[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 50 (Monday, April 19, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4092-S4093]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES


                        pfc chance phelps, usmc

  Mr. THOMAS. Madam President, I rise today to express our Nation's 
deepest thanks and gratitude to a special young man and his family. 
During this past recess, I attended funeral services in Dubois, WY for 
Marine PFC Chance Phelps. On April 9, 2004, Private First Class Phelps 
died in the line of duty while serving his country in the war on 
terrorism. He was shot and killed while fighting insurgents in the town 
of Ramadi, Iraq, west of Baghdad.
  Private First Class Phelps was a member of the 3rd Battalion, 11th 
Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division. He spent the early years of his 
life in Dubois, WY before moving to Colorado. He enjoyed the outdoors, 
hunting and fishing, and was an outstanding athlete. He was good 
natured, and loved his family and his country. Private First Class 
Chance had a profound sense of duty that led him to join the United 
States Marine Corps. He felt deeply compelled to serve and defend his 
country following the terrorist attacks of September 11.
  It is because of people like Chance Phelps 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.
  The motto of the Marine Corps is ``Semper Fidelis.'' It means 
``Always Faithful.'' Through his selfless and courageous sacrifice, PFC 
Chance Phelps lived up to these words with great honor.
  Private First Class Phelps is survived by his mother Gretchen, his 
father John, his sister Kelley, and his brothers of the United States 
Marine Corps. We say goodbye to a son, a brother, a Marine, and an 
American. Our Nation pays its deepest respect to PFC Chance Phelps 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 are proud of him.
  So, one Marine to another, Private First Class Phelps, Semper Fi.


                           SP4 DENNIS MORGAN

   Mr. JOHNSON. Madam President, I rise today to pay tribute to SP4 
Dennis Morgan, a member of the South Dakota National Guard, who died on 
April 15, 2004, while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
   Specialist Morgan was a member of the 153rd Engineer Batallion, 
which is based in Wagner, SD. He was helping clear mines and explosives 
when a roadside bomb went off, killing him.
   Answering America's call to the military, Specialist Morgan joined 
the National Guard immediately after graduating from Winner High School 
in 2000. He joined, along with his best friend from high school, 
Michael Lee. Their bond was special and they did everything together. 
Michael's father, Melvin, said of Dennis, ``He was often at our place, 
working on cars with Michael, and here for dinners.''
   After high school, Morgan moved back to his original hometown of 
Valentine, NE, where he sometimes worked as an auto mechanic. Shortly 
before leaving for Iraq, he married his girlfriend, Cathy.
   Specialist Morgan is the first member of the South Dakota National 
Guard to be killed in combat since World War II. Company A, which 
includes members from Wagner and Winner, was assigned to the 1st Marine 
Expedition Headquarters. Their Company is responsible for defusing 
roadside explosives. ``They were very proud of their mission, and they 
still are, because those explosive devices are what are killing 
everybody,'' said Roger Anderson, information officer was the South 
Dakota Army National Guard.
   Specialist Morgan served our country and died as a hero, fighting 
for it. He served as a model of loyalty and dedication in the 
preservation of freedom. The thoughts and prayers of my family, as well 
as our country's, are with his family during this time of mourning. Our 
thoughts continue to be with all those families who have children, 
spouses, fathers, and other loved ones serving overseas.
   Specialist Morgan led a full life, committed to his family, his 
Nation, and his community. It was his incredible dedication to helping 
others that will serve as his greatest legacy. Our Nation is a far 
better place because of Specialist Morgan's contributions, and, while 
his family, friends, and Nation will miss him very much, the best way 
to honor his life is to remember his commitment to service and his 
family.
   I join with all South Dakotans in expressing my sympathies to the 
friends and family of Specialist Morgan, I know that he will always be 
missed, but his service to our Nation will never be forgotten.


                          Pfc Deryk L. Hallal

  Mr. BAYH. Madam President, I rise today with a heavy heart and deep 
sense of gratitude to honor the life of a brave young man from 
Indianapolis, IN. PFC Deryk L. Hallal, 24 years old, died in the al-
Anbar province, just west of Baghdad on April 6, 2004. He was struck by 
gunfire during an attack.
  Deryk graduated from North Central High School in 1998 and studied 
computer programming at the Professional Careers Institute before 
joining the Marines last year, just months after the conflict in Iraq 
began. He was a rifleman assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine 
Regiment, based at Camp Pendleton, CA. According to his mother, he was 
fulfilling the duty he felt compelled to do after the events of 
September 11. With his entire life before him, Deryk chose to risk 
everything to fight for the values Americans hold close to our hearts, 
in a land halfway around the world.
  Deryk was the 27th Hoosier soldier to be killed while serving his 
country in Operation Iraqi Freedom. This brave

[[Page S4093]]

young soldier leaves behind his father, Jeff; his mother, Pam; and four 
younger siblings. May Deryk's siblings grow up knowing that their 
brother gave his life so that young Iraqis will some day know the 
freedom they enjoy.
  Today, I join Deryk's family, his friends, and the entire 
Indianapolis 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 Deryk, a memory that will burn brightly during these 
continuing days of conflict and grief.
  When looking back on the life of her late son, Deryk's mother, Pam, 
told the Indianapolis Star that her son ``was a big jokester, he would 
light up the room.'' Deryk was known for his wonderful sense of humor, 
his big heart and his love of sports. His father, Jeff, said Deryk 
dreamed of one day becoming a sports announcer. Today and always, Deryk 
will be remembered by family members, friends and fellow Hoosiers as a 
true American hero and we honor the sacrifice he made while dutifully 
serving his country.
  As I search for words to do justice in honoring Deryk'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 
     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 Deryk's actions will live on far 
longer than any record of these words.
  It is my sad duty to enter the name of Deryk L. Hallal 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 Deryk'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 off all faces.''
  May God grant strength and peace to those who mourn, and may God 
bless America.

                          ____________________