this is lance corp. yal michael d shuls killed in iraq when i was there. this picture is from afghanistan. it's an interesting fact because the book takes place in iraq. another neat thing is you see where it's blurred out, those were mountains. iraq doesn't have mountains, so we took those out of the photo. i was actually -- i can't know who this gentleman was on the cover. even after the book came out, i didn't know who it was, so i flipped up the jacket because i got a question about who it was. i decided stop being lazy, get up off your but and figure it out. i turned to the jacket and looked him up on the internet, sent him a note and said your photo is on the cover of my book. who is he? he sent me a note about him and mike were good friends in afghanistan, how he got to know him very well, got to know his fiance and their child, and then he informed me mike went back to the iraq and was killed, and that he knew his family, and so that was really moving for me because this book is about what the marines in anbar province sacrificed their lives for. t

lance corporal crouse's awards and decorations include the marine corps good conduct medal, national defense service medal, afghanistan campaign medal and the global war on terrorism service medal. mr. stutzman: lance corporal crouse is survived by his mother and step-father of fort wayne. his brothers, nathan and ryan, and his sisters. after quickly being promoted to lance corporal, lance corporal crouse selflessly gave his life in the service to defend our country's freedom in support of operation enduring freedom. my heart goes out to his family and i want to express my deepest gratitude to both of them, to them both for the sacrifice they have made for our nation. and i yield back my type. -- time. the speaker pro tempore: are there further one-minute requests? the chair lays before the house the following personal requests. the clerk: leaves of absence requested for mr. hunter of california for today, mr. austria of ohio for friday, january 7, and ms. mccollum of minnesota for today. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. the requests are granted. for what purpose does the g