[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 63 (Wednesday, April 30, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S5533]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES

  Mr. LIEBERMAN. Mr. President, I rise to pay tribute to the second 
fallen son of Connecticut in the war against Saddam Hussein's regime in 
Iraq: Marine CPL Kemaphoom ``Ahn'' Chanawongse, 1st Battalion, 2nd 
Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, United States Marine 
Corps, who was killed in an ambush outside of Nasiriyah, Iraq, on March 
23rd, 2003. This brave young man was just 22 when he lost his life.
  Corporal Chanawongse had been listed as missing in action for 3 
weeks: three weeks of what I can only imagine was, for his family, a 
time of unimaginable uncertainty and trepidation. We can only hope that 
the news of their son's death has given the Corporal's family some 
sense of closure, and an opportunity to come to terms with his passing 
with God's help and the help of their friends.
  Corporal Chanawongse was not the first to fall for his country in 
Iraq, and sadly, it is safe to say that his death will not be the last. 
Nonetheless it is important for us to honor each of the fallen in their 
own right: to say, ``these few gave their lives so that many could live 
without fear.'' There is no greater measure of compassion than the 
sacrifice that Corporal Chanawongse and his fallen brothers- and 
sisters-in-arms made. In the stories of the fallen soldiers we will 
learn more about the stuff that this country is made of and the values 
on which it is built. It is our duty as Americans, and as citizens of 
the world who believe in freedom, to always remember their names, their 
faces, and their stories.
  This young man and his family came to the United States when he was 8 
years old, and they settled in the wonderful town of Waterford, CT. Ahn 
graduated from Waterford High School in 1999 and joined the Marines 
shortly thereafter. It is a story similar to the stories of countless 
other young men and women who choose to serve their country for the 
chance to be a part of something greater than themselves; for a chance 
to build a noble life for themselves and the children they might 
someday have; for a chance to join a select brotherhood and sisterhood 
that has, throughout history, responded to our country's call and the 
call of others in danger and distress around the world.
  I extend my deepest condolences to Corporal Chanawongse's mother, Tan 
Patchem, his stepfather, Paul Patchem, and his older brother, Awe. I 
tell you plainly that I am humbled by your family's sacrifice, and I am 
honored to pay tribute to your son in this Chamber today.
  Paul, Tan, and Awe, our prayers are with you in this difficult time.

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