[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 106 (Thursday, September 9, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S8982]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page S8982]]
                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES


                     Specialist Charles E. Odums II

  Mr. DeWINE. Madam President, I come to the Senate today to pay 
tribute to Army SPC Charles Odums, II, who lost his life in the service 
of our country in Iraq. At times like this, I am reminded of a speech 
President Ronald Reagan gave on Veterans Day many years ago. He said:

       It is, in a way, an odd thing to honor those who died in 
     defense of our country, in defense of us, in wars far away. 
     The imagination plays a trick. We see these soldiers in our 
     mind as old and wise . . . . But most of them were boys when 
     they died.

  SPC Charles Odums was 22 years old when he died after an improvised 
explosive device detonated near his patrol in Baghdad, Iraq. Today, I 
rise to remember this brave young man, who was taken from us much too 
soon.
  Charles, or ``Chuck'' as he was known by family and friends, was an 
ambitious kid who always tried to do the right thing. Friends lovingly 
remembered him as the ``sweet and quiet boy who would do anything that 
was asked of him.'' He came from a close-knit family and developed an 
especially strong bond with his younger brother, Robert. The two loved 
to ride their motorcycles and talk of their big plans for the future. 
They were going to be millionaires.
  Chuck went to Sandusky High School and graduated in 1999. While 
there, he played football and participated in track. He was the likable 
guy everyone wanted to be around. Chuck's coach, Brett Fuqua, 
remembered him as a hardworking young man who would run a marathon if 
asked. Chuck was always willing to do whatever needed to be done.
  After high school, Chuck enrolled at the University of Toledo. While 
there, he met the love of his life, Melanie, and the two married in 
December 2001. Chuck remained in college for more than one year, but 
found that it wasn't for him. After much consideration and much time 
talking it out with his parents, he decided to enlist in the Army.
  Though this would be a difficult decision for anyone to make, Chuck 
knew it was the right one for him. Brett Fuqua described Chuck's 
reasons for enlisting this way:

       He didn't do it because it was glamorous. He didn't do it 
     because he would be a hero. He did it because he believed it 
     was his duty to defend the freedoms that define America: the 
     freedom to worship, to speak freely, to be safe.

  Chuck was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st 
Cavalry Division, where he worked as a medic and driver. His comrades 
called him ``Odie'' or ``Doc,'' and they knew they could trust him with 
their lives. In fact, during his time in Iraq, Chuck was credited with 
saving three lives and helping countless others. His commanding officer 
recalled that Chuck would steer his Humvee in such a way that 
suspicious bumps in the road would pass under the driver's side--his 
side--putting Chuck in danger rather than his passengers.
  While overseas, Chuck made sure to keep in touch with his family by 
phone or e-mail, and his parents made sure they held on to everything 
he sent them. In the binder that they now cherish, Annie and Charles 
Odums have pictures of their son serving in Iraq. In one, Chuck, in 
full gear, is waiting on a helicopter landing pad for his transport to 
arrive. In another, he stands guarding an Iraqi man while other 
soldiers search for a weapons cache. Chuck's e-mail read: ``Well, I'm 
doing good out here.''
  While Chuck was in Iraq, he was careful of what he told his mother. 
He knew she would worry. Chuck missed his parents, his brother and 
sisters, but especially his wife Melanie. Melanie and Chuck were 
already planning what they would do when Chuck's enlistment ended. They 
both wanted to start a family. Chuck had dreams of becoming a police 
officer. No matter what they decided to do, Chuck and Melanie were 
looking forward to being together.
  After Chuck was killed, in his hometown of Sandusky, OH, thousands of 
people gathered to show their support for the Odums family and to honor 
Chuck. They lined the street for the funeral procession and placed 
flags in their yards. One woman held a sign that read: ``Thank you, 
Charles, God bless America.'' Veterans groups saluted the fallen 
comrade and many held their hands over their hearts.
  One Sandusky native, Debra Churchwell, took her grandchildren, 
nieces, and nephews to watch the funeral procession. When asked why she 
brought her family, she replied: ``I want them to see a part of history 
because they'll never see this again. I pray to God they never see this 
again.'' No one wants to see this again.
  I know Chuck will live on in the hearts of his many friends and his 
family, especially his wife Melanie, his mother Annie, father Charles, 
brother Robert, and sisters Janel, Sophia, Candie, and Tashica. Chuck 
is an American hero who will live on in all our hearts.
  Madam President, I thank the Chair and yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. LOTT. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. LOTT. Madam President, I would like to inquire about the time 
remaining and how it is divided.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. There is 7 minutes remaining on the Republican 
side and 30 minutes remaining on the Democratic side.
  Mr. LOTT. Madam President, I do not want to use all that time if 
others have a need to come and make comments, but I do have a couple 
issues I would like to speak on briefly this morning.

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