[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 131 (Tuesday, September 23, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S11829]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES

  Mr. BAYH. Mr. President, I rise today with a heavy heart and deep 
sense of gratitude to honor the life of a brave young man from 
Hagerstown, IN. Staff Sergeant Frederick L. Miller, Jr., 27 years old, 
was killed in Ar Ramadi on September 20, 2003 when an explosive device 
hit his vehicle while he was on security patrol. Frederick joined the 
Army with his entire life before him. He chose to risk everything to 
fight for the values Americans hold close to our hearts, in a land 
halfway around the world.
  Frederick was the sixteenth Hoosier soldier to be killed while 
serving his country in Operation Iraqi Freedom. He leaves behind his 
parents, Ann and Frederick Miller, his wife, Jamie, and two daughters, 
Haley and Sierra. Jamie is pregnant with the couple's third child, a 
boy. Today, I join Frederick's family, his friends, and the entire 
Hagerstown community in mourning his death. While we struggle to bear 
our sorrow over his death, we can also take pride in the example he 
set, bravely fighting to make the world a safer place. It is this 
courage and strength of character that people will remember when they 
think of Frederick, a memory that will burn brightly during these 
continuing days of conflict and grief.
  Frederick L. Miller, Jr., joined the Army after graduating from 
Richmond High School in 1994 and would have marked his eighth year of 
military service next month. He commanded a Bradley Fighting Vehicle in 
Troop K in the 3rd Squadron of the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment. Before 
Iraq, he served in combat zones in Kosovo, Yugoslavia and Bosnia. 
Frederick was discharged after his first tour of duty, but chose to re-
enlist after the September 11 attacks. His family remembers him as a 
true American hero, who returned to the Army during our Nation's most 
trying time because he felt bound by duty, and today, we honor the 
sacrifice he made while serving his country.
  As I search for words to do justice in honoring Frederick L. Miller, 
Jr.'s sacrifice, I am reminded of President Lincoln's remarks as he 
addressed the families of the fallen soldiers in Gettysburg: ``We 
cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate, we cannot hallow his ground. The 
brave men, living and dead, who struggled here have consecrated it far 
above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note nor 
long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did 
there.'' This statement is just as true today as it was nearly 150 
years ago, as I am certain that the impact of Frederick's actions will 
live on far longer than any record of these words.
  It is my sad duty to enter the name of Frederick L. Miller, Jr. in 
the official record of the United States Senate for his service to this 
country and for his profound commitment to freedom, democracy and 
peace. When I think about this just cause in which we are engaged, and 
the unfortunate pain that comes with the loss of our heroes, I hope 
that families like Frederick's can find comfort in the words of the 
prophet Isaiah who said, ``He will swallow up death in victory; and the 
Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces.''
  May God grant strength and peace to those who mourn, and may God 
bless the United States of America.

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