[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 33 (Thursday, March 17, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2972-S2974]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES


                    Staff Sergeant Melvin L. Blazer

  Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, I wish to honor a brave Oklahoma soldier 
who gave the last full measure to protect our freedom. Staff Sergeant 
Melvin Blazer of the United States Marine Corps embodied the spirit of 
service and the values that make this country what it is.
  Sergeant Blazer was a great Marine. He joined soon after graduating 
from Moore High School in 1984. As he rose through the ranks, he 
developed a reputation of dependability. He was serving as a platoon 
leader with the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine 
Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force when his unit was deployed to 
Iraq.
  Sergeant Blazer was no stranger to the hazards of duty. He survived 
an improvised explosive device attack that struck his convoy last 
November and was awarded a Purple Heart.
  Sergeant Blazer was also a family man. He married his wife, Dana, in 
1989 and they had two children, Alyssa and Erik. As his wife recalls, 
``To know my husband was to love my husband. Everybody loved him and 
admired him and respected him and held him in such high regard. He was 
a hero In his everyday life.''
  Sergeant Blazer was also a Christian. He told relatives he was 
excited to see Iraq because the Bible talks about it and was proud to 
help and serve an oppressed people.
  On December 12, 2004, Sergeant Blazer was killed by enemy small arms 
fire in the city of Fallujah. He was 38 years old. He loved God, 
devoted himself to his family and gave the highest sacrifice to his 
country. He leaves behind many who know what a true hero he is. As a 
son of Oklahoma and a fine example of what this country stands for, 
Staff Sergeant Blazer deserves our honor and remembrance.


                    Lance Corporal Jordan D. Winkler

  Mr. President, I wish to honor one of Oklahoma's fallen sons, Marine 
LCpl Jordan Winkler. From an early age he felt called to defend our 
country and the freedom it stands for. For his life of service and his 
final sacrifice, we are eternally indebted to him.
  Corporal Winkler admired the military even before he was old enough 
to join. His parents still have a letter from the Marine Corps that he 
received when he was fifteen. While in Union High School in Tulsa, he 
was active in sports and respected by his peers.

[[Page S2973]]

Through family friends and recruiters, he gained an accurate picture of 
what would be required of him if he joined. During his senior year he 
was able to pursue his dream and joined the Marines through a delayed 
entry program. Those who knew him say he wore the uniform with pride.
  Corporal Winkler is remembered for his determination, honesty and 
integrity. As his teacher Paul Todd said, ``You knew where he stood. He 
lived by his principles and he was a good role model for everyone that 
knew him.''
  After training, he was assigned to the Combat Service Support 
Battalion 1, Combat Service Support Group 11, 1st Force Service Support 
Group, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, normally stationed at Camp 
Pendleton, California. This unit was deployed to Iraq to contribute to 
the ongoing US effort to rid the country of tyranny and the influence 
of terrorism. On November 26, 2004, in Camp Fallujah, Corporal Winkler 
died in a non-combat incident. He was buried at Tulsa's Memorial Park 
Cemetery with military honors.
  Corporal Winkler made a deep impact on those who knew him, but those 
who most deeply loved him look forward with hope. As his family said in 
a statement, ``Jordan was a dedicated Marine who was proud to be in 
Iraq serving his country and doing his job as a Marine. We will miss 
him more than words can say. However, we know we will see him again. 
Jordan Winkler was a Christian and knew that no matter what happened in 
his life, God was always in control.''
  Lance Corporal Jordan Winkler was worthy of deep respect and embodies 
all the qualities that make our Armed Forces and our country great. He 
was a soldier and a man of integrity, and he will be deeply missed.


