[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 23 (Wednesday, March 6, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S1594]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO PFC MATTHEW COMMONS

  Mr. ENSIGN. Madam President, I rise to speak of a brave young 
nevadan, PFC Matthew Commons, who was killed in combat in Afghanistan. 
I am humbled and grateful that he was willing to make the ultimate 
sacrifice to preserve our freedom.
  For he is one of the noble soldiers of whom Thomas Jefferson spoke 
when he warned that ``the tree of liberty must be refreshed from time 
to time, with the blood of patriots and tyrants.''
  In doing his duty for God and country, he gave up all so that we 
could grow and thrive and learn and love in the greatest Nation in the 
world.
  He is our fallen hero. A grateful Nation should never forget, he had 
family, friends, and plans for the future. He was just 21 years of age, 
old enough to dedicate his life to protecting our country, but too 
young to have a family of his own.
  His mother told me that one of the hardest burdens she now has to 
bear is the knowledge she will never get to hold Matthew's children.
  Matthew was an all-American kid, growing up in Boulder City. He ran 
track and played soccer at Boulder City High. He was elected secretary 
of his senior class.
  On September 11, al-Qaida terrorists attacked the United States.
  On March 4, Matthew Commons sought to make sure that would never 
happen again.
  He died to make sure that no American was left behind at the mercy of 
al-Qaida. His mission was a success. And his fellow soldiers endured 
heavy fire so that he, too, ultimately would come home from the front.
  In fighting for our Nation, he ensured that we would be free.
  In dying, he left in his wake the grief of those who knew and loved 
him, including his mother, Patricia Marek and his father, Greg Commons.
  God bless you, Matthew Commons.
  And God bless America.
  Would the senior Senator from Nevada like to make some comments?
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The senior Senator from Nevada.
  Mr. REID. Madam President, I certainly applaud my colleague from 
Nevada for making his heart-felt statement. I am not much for calling 
people when there is a tragedy. I tend to write letters. It is 
difficult for me to speak to people upon the loss of a loved one 
because it brings back memories of those loved ones of mine I have 
lost. So I normally just write a letter.
  But I thought it was appropriate yesterday, when I learned about the 
death of Matthew, that I call and speak to the parents; and I did that. 
Certainly, it was not a pleasant call in the sense that you call and 
talk to grieving parents, but it was a call I will never forget.
  His mother asked me if I would write her a letter. I said I would be 
happy to. She said: The reason I want the letter is because I will have 
that to refer to. I will not have my son anymore. And she broke down 
and cried a little bit about that.
  As I just indicated, I talked to his mom, Patricia, who lives in Las 
Vegas. I also talked to his dad, Gregory. Gregory, as do most fathers, 
put up a very brave front during the first part of our conversation. 
Like all dads, toward the end of it, his emotions got the best of him. 
He shed a few tears, I know. I could tell by his voice that he was 
crying on the other end of the line.
  I talked to him about Matthew's brothers. Matthew had three brothers. 
Matthew was the oldest. And his dad said: Matthew always looked out for 
his brothers, that if anyone tried, in any way, to get the better of 
his little brothers, he was always standing there making sure that they 
did not.
  And I said to Mr. Commons: You have to explain to your sons that they 
have a great example to live up to because their brother gave his life 
for our country.
  So I was saddened to see that one of those who died was from Bolder 
City, NV. As indicated in the Washington paper today, in their comments 
about his death, Matthew was the youngest of those who were killed, but 
the parents and the wives of the other men who were killed are grieving 
just as Matthew's parents, no matter where they live in this great 
country of ours.
  But I do say that as a result of the courageous act of Matthew, who 
was actually going to the aid of one of his comrades, we are going to 
win the war on terrorism--because there are people all over America 
today like Matthew Commons willing to give their lives for their 
country.

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