[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 39 (Thursday, March 25, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3172-S3173]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES


                    SPECIALIST CHRISTOPHER E. HUDSON

  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 Carmel, 
IN. Specialist Christopher Hudson, 21 years old, died in Abu Ghraib, 
just west of Baghdad, on March 21, 2004, during an attack when the 
Humvee he was riding in was struck by an improvised explosive device.
  After joining the Army in November of 2002, Chris was assigned to the 
2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division based in 
Fort Hood, TX. Chris served as a gunner during his deployment, which 
began when his unit joined the efforts in Iraq one year ago. With his 
entire life before him, Chris chose to risk everything to fight for the 
values Americans hold close to our hearts, In a land halfway around the 
world.
  Chris was the twenty-fifth Hoosier soldier to be killed while serving 
his country in Operation Iraqi Freedom. This brave young soldier leaves 
behind his father; his mother, Sally; his wife, Michelle; his 1-year-
old son, Gavon; and 3-year-old daughter, Veronika. May Chris' children 
grow up knowing that their father gave his life so that young Iraqis 
will some day know the freedom they enjoy.
  Today, I join Chris' family, his friends, and the entire Carmel 
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 his courage and 
strength of character that people will remember when they think of 
Chris, a memory that will burn brightly during these continuing days of 
conflict and grief.
  When looking back on the life of her late husband, Chris' wife 
Michelle told the Indianapolis Star that he ``was proud to defend his 
country . . . His family loves him, misses him and is very proud of 
him.'' Today and always, Chris will be remembered by family members, 
friends and fellow Hoosiers as a true American hero, and we honor the 
sacrifice he made while serving his country.
  As I search for words to do justice in honoring Chris' sacrifice, I 
am reminded of President Lincoln's remarks

[[Page S3173]]

as he addressed the families of the fallen soldiers in Gettysburg: ``We 
cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate, we cannot hallow this 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 here.'' This statement is just as true today as it was nearly 
150 years ago, as I am certain that the impact of Chris' actions will 
live on far longer than any record of these words.
  It is my sad duty to enter the name of Christopher E. Hudson 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 Chris' 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 off all faces.''
  May God grant strength and peace to those who mourn, and may Gold 
bless America.

                          ____________________