[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 138 (Thursday, October 2, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S12364]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES

  Mr. DODD. Mr. President, it is with a heavy heart that I rise to 
speak in memory of U.S. Army Sgt Travis Friedrich, of Naugatuck, CT, 
who was killed fighting for his country in Iraq on Saturday, September 
20. He was 26 years old.
  Like so many of our brave men and women who are serving overseas 
today, Sgt Friedrich was a reservist. He was a graduate student at the 
University of New Haven, working on his degree in forensic science, and 
was also working full-time as a laboratory technician in Waterbury.
  When he was summoned to active duty in January, he left behind family 
and friends who loved him, and a promising education and career. But 
Sgt Friedrich answered his country's call and he did so in exemplary 
fashion.
  Sgt Friedrich grew up in Hammond, NY, and was a shining star in both 
academics and athletics. He graduated from Brockport State College, 
majoring in chemistry and criminal justice, and came to Connecticut 3 
years ago with dreams of becoming an investigator in law enforcement. 
Tragically, it was a dream he would not live to fulfill.
  Everyone who knew Travis Friedrich said that he represented the best 
of the American armed forces and, indeed, the best of America. His 
friends remembered his sense of humor, and his leadership as co-captain 
of his college crew team. He also had a tremendous work ethic whether 
he was on the field of battle, in a classroom, or on the job. And he 
loved his family and friends, just as he loved his country.
  When people like Travis Friedrich make the decision to enlist in our 
armed forces, they do so knowing that one day, they could be called 
upon to make profound sacrifices--and possibly the ultimate sacrifice--
for this nation, and the values and freedoms that we represent.
  That's not an easy decision to make, but for an individual with the 
courage and the integrity of Travis Friedrich, it was a natural one. 
``Wherever I go,'' Sergeant Friedrich once said, ``I want to do my 
share.'' He did his share, and much, much more.
  I salute Travis Friedrich for his bravery, his heroism, and his 
service to his country. I offer my most sincere condolences to his 
parents, David and Elizabeth, and to all of his friends and family.
  Mr. THOMAS. Mr. President, I rise today to express our Nation's 
deepest thanks and gratitude to a young man and his family from Casper, 
WY. On September 23rd, 2003, Cpt Robert L. Lucero was killed in the 
line of duty in Iraq. While searching a building in Tikrit, Captain 
Lucero was fatally wounded by an explosive device that took his life 
and injured another soldier.
  Captain Lucero was a member of the Wyoming National Guard, and was 
the very model of the citizen soldier. He was a vibrant young man who 
loved being outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He loved his 
family and his country. Captain Lucero had a profound sense of duty and 
felt a strict obligation to his country and his job as an American 
soldier.
  It is because of people such as Captain Lucero that we continue to 
live safe and secure. America's men and women who answer the call of 
service and wear our Nation's uniform deserve respect and recognition 
for the enormous burden that they willingly bear. Our people put 
everything on the line everyday, and because of these folks, our Nation 
remains free and strong in the face of danger.
  Captain Lucero is survived by his wife Sherry and his mother Lois 
Ann, as well as many family and friends. We way good bye to a son, a 
husband, a brother, a soldier, and an American. Our Nation pays its 
deepest respect to Cpt Robert L. Lucero for his courage, his love of 
country and his sacrifice, so that we may remain free. He was a hero in 
life and he remains a hero in death. All of Wyoming, and indeed the 
entire Nation was proud of him.

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