[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 134 (Friday, November 19, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11607-S11609]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING OUR ARMED SERVICES


                       Specialist Alan J. Burgess

  Mr. GREGG. Mr. President, the United States of America was founded on 
a passion for freedom, personal liberties, and equality for all its 
citizens. In a fierce battle for freedom and independence, the citizens 
of this new world cast off the shackles of tyranny and built for 
themselves a land of hope and promise. So fervently held were the 
beliefs and ideals of this country, that a son of New Hampshire, GEN 
John Stark, reminded us of the price of our liberties with his 
admonishment to ``Live free or die.'' The heroes and Founding Fathers 
of that long ago time have been joined by another noble son of New 
Hampshire, SP Alan J. Burgess of Landaff. It is in his memory that I 
rise today to honor Alan for his service and supreme sacrifice in the 
continuing defense of this country and for his relentless defense of 
freedom.
  Specialist Burgess demonstrated a willingness and dedication to serve 
and defend his country by joining the National Guard after this country 
was attacked in September 2001, and we had begun the task of destroying 
the enemies of our country. Just as many of America's heroes have taken 
up arms in the face of dire threats, Alan too dedicated himself to the 
defense of our ideals, values, freedoms, and way of life. His valor and 
service cost him his life but earned him a place on the rollcall of 
honor within the pantheon of heroes this country has produced.
  Following basic training, Alan joined his comrades in 2nd Battalion, 
197th Field Artillery Brigade, Army National Guard as a Military 
Policeman and began training for his deployment to Iraq in support of 
Operation Iraqi Freedom. From this unit's home base in Woodsville, NH, 
he would deploy in March 2004 to Iraq in pursuit of those who would 
threaten our way of life.
  During his all too brief career, Alan accumulated a significant list 
of accolades and experiences which testify to the dedication and 
devotion he held for the Army, his fellow soldiers, and his country. 
Alan's expertise contributed greatly to his unit's successes and 
cemented his place as a participant in the great endeavor known as 
America. Alan was recognized for his service by the Bronze Star Medal, 
the Purple Heart Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense 
Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the 
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, and the 
Army Reserve Overseas Service Ribbon.
  I offer Alan's family my deepest sympathies and most heartfelt thanks 
for the service, sacrifice, and example of their soldier, SP Alan 
Burgess. Alan exemplified the words of Daniel Webster who said, ``God 
grants liberty only to those who love it, and are always ready to guard 
and defend it.'' Because of his efforts, the liberty of this country is 
made more secure.

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                         Corporal Kevin Dempsey

  Mr. DODD. Mr. President, I rise to speak in memory of Cpl Kevin J. 
Dempsey, of Monroe, CT, who was killed in Iraq this past Saturday, 
November 13, 2004 at the age of 23.
  Corporal Dempsey served with the 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd 
Marine Expeditionary Force, based out of Camp Lejeune, NC. He died in 
an explosion in the Al-Anbar province in Western Iraq. He had been in 
Iraq for only 3 months, and was sent there shortly after finishing a 
tour of duty in Haiti.
  Although Corporal Dempsey's given name was Kevin, he was known to his 
family and friends as Jack Dempsey, after the famous boxing champion. 
Kevin Dempsey truly was a fighter. At New Canaan High School, he 
wrestled and played for the football team, and was known for playing 
through injuries. Kevin was also a young man who would stand up for his 
fellow students, and help them out when they were in need.
  According to Corporal Dempsey's friends, he and the Marines were a 
perfect match. An individual known for his toughness and steadfast 
dedication found a branch of the Armed Forces with a reputation for 
those same traits. Corporal Dempsey brought to the battlefields of Iraq 
the same determination that he took to the wrestling mat. He loved his 
country, and he loved the U.S. Marines.
  Kevin Dempsey had considered enlisting in the Marines since he 
graduated from high school. But his decision became final after the 
attacks of September 11, 2001. Like so many others across this Nation, 
he resolved on that day to do what he could to defend our Nation. He 
called his recruiter at noon on that day and said he was ready to sign 
up.
  With each passing day we hear news out of Iraq about brave American 
men and women who have lost their lives fighting there. As the toll 
rises, it is critical for us to remember that our soldiers overseas are 
each individual young men and women, each with their own families, 
their own reasons for serving, and their own stories. I have told one 
story today, but there are, many others. Let us do our best to keep 
those stories in mind, and let us keep heroes like Kevin Dempsey and 
his family in our thoughts and prayers, particularly as we approach the 
holiday season.
  I offer my deepest sympathies to Corporal Dempsey's mother, Barbara, 
to his sister Jennifer, and to all who knew and loved him.


