[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 74 (Monday, May 19, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S6612]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES

  Mr. GREGG. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to a special 
person, Private First Class Andrew Stevens of Stratham, NH.
  Andrew joined the United States Army after graduating from Exeter 
High School in 2001. He completed basic training and advanced 
individual training at Fort Benning, GA, and served proudly as an 
infantryman in Charlie Company of the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry 
Regiment, 10th Mountain Division, Light, United States Army. His awards 
include the Basic Marksmanship Qualification Badge, Expert Infantry 
Badge, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army 
Service Ribbon, and the Army Meritorious Service Medal.
  Tragically, on March 10, 2003, this young soldier, only 20 years old, 
gave the last full measure for our Nation when he and 10 comrades 
perished in the crash of their UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter during a 
training mission in the woods of Fort Drum, NY.
  Patriots from the State of New Hampshire have served our Nation with 
honor and distinction from Bunker Hill to Iraq--and Andrew served in 
that fine tradition. Daniel Webster said, ``God grants liberty only to 
those who love it, and are always ready to guard and defend it.'' 
Andrew was one of those proud and dedicated volunteers who chose to 
serve our Nation and guard our precious liberty, and for that we will 
always owe our sincere gratitude.
  The sudden death of a young person is especially difficult for family 
and friends. In November 1864, President Abraham Lincoln was informed 
by the War Department of a mother who had lost five sons in the Civil 
War. He wrote the mother:

       I feel how weak and fruitless must be any word of mine 
     which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss 
     so overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering you the 
     consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic 
     they died to save.
       I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of 
     your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of 
     the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours 
     to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.

  Family, friends, and fellow soldiers will no longer be able to enjoy 
the company of Private First Class Andrew Stevens. Strangers will never 
have the opportunity to know his friendship. Yet memories of this young 
patriot will last forever with those who were fortunate enough to have 
had the opportunity to know him. May God bless Andrew Stevens.
  Mr. President, I also rise today to pay tribute to a special person, 
SFC William J. Tracy, who grew up in Weare, and Webster, NH.
  William joined the U.S. Marine Corps after graduating from Merrimack 
Valley High School in Penacook in 1993. He served as a field artillery 
fire controlman for 4 years and completed his enlistment as a corporal 
in April 1999.
  Subsequently, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and attended the Utility 
Helicopter Maintainers Course at Fort Eustis, VA. There he earned his 
wings, and proudly became an air crewmember. Immediately afterwards, he 
was assigned to the 5th Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment in 
Giebelstadt, Germany. In 3 years there, he deployed six times and 
logged over 500 hours flying. In October 2002, William extended 
overseas and moved to his sister unit, B Company, of the 5th Battalion, 
158th Aviation Regiment, in Aviano, Italy. In January 2003, he departed 
for Kuwait as part of the 11th Aviation Task Force.
  In his U.S. Army career, he received the Army Achievement Medal, 
National Defense Service Ribbon, and the Good Conduct Medal. He was 
qualified as expert on the M9 semiautomatic pistol and on the 
helicopter-mounted M60 machine gun.
  Tragically, on February 25, 2003, this young soldier, 1 day short of 
his 28th birthday, gave the last full measure for our Nation when he, 
and three crewmembers, perished in the crash of their UH-60 Black Hawk 
helicopter in the Kuwaiti desert. Their helicopter crashed 30 miles 
northwest of Kuwait City during night exercises.
  Patriots from the State of New Hampshire have served our Nation with 
honor and distinction from Bunker Hill to Iraq--and William served in 
that fine tradition. Daniel Webster said: ``God grants liberty only to 
those who love it, and are always ready to guard and defend it.'' 
William was one of those proud and dedicated volunteers who chose to 
serve our Nation and guard our precious liberty, and for that we will 
always owe our sincere gratitude.
  The sudden death of a young person is especially difficult for family 
and friends. In November 1864, President Abraham Lincoln was informed 
by the War Department of a mother who had lost five sons in the Civil 
War. He wrote the mother:

       I feel how weak and fruitless must be any word of mine 
     which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss 
     so overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering you the 
     consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic 
     they died to save.
       I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of 
     your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of 
     the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours 
     to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.

  Family, friends, and fellow soldiers will no longer be able to enjoy 
the company of SFC William Tracy. Strangers will never have the 
opportunity to know his friendship. Yet memories of this young patriot 
will last forever with those who were fortunate enough to have had the 
opportunity to know him. May God bless William Tracy.

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