[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 74 (Tuesday, June 1, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6254-S6255]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              MEMORIAL DAY

  Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, my wife and I, during the Memorial Day 
break, had a wonderful, patriotic week. It is always good to get back 
to the regular schedule. We started out visiting Fort Carson just south 
of Colorado Springs, CO, and had an opportunity to welcome home the 3rd 
Armored Calvary Regiment of Fort Carson, the Mountain Post.
  Having done that, we met with a number of constituents after flying 
back to Washington, DC, to meet with hundreds of Coloradans who decided 
to come to Washington, DC, to celebrate the Memorial Day weekend here 
and to celebrate the opening of the World War II Memorial, which was a 
long time in coming.
  It was a great time. My wife and I were both caught up in the 
enthusiasm of both generations--the current generation fighting for 
freedom and security in Iraq, and the past generation, the World War II 
generation who fought and literally changed the world because of their 
efforts, dedication, and heroism during World War II. We were caught up 
in the enthusiasm of the World War II generation and found ourselves 
dancing to music of that era, having a wonderful time, meeting many 
wonderful Coloradans who were obviously excited about the fact they 
could come to Washington, DC, and celebrate the opening of the World 
War II Memorial.


                    The 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment

  I rise today to commend the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment for its long 
history of service to our Nation and for its more recent heroic 
accomplishments in Iraq.
  Last week, I had the opportunity to attend a welcome home ceremony 
for the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment at Fort Carson, CO. Unlike most 
welcome home ceremonies, this one was steeped in tradition.
  Few units in the U.S. Army can claim as distinguished history as the 
3rd Armored Cavalry. And, even fewer have had so many of its soldiers 
awarded medals for valor on the battlefield.
  The 3rd Armored Cavalry's service to our country did not begin in 
Iraq, or during World II. Indeed, not even in the past century. Rather, 
it began on May 19, 1846, by an Act of the 29th Congress of the United 
States. On that date, Congress authorized the creation of a regiment of 
mounted riflemen for the purpose of establishing military stations on 
the route to Oregon. Unbeknownst to Congress, this regiment would go 
far beyond this limited mission in its service to our country.
  A year after its creation, in 1847, the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, 
then called the Mounted Riflemen, was sent into battle in the Mexican-
American War. Leading the assault on the fortress of Chapultepec, a key 
citadel outside Mexico City, Mounted Riflemen charged through heavy 
cannon fire to seize the castle and capture an enemy artillery battery.
  Later in the war, the Mounted Riflemen were sent to capture another 
enemy artillery battery halfway to the Belen Gate outside Mexico City, 
and then on to capture a third battery in the assault on the gate 
itself. It was extraordinarily successful in all three assaults.
  General Winfield Scott, the Commander of U.S. forces during the 
Mexican War, was so impressed with the bravery and toughness of the 
Mounted Riflemen that he gave this commendation:

       Brave Rifles, veterans--you have been baptized in fire and 
     blood and come out with steel. Where bloody work was to be 
     done, ``the Rifles'' was the cry, and there they were. All 
     speak of them in terms of praise and admiration. What can I 
     say? What shall I say? Language cannot express my feelings of 
     gratitude for your gallant conduct in this terrible conflict 
     . . .

  Due to the bravery of their service, 11 troopers were commissioned 
from the enlisted ranks and 19 officers received brevet promotions for 
gallantry in action.
  At the time of the start of the Civil War, the First Regiment of 
Mounted Riflemen was redesignated as the 3rd U.S. Cavalry Regiment. 
During the war, the 3rd Cavalry Regiment fought at the battle of 
Chattanooga, and in minor battles in New Mexico, Alabama, Tennessee, 
and Arkansas. During the campaign in New Mexico, the 3rd Cavalry 
Regiment fought alongside the 1st Colorado Infantry Regiment, and 
Colonel ``Kit'' Carson, who commanded the 1st New Mexico Infantry 
Regiment.
  Following the Civil War, the 3rd Cavalry Regiment was sent to the 
American West to the fight in the Indian Wars. The experiences of the 
Indian Wars were traumatic and brutal for the troopers of the 3rd 
Cavalry Regiment, but they continued on. During the largest battle of 
the Indian Wars, the Regiment again distinguished itself. Four 3rd 
Cavalry troopers received the Medal of Honor for their heroism during 
the battle.
  In 1898, the regiment's mettle was again tested in the Spanish-
American War. The 3rd Cavalry regiment, along with five other regular 
U.S. Cavalry regiments, was given the nearly impossible mission of 
assaulting the hills surrounding San Juan in Cuba. In the dismounted 
attack, the 3rd Cavalry Regiment's U.S. Flag was the first to be raised 
on the point of victory.
  With the turn of the century, armies began to turn to mechanized 
warfare. It was not until World War II, however, that the 3rd Cavalry 
Regiment was reorganized and redesignated as the 3rd Armored Group and 
sent to the European theater.
  The troopers of the 3rd Cavalry group became the spearhead of General 
Patton's drive across German-held France. In fact, because this unit 
was everywhere and nowhere at the same time, it was nicknamed the 
``Ghosts'' by the Germans. And, on November 17, 1944, the 3rd Cavalry 
Group became the first element of Patton's army to enter Germany.
  At the war's end, the unit received high praise from its commanding 
general. General Patton commented with these words:

       The 3rd Cavalry has lived up to the accolade bestowed upon 
     it at Chapultepec by General Scott. As horse cavalry you were 
     outstanding; I have never seen a better regiment. To your 
     performance as mechanized cavalry, the same applies. It is a 
     distinct honor to have commanded an army in which the 3rd 
     Cavalry served.

