[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 169 (Thursday, November 20, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2358]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING OUR FALLEN HEROES STAFF SGT. LINCOLN HOLLINSAID, CAPT. RYAN 
                     BEAUPRE AND PVT. SHAWN PAHNKE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JERRY WELLER

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 19, 2003

  Mr. WELLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the heroic actions 
of three service members from the 11th Congressional District of 
Illinois who gave the ultimate sacrifice of their life to the defense 
of our Nation. Army Staff Sgt. Lincoln Hollinsaid of Malden, Marine 
Capt. Ryan Beaupre of St. Anne and Army Pvt. Shawn Pahnke of Manhattan 
each served proudly and bravely.
  Today, I am introducing legislation to honor their sacrifice by 
naming each of their hometown post offices in their name and I urge my 
colleagues to support these bills.
  The Malden, Illinois post office would be named after Army Staff Sgt. 
Lincoln Hollinsaid, age 27. Staff Sgt. Hollinsaid was an engineer with 
the U.S. Army Third Infantry Division. He was killed April 7, 2003 
while operating a crane to help clear a path allowing U.S. Army forces 
to penetrate the grounds of the Bagdad Airport and capture this key 
facility. Lincoln loved fishing, four-wheeling in his truck and was 
also a self taught guitar player.
  The St. Anne, Illinois post office would be named after Marine Capt. 
Ryan Beaupre, age 30. Capt. Beaupre was a helicopter pilot with the 
U.S. First Marine Expeditionary Force. He was killed March 20, 2003 
while piloting a CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter in Kuwait, nine miles from 
the border with Iraq. Ryan enjoyed competing in cross-country and 
track. He was also a volunteer at ``Home-Sweet-Home'' mission, a 
homeless shelter and transitional housing program.
  The Manhattan, Illinois post office would be named after Army Pvt. 
Shawn Pahnke, age 25. Pvt. Pahnke was a main battle tank crewman with 
the U.S. Army First Armored Division's First Brigade. He was killed 
June 16, 2003 while patrolling Baghdad in a Humvee. Shawn enjoyed 
playing baseball. He was also a husband and a father of a new born son.
  Naming the Malden, St. Anne and Manhattan post offices after these 
brave soldiers is a fitting tribute to remember each of their lives, 
their service and the sacrifices of their families and their 
communities.
  When we lose a soldier, it is a terrible loss for their families and 
for our Nation. Hardships are also felt by every family of those who 
are abroad who not only miss their loved ones, but may be having a 
difficult time making ends meet. The members of the armed forces are 
giving greatly to defend and protect our Nation, and we owe them an 
enormous debt of gratitude.
  America's soldiers serve our country with honor. I hope that you will 
join me in honoring these soldiers who gave so much to our country.
  On a personal note, my heart and prayers go out to all those who have 
sacrificed for this ongoing war on terror, and I urge my colleagues to 
support these fitting bills.

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