[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 6 (Wednesday, January 26, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S562-S563]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES


                       Sergeant Kyle W. Childress

  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 Terre 
Haute. SGT Kyle W. Childress, 29 years old, died on January 21 when he 
was attacked by enemy forces using small arms fire in Ad Duluiyah. With 
his entire life before him, Kyle risked everything to fight for the 
values Americans hold close to our hearts, in a land halfway around the 
world.
  After graduating from Terre Haute South Vigo High School in 1994, 
Kyle followed in his father's footsteps by joining the Army. According 
to family and friends, Kyle was a calm and easygoing young man whose 
decision to join one of the most challenging divisions of the Armed 
Forces was a surprise. Nevertheless, his mother told the Terre Haute 
Tribune Star that her son ``was proud'' of what he signed up to do.
  Kyle was the 44th Hoosier soldier to be killed while serving his 
country in Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was assigned to A Troop, 1st 
Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, Schweinfurt, 
Germany. This brave young soldier leaves behind his mother, Nancy 
Knight; his father, Keith Childress; his sister, Gretta; and his 
brother, Jason.
  Today, I join Kyle's family, his friends and the entire Terre Haute 
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 
Kyle, a memory that will burn brightly during these continuing days of 
conflict and grief.
  Kyle was known for his dedication to family and his love of country. 
His brother Jason told the Terre Haute Tribune Star that Kyle had been 
more than a brother to him, that he was his best friend. Jason recalled 
that Kyle had been his role model, ``He's the one who pretty much made 
me the person I am today.'' Today and always, Kyle

[[Page S563]]

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 Kyle'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 Kyle's actions will live on far longer than any 
record of these words.
  It is my sad duty to enter the name of Kyle Childress in the official 
record of the 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 
Kyle'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 Kyle.

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