[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 80 (Tuesday, June 3, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7227-S7228]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES


              In Memoriam of Army Specialist Ryan P. Long

  Mr. CARPER. Mr. President, It is with a heavy heart that I request a 
few moments today to reflect on the life of Army SP Ryan P. Long. In 
life, Ryan epitomized the best of our country's brave men and women who 
fought to free the Iraqi people. He exhibited unwavering courage, 
dutiful service to his country, and above all else, honor. In the way 
he lived his life--and how we remember him--Ryan reminds each of us how 
good we can be.
  Following in the footsteps of his father, grandfather and great-
grandfather, Ryan joined the Army in September of 1999. He was 
stationed at Fort Benning, GA with the A Company 3rd Battalion-75th 
Ranger Regiment and was assigned to a special operations unit working 
in Iraq. He was on his third overseas deployment with the Ranger 
battalion.
  A lifelong resident of Seaford, DE, Ryan's passing has deeply 
affected the Sussex County community. Ryan was a remarkable and well-
respected young man. His friends and family remember him as an 
honorable man with a free spirit. Ryan attended Seaford Elementary 
School and was a 1999 graduate of Seaford High School. Fun-loving and 
outgoing, he played on the soccer and golf teams and served as vice-
commander of the Navy Junior ROTC program at Seaford High School. He 
was also actively involved in his Catholic church. In addition, Ryan 
enjoyed riding his motorcycles, snowboarding, and listening to music.
  I rise today to commemorate Ryan, to celebrate his life, and to offer 
his family our support. Ryan dedicated his life to serving our country 
and gave his life defending its values.

[[Page S7228]]

             In Memoriam of Marine Sergeant Brian McGinnis

  Mr. President, I would like to set aside a few moments today to 
reflect on the life of Marine Sgt Brian McGinnis. Brian epitomized the 
best of our country's brave men and women who fought to free Iraq and 
to secure a new democracy in the Middle East. He exhibited unwavering 
courage, dutiful service to his country, and above all else, honor. In 
the way he lived his life--and how we remember him--Brian reminds each 
of us how good we can be.
  A Delawarean who dreamed of becoming a marine from a young age, he 
wrote on his application to Caravel Academy that he wanted to attend 
the U.S. Naval Academy and become a Navy pilot. Brian's dream came true 
in 1998 in many respects when he joined the Marines. He subsequently 
was assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 169 based out 
of Marine Corps Air Station at Camp Pendleton, CA.
  Raised in St. Georges, DE, and in neighboring New Jersey, Brian 
attended Caravel Academy and graduated from William Penn High School in 
1997. There he was a star wrestler and football player. It was at 
William Penn that he met his wife of 4 years, Megan Mahoney McGinnis. 
Megan describes her husband as a great person with a good heart--``the 
best there was!''
  I rise today to commemorate Brian, to celebrate his life, and to 
offer his family our support and our deepest sympathy on their tragic 
loss.

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