Meek: America Mourns the Death of Petty Officer Nathan Bruckenthal

Coast Guard Petty Officer Killed in Iraq
Had Served At Air Station Miami at Opa Locka Airport

WASHINGTON, DC—U.S. Rep. Kendrick B. Meek issued the following statement in response to the death of U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Nathan Bruckenthal:

“My heart goes out to the wife and family of Petty Officer Nathan Bruckenthal. Petty Officer Nathan Bruckenthal was only 24 years of age when died from injuries he sustained in a deadly terrorist suicide bombing last Saturday at the Kwar Al Amaya Oil Terminal in the Northern Arabian Gulf. Two U.S. Navy sailors were also killed in this attack.

“Before his deployment in Iraq, Petty Officer Bruckenthal was stationed at Air Station Miami at Opa Locka Airport, in my Congressional district. He and his wife had their home together in nearby Ft. Lauderdale.

“Our brave men and women in the U.S. Coast Guard have long fought alongside our other members of the U.S. Armed Forces, but this is the first combat death our Coast Guard has faced since the Vietnam War.

“My heartfelt condolences go out to the family of Petty Officer Bruckenthal and to the families of the Navy sailors mortally wounded in this cowardly terrorist assault.”

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