[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 2 (Thursday, January 6, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S60]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       SERGEANT JEREMY R. WRIGHT

  Mr. BAYH. Mr. President, I speak today with a heavy heart and deep 
sense of gratitude in honor of the life of a brave young man from 
Shelbyville, IN. SGT Jeremy R. Wright, 31 years old, died on January 3 
during a patrol when the vehicle he was riding in was struck by a 
roadside bomb near Kabul. With his entire life before him, Jeremy 
risked everything to fight for the values Americans hold close to our 
hearts, in a land halfway around the world.
  A 1992 graduate of Southwestern High School, Jeremy went on to attend 
Wabash College where he won the NCAA Division III Great Lakes regional 
title in 1993 for distance running and graduated with honors as a 
chemistry major. Jeremy joined the Army in 2002, pursuing his long-time 
fascination with the military. Like most things Jeremy set his mind to, 
he was successful in his military career, becoming a member of the 
elite Green Beret. Wabash spokesman Jim Amidon shared memories of the 
former student with the Associated Press, saying his ``rare combination 
of intellect, courage, discipline and passion made him a naturally 
brilliant distance runner . . . Those are the same qualities that made 
him a fine soldier, too, the kind of officer our country needs in the 
military.''
  Jeremy was killed while serving his country in Operation Enduring 
Freedom. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 1st Special Forces 
Group, Fort Lewis, WA. This brave young soldier leaves behind his 
mother, Jackie Nickel and his father, Dale Wright.
  Today, I join Jeremy's family, his friends and the entire Shelbyville 
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 
Jeremy, a memory that will burn brightly during these continuing days 
of conflict and grief.
  Jeremy was known for his dedication to family and his love of 
country. Today and always, Jeremy 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 Jeremy'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 Jeremy's actions will live on far longer than any 
record of these words.
  It is my sad duty to enter the name of Jeremy R. Wright in the 
official record of the United States 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 Jeremy'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 Jeremy.

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