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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. James E. Casorio, Jr. |
  
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Pa. House honors local soldier with resolution
HARRISBURG, June 17 – The Pennsylvania House of Representatives today unanimously adopted a resolution (H.R. 782) introduced by state Rep. James E. Casorio Jr., D-Westmoreland, honoring the life of Special Agent Staff Sgt. David A. Wieger, who was killed in Iraq on Nov. 1, 2007.
Wieger, a native of North Huntingdon Township, was killed along with two other men while returning from an intelligence assignment for the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations when their convoy hit an improvised explosive device near the Balad Air Base north of Baghdad. Wieger was 28 years old.
In remarks prior to the House adopting the resolution, Casorio said he was proud to honor Wieger because of his service and sacrifice for the nation, and also because he was a law-enforcement officer.
"Sergeant Wieger's dream had always been to protect and serve," Casorio said, describing how Wieger studied criminal justice at Westmoreland County Community College before enlisting in the U.S. Air Force, where he was performing federal intelligence and law enforcement duties in Iraq. "When his initial commitment to the U.S. Air Force had been fulfilled, he re-enlisted in order to continue serving his nation and protecting the country and the family members and friends that he loved."
Casorio also offered condolences to Wieger's family – his father and mother Michael and Lori, an older brother Michael and Michael's wife, Brenda -- who were in the House chamber for the vote on the resolution.
"On behalf of the entire Pennsylvania House of Representatives, and the people of Pennsylvania, I want to offer my condolences to them, and my appreciation for the values they instilled in their son: honor, commitment, courage and duty," Casorio said. "These values were constantly on display as Sergeant Wieger served, and ultimately sacrificed his life, for his country."
Wieger, who received the Bronze Star, was a 1997 graduate of Norwin High School. He was serving his first tour of duty in Iraq.
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