U.S. House endorses proposal to honor Eastern Iowa soldier

DES MOINES - Legislation to name the Cedar Rapids Post Office to honor an Eastern Iowa soldier killed in Afghanistan has won the approval of the U.S. House.

Legislation to name the post office the 'Sergeant First Class Terryl L. Pasker Post Office Building” was approved by voice vote April 18 with bipartisan support, according to the measure's sponsor, 1st District U.S. Rep. Rod Blum. It was co-sponsored by the other five members of the Iowa congressional delegation.

'I introduced this legislation to honor the sacrifice of Sgt. 1st Class Pasker, and for the sake of his family I am glad to see this legislation pass the House in remembrance of Sgt. Pasker and also the sacrifice and service of all those who have served our country in the military,” Blum said. 'It takes a tremendous amount of courage to put your life on the line to protect our liberty in the armed forces, and Sgt. Pasker did so without reservation.”

A native of Iowa's 1st District, Pasker enlisted in the Army in 1990 and 1995, then joined the Iowa National Guard. He deployed to Afghanistan from 2004 to 2005 and returnws in 2011 with the 334th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division. He and several others from his unit from his Guard unit mentored Afghan police and military leadership. On July 9, 2011, days before the his combat tour was to end, Pasker, 39, was killed at a checkpoint in Panjshir province, Afghanistan.

He is survived by his wife, Erica; parents, Mary and David; brother, Andrew, and two sisters, Christine and Rebecca.

'Naming this Post Office after Terryl ensures that his sacrifice will not be forgotten,” said David Pasker of Blairstown.

Here is a video of Blum's remarks on the House floor.