[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 64 (Thursday, May 1, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E845]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING STAFF SERGEANT SCOTT SATHER, SERGEANT MICHAEL F. PEDERSON, 
  SPECIALIST RICHARD A. GOWARD, AND PRIVATE FIRST CLASS JASON M. MEYER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DALE E. KILDEE

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 1, 2003

  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, it is a great honor to rise before you today 
to pay tribute to the honorable service to this country and its 
citizens given by Staff Sergeant Scott Sather, Sergeant Michael F. 
Pederson, Specialist Richard A. Goward and Private First Class Jason M. 
Meyer. On May 5, members of the community will gather at a benefit 
concert given by the Carriage Town Ministries in Flint, Michigan, to 
honor Staff Sergeant Scott Sather, Sergeant Michael F. Pederson, 
Specialist Richard A. Goward and Private First Class Jason M. Meyer for 
their service to this nation.
  Staff Sergeant Sather graduated from Clio High School in 1991 where 
he excelled in baseball and football. Staff Sergeant Sather joined the 
United States Air Force in 1992 serving in Washington and England. 
During his service, Staff Sergeant Sather earned several honors, 
including a Bronze Star. Staff Sergeant Sather and his wife, Melanie, 
were married in July of 2002. Staff Sergeant Sather made the ultimate 
sacrifice for his nation on April 8, 2003 while serving in Iraq.
  Sergeant Michael F. Pederson graduated from Flint Northern High 
School in 1996. Following graduation from high school, Sergeant 
Pederson joined the United States Army where he was assigned to Hunter 
Army Airfield in Georgia. Sergeant Pederson made many achievements 
while in the Army as well as at home, where he helped support a large 
family, including his 7-year-old daughter. Sergeant Pederson made the 
ultimate sacrifice for his nation on April 2, 2003 while serving in 
Iraq.
  Specialist Richard A. Goward graduated from Merrill High School in 
1989. Following his graduation from high school, Specialist Goward 
joined the United States Army where he served from 1990 to 1996. 
Sergeant Goward married his wife, Karen, and they had two children. 
Sergeant Goward attended the Corrections Officers Training Academy and 
was employed at the St. Louis Corrections Facility until the events of 
September 11, 2001 once again called Sergeant Goward to duty and 
prompted him to enlist in the Michigan National Guard. Sergeant Goward 
made the ultimate sacrifice for his nation on April 14, 2003 while 
serving in Iraq.
  Private First Class Jason M. Meyer graduated from Howell High School 
in 1999. Following his graduation from high school, Private First Class 
Meyer joined the United States Army where he was assigned to Fort 
Stewart in Georgia. Private First Class Meyer married his wife, Melissa 
in March of 2002 and lived in Hinesville Georgia at the time of his 
deployment. Private First Class Meyer made the ultimate sacrifice for 
his nation on April 8, 2003 while serving in Iraq.
  Mr. Speaker, Staff Sergeant Sather, Sergeant Pederson, Specialist 
Goward and Private First Class Meyer are sons, they are fathers, 
husbands and friends. They are true Americans, deserving of our respect 
and gratitude not only for their devotion to the United States and its 
ideals, but for their devotion to their families, their friends and 
their communities. These men are a symbol of excellence to everyone in 
this nation, and are a shining example of the best our society has to 
offer. I ask my colleagues in the 108th Congress to please join me in 
paying tribute to these men, their families and their achievements. May 
their sacrifices to be remembered always.

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