military facilities in Iraq and Afghanistan.
 
“To lose one American soldier due to faulty grounding is unacceptable. To lose many more is simply unforgivable,” said Brady. “I am extremely proud of Mrs. McGee for having the courage to travel to Washington to tell the nation about her son’s death and the need to prevent any more lives from being lost, especially when it is preventable.”
 
Thinking this was the first death by electrocution of a soldier in Iraq, Mrs. McGee initially interpreted the death as an accident. However, Mrs. McGee was horrified to find that there have been at least 13 similar fatal accidents and many more injuries. She and her husband Alton have spent the week on Capitol Hill telling her story to members of the House and Senate.

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Background: Staff Sergeant Everett was assigned to the Army National Guard's 2nd Battalion, 112th Armor Regiment, 56th Brigade Combat Team, Arlington, Texas. He died on September 7, 2005 at the age of 23.

Congressman Brady Hears Story of Staff Sgt. Everett’s Death from his Mother Larraine McGee and Husband Alton McGee in his Washington, D.C. office.