  During the Persian Gulf war in 1991, the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment 
again distinguished itself on the field of battle. On February 22, 
1991, the Regiment led the U.S. forces across the Iraqi border. One 
hundred hours later, the regiment had moved over 300 kilometers north 
and left the remnants of three Iraqi Republican Guard divisions in its 
wake.
  The purpose of reviewing the storied past of one of Army's most famed 
units is for each of us to understand just how important it was to 
these troopers that they live up to the unit's reputation in battle 
during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

[[Page S6255]]

  Unlike past conflicts, Operation Iraqi Freedom was, for the 3rd 
Armored Cavalry, a battle of a different kind. It was for the hearts 
and minds of the Iraqi people. It was securing the peace and preventing 
terrorist attacks. It was for rebuilding a nation devastated by war, 
brutality, and corruption.
  The regiment was responsible for controlling about a third of Iraq, 
including the hostile cities of Ramadi and Fallujah and Iraq's western 
borders with Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Syria. Yet, the troopers 
performed their mission with excellence. They were determined in the 
face of opposition. They overcame unforeseen challenges. They worked as 
never before.
  They also cared deeply about the Iraqi people. In one case, the 
regiment helped three rural villages in rebuilding their decimated 
communities. The troopers worked alongside families repaired and 
reconstructed facilities damaged and neglected for 30 years under the 
former regime. Schools, medical clinics and houses were rebuilt so that 
children could return to school and health care could be provided to 
all.
  In other cities, troopers from the regiment helped build sewer and 
water projects, rebuild schools, and provide clothes, blankets, and 
food to needy adults and children.
  These are only a few examples of the outstanding work these troopers 
did in Iraq. And, now, as these troopers reflect upon their service, 
they can say with pride that they accomplished their mission and made a 
difference in the lives of the Iraqi people.
  However, their service did not come without a high cost.
  PFC Armando Soriano joined the Army so that he could help his 
parents, who had immigrated to the United States in the 1980s. His goal 
was to save enough money to buy his parents and his four siblings a 
house.
  Yet, it was his love for his comrades that made him stand out, and as 
a result, he became one of the best young soldiers in the 3rd Armored 
Cavalry. At 5 feet 6 inches, PFC Soriano weighed barely more than the 
100-pound artillery shells he hefted as part of his job driving a 155 
mm cannon through Iraq.
  But that didn't stop him. He was faster than any of his comrades in 
lifting these huge shells.
  He was known in the unit as a soldier who would do anything for his 
fellow troopers. He was always positive and kept everyone going despite 
the tough conditions. His fellow soldiers described him as ``simply the 
best.''
  Sadly, PFC Armando Soriano died on February 2, 2004, in a truck 
accident in Iraq.
  SP Brian Penisten, one of the unit's best mechanics, loved fishing, 
fixing cars and woodworking. He was a devoted family man with a 4-year 
old son. And, he was proud that he got to wear the uniform of the 
United States Army.
  ``He could make us look forward to doing our jobs every day,'' 
according to one of his fellow soldiers. ``He would be the one to make 
us shine and laugh and cry and everything else.''
  ``He was always doing something to make things better,'' said 
another.
  SP Brian Penisten was headed home for his wedding to his longtime 
girlfriend when his transport helicopter was shot down on November 2 by 
a guerrilla missile near the city of Fallujah.
  He was buried on the day he was supposed to be married.
  These are only two stories of the 49 soldiers from Colorado who have 
died while serving our Nation in Iraq. And, another 233 were wounded.
  Despite the high cost, the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment embraced 
their mission and worked each and every day to better the lives of the 
Iraqi people.
  Troopers like SFC Dean Lockhart have continued to demonstrate a 
devotion to the Army and our country despite the high price he has had 
to pay.
  On July 23, Sergeant Lockhart was manning his Humvee machine gun when 
a roadside bomb demolished his Humvee. Shrapnel from the bomb pierced 
his back, shattering his pelvis and leg. After numerous surgeries and 
endless days of pain, Sergeant Lockhart is back in Colorado recovering 
from his injuries.
  Despite the physical and psychological toll, Sergeant Lockhart has 
not given up. He still wants to spend 7 more years in the Army and he 
still believes in the U.S. mission in Iraq. He doesn't blame anyone for 
his injuries and has no regrets. If his unit was back in Iraq, he would 
return in a moment's notice.
  Mr. President, I cannot begin to express to you and to the rest of my 
colleagues how thankful I am for the service these brave men and women 
from the 3rd Armored Cavalry have given to our country. Over 400 of 
these troopers earned medals of valor, including 200 Purple Hearts. 
They sacrificed much, but they never gave up. They accomplished their 
mission, fought with dignity and honor, and continued the heroic legacy 
of the 3rd Armored Cavalry.
  Last week, I watched in amazement as the troopers of the 3rd Armored 
Cavalry Regiment were told that they had both literally and 
figuratively earned their spurs. Each of them are now allowed to wear 
those spurs in public in recognition of the unit's historic past and 
more, importantly, in appreciation for the unit's heroic service to our 
country in Iraq.
  Mr. President, these are fine troopers who deserve our honor, our 
praise, and our admiration. I commend the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment 
for its service to our Nation, and I and the rest of the State of 
Colorado welcome them home.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor and suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. ENZI). The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the time 
consumed during the previous quorum call be divided between the two 
sides; provided further that the time spent in additional quorum calls 
during this period of morning business be equally divided, as well.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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