[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 104 (Tuesday, September 7, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S8844]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES


                        Corporal Tommy L. Parker

  Mrs. LINCOLN. Mr. President, today I rise to pay tribute to an 
authentic American hero who gave his life in the defense of his Nation. 
Cpl Tommy L. Parker, Jr., 21, of Heber Springs was one of four marines 
killed June 21 in Ramadi, Iraq. He was serving with a sniper platoon of 
the First Marine Division out of Camp Pendleton, CA.
  Tommy was a 2001 graduate of Triple S Christian Academy. The Rev. 
John Bishop, who taught Tommy, praised his devotion to his faith, 
saying that even when surrounded by tough marines he was not too shy to 
give witness to his beliefs. As Tommy prepared to leave for Iraq, 
Bishop said Parker's wife told him, he remarked that the experience was 
bringing him closer to God.
  Tommy is survived by his wife, Carla Parker; his daughter, Lara; and 
his parents, Tommy and Renatta.
  Tommy's sacrifice is a shining example of the commitment that is 
necessary to keep this Nation free. When his Nation called, he 
answered. Our prayers and gratitude go out to his family for the great 
service that Tommy rendered to our Nation.


                    Staff Sergeant Dustin W. Peters

  Mr. President, today I also wish to pay tribute to a brave Arkansan 
who gave his life for the cause of freedom. Air Force SSgt Dustin W. 
Peters was killed July 11 when his convoy was hit by homemade bombs 
about 150 miles north of Baghdad.
  Dustin was born August 22, 1978, in Texarkana, TX. He attended high 
school in El Dorado, KS, and in Shirley, AR, before going into the Air 
Force in 1997. Dustin received the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart 
posthumously. The Bronze Star Medal is given to individuals who 
distinguish themselves by heroism, outstanding achievement or 
meritorious service while serving in a combat theater, according to 
base officials. Dustin received his for heroism.
  Dustin is survived by his son, Dalton, of El Dorado, KS; his mother, 
Linda Benning, of Shirley, AR; and his father, Dennis, of Enid, OK.
  His fellow airmen said of Dustin that ``you could count on . . . his 
service to our country and others always came ahead of his own needs 
and desires. His loss has touched us deeply, and we will miss him.'' 
Not only will his fellow airmen miss him but a grateful Nation will 
miss him. His sacrifice will never be forgotten.


                        Private Van Ryan Marcum

  Mr. President, today I also wish to pay tribute to a brave young 
Arkansan who lost his life training to become a member of the United 
States Army. PVT Van Ryan Marcum, 21, a native of Prescott, AR, was 
electrocuted June 19 during an infantry basic training exercise when he 
touched a metal structure electrically charged by a faulty light 
fixture.
  Van Ryan Marcum was memorialized at Fort Benning, GA. Joining the 220 
soldiers from Charlie Company, with whom Marcum served, were his 
mother, grandmother, uncle and other family members invited to witness 
the tribute to the young man so interested in becoming an Army Ranger. 
As the ceremony unfolded, some soldiers grieved silently with bowed 
heads; others could not suppress quiet sniffles as the music played and 
the tributes were delivered.
  CPT Kevin Salge, commander of Charlie Company, was quoted as saying 
that it was an honor to count among his unit's soldiers a trooper such 
as Marcum, who had a bright future in the military. ``As soon as he 
completed a task he was ready for another. He carried his weight and 
more,'' Salge said. ``He would have been a great addition to the 
Army.''
  Van's desire to defend his Nation is a tribute to his courage and 
dedication. We honor the sacrifice he made in the service of his 
country.

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