                          sergeant carl w. lee

  Mr. President, today I stand in proud memory of an American hero. 
Army Sgt Carl W. Lee was a native of Oklahoma City, OK. He graduated 
from Crooked Oak High School in 2000 and enlisted in the Army. Although 
Sergeant Lee initially expected to stay only for the 3-year commitment, 
he soon chose to make a career of military service. He was assigned to 
the United States Army's 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd 
Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division.
  Sergeant Lee is remembered as an example of service and motivation. 
As Rusty McMurtrey, Lee's 21-year-old brother, emotionally recalled, 
``He was the reason I graduated school and got as far as I did. Since I 
can remember, Carl was the only one who'd been there for me.'' Rusty 
credited his older brother with saving him from a life of gangs and 
violence. The two planned on starting an automotive business together.
  When he had any free time, Sergeant Lee would volunteer with a local 
Special Olympics. It was his heart that his friends and family remember 
most.
  Sergeant Lee's unit, usually stationed at Camp Howze, South Korea, 
was deployed to Iraq. He served there as part of the effort to free the 
Iraqi people from the chains of tyranny and terrorism. On November 28, 
2004, his unit was conducting a foot patrol in Ar Ramadi when it came 
under enemy small arms fire. Sergeant Lee was hit twice and died from 
those wounds.
  Mr. President, it is difficult to express the pain of those he left 
behind; Sgt Carl Lee meant so much to so many and he will forever be 
remembered as a hero. By putting himself in harm's way he showed 
bravery and self-sacrifice that few of us will ever know. He gave the 
ultimate measure, and we are in his eternal debt. I honor Oklahoma's 
son and America's warrior, Sgt Carl W. Lee.


                    staff sergeant melvin l. blazer

  Mr. President, I wish to honor a brave Oklahoma soldier who gave the 
last full measure to protect our freedom. Staff Sergeant Melvin Blazer 
of the United States Marine Corps embodied the spirit of service and 
the values that make this country what it is.
  Sergeant Blazer was a great Marine. He joined soon after graduating 
from Moore High School in 1984. As he rose through the ranks, he 
developed a reputation of dependability. He was serving as a platoon 
leader with the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine 
Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force when his unit was deployed to 
Iraq.
  Sergeant Blazer was no stranger to the hazards of duty. He survived 
an improvised explosive device attack that struck his convoy last 
November and was awarded a Purple Heart.
  Sergeant Blazer was also a family man. He married his wife, Dana, in 
1989 and they had two children, Alyssa and Erik. As his wife recalls, 
``To know my husband was to love my husband. Everybody loved him and 
admired him and respected him and held him in such high regard. He was 
a hero in his everyday life.''
  Sergeant Blazer was also a Christian. He told relatives he was 
excited to see Iraq because the Bible talks about it and was proud to 
help and serve an oppressed people.
  On December 12, 2004, Sergeant Blazer was killed by enemy small arms 
fire in the city of Fallujah. He was 38 years old. He loved God, 
devoted himself to his family and gave the highest sacrifice to his 
country. He leaves behind many who know what a true hero he is. As a 
son of Oklahoma and a fine example of what this country stands for, 
Staff Sergeant Blazer deserves our honor and remembrance.


                    lance corporal jordan d. winkler

  Mr. President, I wish to honor one of Oklahoma's fallen sons, Marine 
Lance Corporal Jordan Winkler. From an early age he felt called to 
defend our country and the freedom it stands for. For his life of 
service and his final sacrifice, we are eternally indebted to him.
  Corporal Winkler admired the military even before he was old enough 
to join. His parents still have a letter from the Marine Corps that he 
received when he was fifteen. While in Union High School in Tulsa, he 
was active in sports and respected by his peers. Through family friends 
and recruiters, he gained an accurate picture of what would be required 
of him if he joined. During his senior year he was able to pursue his 
dream and joined the Marines through a delayed entry program. Those who 
knew him say he wore the uniform with pride.
  Corporal Winkler is remembered for his determination, honesty and 
integrity. As his teacher Paul Todd said, ``You knew where he stood. He 
lived by his principles and he was a good role model for everyone that 
knew him.''
  After training, he was assigned to the Combat Service Support 
Battalion 1, Combat Service Support Group 11, 1st Force Service Support 
Group, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, normally stationed at Camp 
Pendleton, CA. This unit was deployed to Iraq to contribute to the 
ongoing US effort to rid the country of tyranny and the influence of 
terrorism. On November 26, 2004, in Camp Fallujah, Corporal Winkler 
died in a non-combat incident. He was buried at Tulsa's Memorial Park 
Cemetery with military honors.
  Corporal Winkler made a deep impact on those who knew him, but those 
who most deeply loved him look forward with hope. As his family said in 
a statement, ``Jordan was a dedicated Marine who was proud to be in 
Iraq serving his country and doing his job as a Marine. We will miss 
him more than words can say. However, we know we will see him again. 
Jordan Winkler was a Christian and knew that no matter what happened in 
his life, God was always in control.''
  Lance Corporal Jordan Winkler was worthy of deep respect and embodies 
all the qualities that make our Armed Forces and our country great. He 
was a soldier and a man of integrity, and he will be deeply missed.


