[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 97 (Monday, July 20, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1349]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E1349]]



                  SGT. DONALD WAYNE SLOVER'S SACRIFICE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. LINDA SMITH

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 20, 1998

  Mrs. LINDA SMITH of Washington. Mr. Speaker, recently, a friend 
forwarded a copy of this personal letter to us. The thoughts expressed 
in the letter hit close to home. We hope everyone can take a moment and 
reflect upon Sgt. Slover's sacrifice.

       Dear America: I am writing this letter to extend thanks to 
     all the American people who still, despite the recent 
     headlines undermining the ethnics and morality of the 
     military, understand that our jobs and way of life are 
     necessary to preserve the ``American'' way of life. I once 
     thought that ``America'' viewed us as most media portrays us; 
     immoral, unethical, and uncivilized. My recent travels led me 
     to conclude that the opposite is true. You, the American 
     people, that honor and respect what we do, deserve a public 
     ``thank you.''
       Just a few weeks ago, a tragedy embedded itself in the tall 
     evergreen forests at the Joint Readiness Training Center in 
     Fort Polk, LA. As a tank slowly slalomed through the trees 
     after sunset on January 14, 1998, the tank commander fell 
     victim to the inherent danger of the military.
       Sgt. Donald Wayne Slover passed away that night as he was 
     guiding his tank through the thickest of trees, fog, and 
     rain. The tank's edge clipped and uprooted a tree, which sent 
     it crashing to the ground. The medics, arriving on site only 
     minutes later, felt Sgt. Slover's last pulse.
       As one of two military escorts, I was required to accompany 
     the remains from the training area to the burial site, 
     ensuring the proper and unimpaired delivery to the next of 
     kin. The obligation required a two day journey from Fort 
     Hood, TX, to Williamsburg, KY, via Fort Polk, LA. Loading 
     unloading and transportation of the remains required our 
     physical presence. This particular trip entailed a three hour 
     van ride, a connecting flight in Atlanta in route to 
     Knoxville, and a 1 hour drive to Williamsburg, KY.
       Upon boarding initial flight out of Houston we informed the 
     flight attendant of our duties. After explaining that it was 
     necessary for us to depart the plane first upon landing (so 
     as not to delay the cargo personnel unloading the casket), 
     two gentlemen offered their seats in the first row of the 
     plane for out last row seats.
       This gesture left me speechless. I'm not so sure they even 
     knew our purpose for having to be first off the plane, but 
     with no questions immediately sacrificed their front row 
     seats. After arriving in Atlanta, we were escorted by airport 
     personnel off the plane and down to the tarmac. Standing in 
     our dress green uniforms, we watched as the airline employees 
     carefully unloaded the casket onto the cargo truck. The truck 
     drove off to the departing gate and we made our way back 
     inside the terminal. We met the cargo truck at the departure 
     gate and again were escorted down to the tarmac to supervise 
     the loading of our final flight. Following the loading, we 
     turned and headed back to the terminal. As we made that walk, 
     I noticed that we were being watched by the crowd awaiting 
     the outbound flight. Not thinking much about it at the time, 
     I scurried out of the cold and awaited the boarding call.
       We boarded the plane and again informed the flight 
     attendant of our duties and departure requirements. The 
     flight was booked, every seat filled, and she told us that 
     she would make an announcement upon landing that we were to 
     exit the place first.
       Having been on full flights before, I was certain that this 
     announcement would be ignored. Passengers are normally elbow 
     deep in the overhead compartments as soon as the wheels touch 
     the ground. I was 100% positive I would be the last person 
     off that flight. But I took my seat in the back of the plane, 
     my partner 10 rows in front, and with all of my military 
     skills tried to devise a plan that could project me to the 
     front of that plane upon landing. I concluded that even 
     generals would have a rough time planning such an operation.
       As the plane touched down in Knoxville, the flight 
     attendant gave the standard ``keep your seat-belts fastened 
     until the captain turns off the seat-belt sign'' 
     announcement. She then led into the fact that two military 
     escorts were on-board and that everyone must remain in their 
     seats until we departed the plane. The plane parked and to my 
     astonishment, not a soul moved. I'd never witnessed such 
     absolute silence in my life.
       Many of the passengers turned their heads to the rear of 
     the plane but not a sound was made as myself and the other 
     escort donned our jackets, grabbed our bags, and headed down 
     the aisle. I realized then that all eyes were on us. As we 
     neared the exit an older gentleman leaned toward us and broke 
     the silence with something I will never forget, ``God bless 
     you both,'' he said. I am, sir, most truly blessed. I have 
     been afforded the opportunity to work alongside some of the 
     greatest sons and daughters of our nation.
       We know and understand that each day presents the 
     possibility of injury and/or death and we take all 
     precautions to prevent them. But we sacrifice that 
     possibility because you depend on us. We train through the 
     roughest of conditions, with minimum sleep and limited 
     resources, anywhere at anytime, to ensure we are always 
     ready. We, sir, are most honored that you entrust us to 
     defend your country.
       So I'm writing this letter to say thanks. Thank you Delta 
     Airlines, thank you gentlemen for your seats, thank you sir 
     for your blessings, and thank you America for your support. 
     You see . . . we as soldiers don't expect you to understand 
     the ways in which we live, train, and fight; we just ask for 
     a thank you from time to time. A little appreciation from the 
     people we're defending weighs more than a chestful of awards 
     and medals.
       Sgt. Donald Wayne Slover gave his life training to defend 
     the very code of morality and ethics he exemplified and 
     believed in. Sgt. Slover believed in the Army and his 
     country. I worked alongside Sgt. Slover for over a year. He 
     was good at his job and he loved it. He never complained and 
     always did what was asked of him. Sgt. Slover always 
     maintained the courage of his convictions. I hope he laid to 
     rest knowing he was appreciated. If not, we failed as a 
     nation and we owe it to him.
       Sgt. Slover . . . thank you! You will be missed!

                                                Daniel Ashley,

                                                     1-10 Cavalry:
                                                READY AND FORWARD.

     

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