[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 135 (Saturday, November 20, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11708-S11709]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES


                 Staff Sergeant Charles ``Chuck'' Kiser

  Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, over a week ago we celebrated Veterans 
Day. In countless parades, ceremonies, and prayer services, Americans 
honored and remembered the service and sacrifices of all of those who 
have answered the call of duty. In the days that have followed, I 
continue to be reminded of something President Ronald Reagan said more 
than 20 years ago, something he said about the brave service men and 
women who did not return from the field of battle. This is what he 
said:

       Their lives remind us that freedom is not bought cheaply. 
     It has a cost; it imposes a burden. And just as they whom we 
     commemorate were willing to sacrifice, so, too must we--in a 
     less final, less heroic way--be willing to give of ourselves.

  That is an important lesson, our willingness to repay the debts we 
who are left behind owe our fallen soldiers, this notion of giving of 
ourselves. It is a lesson the students of McNicholas High School in 
Cincinnati have taken to heart.
  On June 24, 2004, 37-year-old Army SSgt Charles ``Chuck'' Kiser, an 
Ohio native and former McNicholas High graduate, lost his life in Iraq 
while saving the lives of his comrades.
  The current students at McNicholas wanted to honor and remember Chuck 
Kiser this year on Veterans Day, so they went about raising enough 
money to hold a ceremony and fly Chuck's wife Deb and their two 
children, Alicia and Mark, from Wisconsin to Ohio, for the services. In 
their own way, these students gave of themselves. They reached out to 
the Kiser family and said we will not forget your husband. We will not 
forget your father. We will not forget him either.
  Chuck Kiser was a loving husband, doting father, and courageous 
soldier. He grew up in Amelia, OH, in a home with his father Charles 
and six women--mother Glenda and sisters Chris, Denise, Patty, Teresa, 
and Joy. Some say that living with all those women is what toughened 
him up and made him into such an outstanding soldier. I imagine that is 
very true.
  Their father passed away in 2002. Chuck and his dad were very close. 
Chuck followed in his dad's footsteps when he entered the military. The 
elder Charles had served in the Navy and was a Korean War veteran. 
Chuck's brother-in-law, Bill Grannen, said that ``[Chuck's] father 
instilled that kind of love of country and commitment in him. I'm sure 
they're together now.''
  Chuck was a runner--and a good one, at that. He began his track 
career in the third grade at St. Bernadette School and continued 
running through college. At McNicholas High School and at the 
University of Cincinnati, he was a champion sprinter. As a high school 
senior, he finished in second place in the 200-meter run at the state 
Class AA meet. In fact, he also holds the University of Cincinnati 
records for the 300 meter and the 300 yard dash indoors. His former 
coach, Brett Schnier remembered Chuck as his top recruit and that ``he 
could run about anything.''
  After a year at the University, Chuck decided to join the Navy, where 
he would eventually meet and marry the love of his life, Deb. Chuck 
spent seven years in active duty in the Navy, stationed mostly in 
Italy. It was there that he met Deb, and they fell in love. They 
started a family while Chuck continued his military service.
  Following his time in the Navy, he spent seven years in the Naval 
Reserves. Later, he entered the Army Reserve because the base was near 
their eventual home in Cleveland, WI.
  Not only was Chuck Kiser a model soldier, he was a model father. He 
loved his children dearly. He was a great dad. He took joy in coaching 
Mark and Alicia in various sports. Last year, Chuck coached a Little 
League championship team and would often volunteer to work with youth 
at the Zion United Church of Christ in Sheboygan.
  Chuck Kiser loved all kids and felt especially strong about helping 
the children in Iraq. According to his brother-in-law:

       Charles really felt like he wanted to secure their freedoms 
     so they could live without the fear they lived under during 
     the dictatorship. He said that if the situation were 
     reversed, he would hope people would come to liberate his 
     children. He believed that in his heart.

  That is why Chuck never hesitated when he and the rest of his Army 
Reserve unit--the 330th Military Police Detachment--were deployed to 
Iraq earlier this year. He wanted to defend our Nation, and he wanted 
the Iraqi people to have the same freedoms he and his family enjoyed. 
Chuck was proud to be serving his country. He was proud to help the 
Iraqi people in whatever way he could.
  Staff Sergeant Kiser lost his life helping the Iraqi people and 
saving the lives of his Comrades. He was on guard duty in Mosul, Iraq 
when insurgents began firing from a truck loaded with explosives. Chuck 
returned fire, but was killed when the truck crashed and exploded. Army 
Major Mark Magalski noted that Chuck saved countless lives in his final 
act of bravery.
  Upon Chuck's death, hundreds in his hometown of Amelia gathered to 
show their support for the Kiser family. At the Clermont County 
courthouse, signs hung that read, ``God Bless Chuck and the Kiser 
Family.'' Flags were placed in yards and the community came out to help 
the Kisers in any way they could.
  I had the privilege of meeting Chuck's family at the memorial service 
held in his honor, and I want to thank them for sharing their memories 
with me. The service was fitting for a man

[[Page S11709]]

so full of life. The family requested that the service be a celebration 
of Chuck's life rather than a time of mourning. As patriotic music 
played, thousands paid tribute to this American hero. The service was a 
testament to the love his community had for this brave man--and a 
testament to the number of lives he touched.
  Staff Sergeant Charles Kiser was a good, decent, loving man, who 
protected our Nation bravely. We will remember him always. I 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. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Talent). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.

                          ____________________