[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 72 (Thursday, May 20, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5937-S5938]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES


                 Petty Officer 2nd Class Trace Dossett

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I would like to pay tribute to Petty 
Officer 2nd Class Trace Dossett who valiantly gave his life for his 
country on Sunday, May 2, 2004. Petty Officer Dossett was one of five 
Navy Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 14 killed during 
a mortar attack on the Ramadi Marine base in Iraq. I offer my deepest 
sympathy to his wife, Angela, their two daughters, Cassidie and Raimi, 
and his parents, Larry and Cheryl of Wapello, IA.
  Petty Officer Dossett was a 1985 graduate of Wapello High School in 
Wapello, IA. He was respected in the community for his strong mind and 
sense of devotion to serve our country. Trace joined the Navy shortly 
after graduating from high school and ended his six year tour in the 
early 1990s. He joined the Naval Reserve a year ago and was activated 
in January. I am proud of the patriotism displayed by Petty Officer 
Trace Dossett and his exemplary commitment to defending America. I 
offer my condolences to his family and close with the words of his 
wife, ``Trace died a hero and he would have had it no other way.''


                       PFC Brandon Chauncy Sturdy

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to PFC 
Brandon Chauncy Sturdy, the fourteenth Iowan to be killed in Iraq in 
brave service to our country. PFC Sturdy was a machine gunner in the 
2nd Battalion of the 1st Marine Regiment in the 1st Marine Division. I 
offer my deepest sympathy to his parents, Shelly Rivera and David 
Sturdy and his fiance, Tricia Johnson.
  PFC Sturdy was killed by the explosion of a homemade bomb in Iraq on 
Thursday, May 13 in the Al Anbar Province near Fallujah. I thank him 
for his patriotic duty to his country and am proud to honor the courage 
he boldly displayed as a Marine. PFC Sturdy was a 2003 graduate of 
Urbandale High School in Urbandale, IA. A statement released by 
Brandon's family describes him as ``the best of the best'' who ``set 
the bar high for us to reach for''. He was a top notch Marine who had 
already been awarded the

[[Page S5938]]

National Defense Medal and a Purple Heart. Brandon Sturdy died a hero 
fighting to preserve freedom. He was a brave patriot whose presence 
will be missed. I am proud of the model of service he provided to 
Iowans and I again offer my condolences to his family.


                        Maj. William E. Burchett

  Mr. BAYH. Mr. President, I rise today with a heavy heart and deep 
sense of gratitude to honor the life of a brave man who served in the 
Indiana Air National Guard unit stationed in Terre Haute, IN. Major 
William E. Burchett, 35 years old, died during a training mission when 
the F-16 he was flying collided with another F-16 fighter jet, just 
west of Indiana on Monday, May 17, 2004.
  Bill graduated from the United States Air Force Academy in 1991. A 
native of Michigan, Bill moved to Terre Haute in 2000 after leaving 
active duty and being reassigned to the 181st Fighter Wing. He was a 
seasoned fighter pilot with over 2,300 flight hours in various military 
aircraft, which he flew while bravely serving our Nation on numerous 
occasions, including missions in Kosovo, Bosnia, Yugoslavia and Saudi 
Arabia. His love of flying also spilled over into his civilian career. 
When Bill wasn't training in his Air Force flight suit, he was working 
in his FedEx pilot uniform flying around the packages and supplies that 
help keep our Nation's economy moving forward.
  Bill was a man of great faith as well as a hardworking and brave 
airman. He leaves behind his wife, Deborah who is expecting their third 
child in a few weeks and his two sons, ages six and two years old. May 
Bill's children grow up knowing that their father gave his life to help 
defend our great Nation and ensure that children in other countries, 
like Kosovo and Iraq, will some day know the freedom they enjoy.
  Today, I join Bill's family, his friends, and the entire Indiana 
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 
training and fighting to make the world a safer place. It is his 
courage and strength of character that people will remember when they 
think of Bill, a memory that will burn brightly during these continuing 
days of grief.
  When looking back on the life of his late parishioner, Bill's 
minister, Mark Grayless told the Terre Haute Tribune Star that he ``was 
a fantastic family man. He was a really neat guy and great with his 
kids.'' Bill was known for his wonderful sense of humor, his unfailing 
patience and the incredible love he shared with his wife and small 
children. According to his friends, Bill's passion for flying may not 
soon be forgotten for his oldest son was quoted as having proudly 
pronounced that he, too, wanted to be a pilot, just like his dad.
  It is my sad duty to enter the name of William E. Burchett in the 
official record of the U.S. Senate for his service to this country and 
for his profound commitment to freedom, democracy and peace. When I 
think about the unfortunate pain that comes with the loss of our 
heroes, I hope that families such as Bill'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 be 
with all of you, as I know He is with Bill.

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