                 chief warrant officer william brennan

  Mr. President, I rise to pay tribute to CWO Brennan, a native of 
Bethlehem, CT, who was killed in Iraq last month. CWO Brennan died at 
the age of 36 when his Bell helicopter went down over Baghdad on 
October 16, 2004.
  William Brennan came from a family and community steeped in military 
tradition. His father Nicholas was a Navy commander during the Second 
World War. His uncle was a bomber pilot during World War II and the 
Korean War. And his godfather was a pilot who served in Vietnam.
  With those influences, it comes as no surprise that William Brennan, 
known to his friends and family as Will, dreamed from a young age of 
flying a plane. It wasn't an easy career path for William; in fact, the 
first time he applied to Army flight school, his application was tossed 
in the garbage after an Army official accidentally spilled coffee on 
it. But through persistence and perseverance, William Brennan realized 
his dream.
  William Brennan's military resume is one of which any soldier would 
be proud. His career in the Army spanned 15 years. In addition to his 
service in Iraq, he served as part of the peacekeeping mission led by 
the United States in Bosnia. And shortly after the attacks of September 
11th, he flew surveillance flights over New York City.
  Chief Warrant Officer Brennan was proud of his service, and was proud 
of his family as well. He and his wife Kathy, who met while they were 
both stationed at Fort Drum, New York, were the parents of two girls, 
Kaitlin and Cassidy. In fact, William's greatest concerns leaving for 
Iraq were not about the danger he would face, but about the wife and 
daughters he was leaving behind.
  Next week we will be celebrating the holiday of Thanksgiving, and in 
another month, we will encounter the traditional winter holidays. Most 
of us will be gathering together with our families and giving thanks 
for all that we have. On these occasions, let us also remember families 
like William Brennan's, who have lost loved ones over this past year in 
places like Iraq and Afghanistan. Let us remember them, and do what we 
can to offer them a helping hand, or a shoulder to cry on, during what 
is surely a difficult time of year.
  I offer my deepest sympathies to Kathy Brennan, to Kaitlin and 
Cassidy, to William's brothers and sisters, and their entire family.


                       Lance Corporal James Swain

  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 from Kokomo, 
IN. LCpl James Swain, 20 years old, died on November 15th. When his 
unit was faced with determining who among them would go to Iraq, James 
volunteered--a selfless choice that would cost him his life. James was 
shot while conducting combat operations in the Al Anbar province of 
Iraq. With his entire life before him, James risked everything to fight 
for the values Americans hold close to our hearts, in a land halfway 
around the world.
  After graduating from Kokomo High School in 2002, James followed a 
long-standing family tradition by joining the Armed Forces. His father 
Dan told the Kokomo Tribune that James had always enjoyed hearing 
stories of his days as an Army medic. However, James chose the path of 
his grandfather, who had also been a marine. According to friends and 
loved ones, James was born to serve and had touched many lives with his 
service and his generous spirit. He had dreams of continuing to help 
his country by becoming a criminal profiler for the CIA or FBI.
  James was the 39th Hoosier soldier to be killed while serving his 
country in Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was assigned to the Headquarters 
Battalion, 1st Marines, Regimental Combat Team-1, 1st Marine Division, 
Camp Pendleton, CA. This brave young soldier leaves behind his parents, 
Dan and Mona Swain; his grandfather, Edward Swain; his brother, 
Benjamin Swain; and his sisters, Mary Ann and Melissa Swain.
  Today, I join James' family, his friends, and the entire Hoosier 
community in mourning his death. While we struggle to bear our sorrow 
over this 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 
James, a memory that will burn brightly during these continuing days of 
conflict and grief.
  James was known for his dedication to serving others and his love of 
family and country. When looking back on James' life, Charlie Hall, a 
former coach at Kokomo High School, told the Kokomo Tribune, ``Anything 
he tried, he did to the fullest. He did well. I think it says a lot 
about the quality of our service people if there are people like James 
serving.'' His high school principal Harold Canady remembered him by 
saying, ``James was an outstanding young man . . . The best way I can 
describe him is that he is the all-American boy. He chose to serve his 
country and was willing to make that sacrifice.'' Today and always, 
James 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 James' 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 James' actions will live on far longer than any 
record of these words.
  It is my sad duty to enter the name of James Swain in the official 
record of the Senate for his service to this country and for his 
profound commitment

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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 James' 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 James.

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