[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 133 (Thursday, November 18, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2055]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING PFC SHELDON HAWK EAGLE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. STEPHANIE HERSETH

                            of south dakota

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 18, 2004

  Ms. HERSETH. Mr. Speaker, I want to take this opportunity to honor 
the life of PFC Sheldon Hawk Eagle of Eagle Butte, SD. Private First 
Class Hawk Eagle was killed November 15, 2003 while serving in 
Operation Iraqi Freedom. On November 20, 2004, friends and family in 
Eagle Butte will pay tribute to Sheldon and recognize the one year 
anniversary of his death with a memorial dinner and walk in his honor.
  Private First Class Hawk Eagle graduated from the Cheyenne Eagle 
Butte High School, in Eagle Butte, SD, in May of 2001. He enlisted in 
the U.S. Army in 2002, and graduated basic training from Ft. Sill, OK, 
later that same year. In 2003 Sheldon became Air Assault qualified and 
was assigned to the 101st Airborne Air Assault Division. He was 
deployed to Iraq in March, 2003.
  Sheldon, whose Lakota name is Wanbli Ohitika, or Brave Eagle, is a 
descendant of the Lakota leader Crazy Horse, who helped defeat LTC 
George Custer at the Battle of Little Big Horn. Sheldon joined the Army 
while visiting his sister in North Dakota and dreamed of becoming an 
elite Army Ranger. While both humble and quiet, Sheldon's sacrifice 
speaks loudly about his character.
  The lives of countless people were enormously enhanced by Sheldon's 
compassion and service. Sheldon, who represented the best of the United 
States, South Dakota, and the Lakota people, continues to inspire all 
those who knew him. Our Nation and South Dakota are far better places 
because of his life, and the best way to honor him is to emulate his 
commitment to our country.
  I join with all South Dakotans in expressing my sympathies to the 
family of Private First Class Hawk Eagle. His commitment and sacrifice 
to our Nation will never be forgotten.

                          ____________________