[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 99 (Friday, July 16, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1406-E1407]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                IN MEMORY OF SSGT DUSTIN ``BOB'' PETERS

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. MIKE ROSS

                              of arkansas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 15, 2004

  Mr. ROSS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life and 
courageous spirit of SSgt. Dustin ``Bob'' Peters of Shirley, AR. SSgt. 
Peters, just 25, was killed in the line of duty on Saturday, July 11, 
2004 near Bayji, Iraq.
  After graduating from Shirley High School in 1996, SSgt. Peters 
entered the Air Force where he attended technical training at Fort 
Leonard Wood, MO, and graduated as a vehicle operator journeyman. He 
completed assignments at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri and 
Anderson Air Force Base in Guam.
  SSgt. Peters arrived to Little Rock Air Force Base in 2000. After 
returning from Iraq in July of 2003, he volunteered to return to Iraq 
for a second tour of duty to serve with a young group of soldiers, most 
of whom had never been to combat. His sole purpose in returning to Iraq 
was to protect this group of soldiers. One friend of SSgt. Peters 
remembers fondly, ``Peters was respected and loved by fellow airmen. 
They admired this young staff sergeant. He knew his job very, very 
well.''

[[Page E1407]]

  SSgt. Peter's exemplary service did not go unnoticed; his military 
decorations include the Air Force Commendation Medal with one Oak Leaf 
Cluster and with Valor, and an Air Force Achievement Medal with one Oak 
Leaf Cluster.
  SSgt. Peters gave his life to serve our country and will forever be 
remembered as a husband, father, son, and hero. My deepest condolences 
go out to his wife, Heather, their son, Dalton, his mother, Linda 
Bennings, and his father, Dennis Peters. I know SSgt. Peters was proud 
of his service to the U.S. Army and to our country. He will be missed 
by his family, fellow soldiers, and all those who knew him well.

                          ____________________