[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 119 (Tuesday, September 28, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S9806]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES


                  Private First Class Nathan E. Stahl

  Mr. BAYH. Mr. President, I rise today with a heavy heart and deep 
sense of gratitude to honor the life of a brave young man who grew up 
in Highland, IN. PFC Nathan E. Stahl, 20 years old, died on September 
21, when the vehicle he was riding in was struck by a homemade roadside 
bomb in Iraq. With his entire life before him, Nathan chose to risk 
everything to fight for the values Americans hold close to our hearts, 
in a land halfway around the world.
  A Highland native, Nathan graduated from Highland High School in 
2003, and joined the Army shortly thereafter. Nathan was assigned to 
the 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, a special operations unit 
based in Fort Lewis, WA. Due to the nature of Nathan's assignments, he 
was never able to disclose exactly where he had been or where he was 
going to his family and friends. Despite these hardships, loved ones 
say Nathan was living his dream by serving his country. The last time 
Nathan saw his family was 3 months ago when he visited them for 9 days 
during a period of authorized leave. Nathan faced his frequent 
deployments willingly and fought bravely before sacrificing his life 
for the worthy cause of freedom.
  Nathan was the 35th Hoosier soldier to be killed while serving his 
country in Operation Iraqi Freedom. This brave young soldier leaves 
behind his mother, Towina; his father; his stepfather, Rodney; and his 
two sisters, Nichol and Abigail.
  Today, I join Nathan's family, his friends and all Americans in 
mourning his death. While we struggle to bear our sorrow over this 
tremendous loss, we can also take pride in the example he set, bravely 
fighting to make the world a safer place. It is his courage and 
strength of character that people will remember when they think of 
Nathan, a memory that will burn brightly during these continuing days 
of conflict and grief.
  Nathan was known for his dedicated spirit and his love of country. 
According to family and friends, joining the Armed Forces was something 
Nathan had wanted to do since he was a young boy. His mother, Towina, 
told the Times of Northwest Indiana that she remembers Nathan at 13 
insisting that they visit an Army recruiter. He joined the Army only 6 
years later. Aside from being a soldier, Nathan enjoyed weight lifting 
and working on cars. Today and always, Nathan will be remembered by 
family members, friends and fellow Hoosiers as a true American hero, 
and we honor the sacrifice he made while dutifully serving his country.
  As I search for words to do justice in honoring Nathan's sacrifice, I 
am reminded of President Lincoln's remarks as he addressed the families 
of the fallen soldiers in Gettysburg: ``We cannot dedicate, we cannot 
consecrate, we cannot hallow this ground. The brave men, living and 
dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power 
to add or detract. The world will little note nor long remember what we 
say here, but it can never forget what they did here.'' This statement 
is just as true today as it was nearly 150 years ago, as I am certain 
that the impact of Nathan's actions will live on far longer than any 
record of these words.
  It is my sad duty to enter the name of Nathan E. Stahl 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 this just cause in which we are engaged, and the 
unfortunate pain that comes with the loss of our heroes, I hope that 
families like Nathan'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 Nathan.

                          ____________________