                      corporal stephen m. mcgowan

  Mr. CARPER. Mr. President, I would like to set aside a few moments 
today to reflect on the life of Stephen McGowan. Steve epitomized the 
best of our country's brave men and women who fought to free Iraq and 
to secure a new democracy in the Middle East. He exhibited unwavering 
courage, dutiful service to his country, and above all else, honor. In 
the way he lived his life--and how we remember him--Steve reminds each 
of us how good we can be.
  A 1996 graduate of St. Mark's High School, Steve was the son of Ms. 
Bobbie McGowan, a personal friend of my family. Steve then attended the 
University of Delaware and Wilmington College, studying criminal 
justice. He joined the Army 3 years ago, wanting to serve in the Army 
partly because he could not find a job with enough challenge and 
adrenaline in other careers he had considered. According to his family, 
Steve enjoyed the challenge, especially physical challenge and the

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mental challenge that went with a military career--the challenge to try 
harder, get stronger, and push the limits. That was true in all aspects 
of his life. He played soccer until he graduated from high school, but 
when that grew too tame for him, he switched to rugby.
  Steve enlisted on September 17, 2002, and was selected for combat 
medic training, which he pursued with distinction at the U.S. Army 
Medical School at Sam Houston, Texas.
  Before being deployed to Iraq, Stephen earned a parachutist badge at 
the U.S. Army Airborne School and served for approximately 15 months 
with the 2nd Infantry Division near the DMZ in Korea. Steve volunteered 
to join his unit's 2nd Brigade Combat Team to spare medics with spouses 
and children and arrived with the unit in Kuwait in early August 2004. 
Within a few weeks, he deployed to Ramadi, about 45 miles west of 
Baghdad, where his unit supported the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force 
and was responsible for VIP escort, area security and other ``highly 
operated missions.'' He died when an improvised explosive device 
detonated near his military vehicle in Ramadi, Iraq. Before returning 
home, Steve was awarded the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the 
National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Defense Service Medal, Good 
Conduct Medal, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement 
Medal, Armed Service Ribbon, and Global War on Terror Expedition Medal. 
A Bronze Star will be awarded posthumously.

  Steve was a highly regarded young soldier. He joined the military in 
support of Operation Iraqi Freedom because he felt that as a single 
person with no children, he could go and take someone else's spot. His 
family remembers him as the embodiment of pride, honor and dignity. He 
was admired by every man and woman he worked with and every commanding 
officer with whom he served. According to his sister, Michaela, ``Steve 
was raised with the values that you find in the military and he lived 
them. Steve touched so many lives and I'm so proud of the man he 
became.''
  Despite the close calls and the fact U.S. forces in Iraq are fighting 
insurgents who wear civilian clothes and hide among the general 
population, Steve and his squad carried toys and athletic equipment 
with them when they went on patrol. Last year, he asked family and 
friends to send him small items that he could hand out as gifts for 
Iraqi children rather than Christmas presents.
  In one e-mail, he said that Iraqi girls had become entranced by the 
sight of some Beanie Baby dolls the soldiers handed out. The story so 
touched his mother, Bobbie McGowan, that she organized a Beanie Baby 
drive at the Charter School of Wilmington, where she is dean of 
humanities. Students reacted so positively to her request for the dolls 
that she was swamped with them. Students donated so many dolls that she 
had to send them to her son in small lots because he did not have room 
to store them all. His mother, Bobbie, takes comfort in the fact that 
her son had not only saved lives in Iraq as a medic but that he had 
also touched many more lives by passing out toys to children. This was 
a true testament to the kind of soldier--the kind of man--Steve was.
  He was a soccer, biking, and outdoor enthusiast and will be 
remembered especially for his rugby adventures with the University of 
Delaware, the Wilmington's Men League and the 2nd Infantry Division 
Rugby Club. In 2001, Steve took a trip to New Zealand while 
accompanying his rugby mate who was exploring professional rugby 
opportunities. Steve's favorite team was the All Blacks. Traveling in 
New Zealand gave him the opportunity to do what he loved--experience 
new cultures and have a new adventure.
  This tragedy strikes particularly close to home. Stephen's mother, 
Bobbie, is a highly regarded member of the faculty at the Charter 
School of Wilmington, where our sons attend high school. Steve's death 
is a terrible blow to his family and a source of deep sorrow for those 
of us privileged to know his family. I rise today to commemorate Steve, 
to celebrate his life, and to offer his family our support and our 
deepest sympathy on their tragic loss.

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