[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 37 (Tuesday, April 5, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E540-E541]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE TO MASTER SGT MICHAEL T. HIESTER

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MIKE PENCE

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, April 5, 2005

  Mr. PENCE. Mr. Speaker, it is written if you owe debts, pay debts; if 
honor, then honor; if respect, then respect.
  I rise humbly today to pay a debt of honor and respect to Army 
National Guard Master Sergeant Mike Hiester of Bluffton, Indiana.
  As I saw firsthand last December at Camp Phoenix in Kabul, 
Afghanistan, Hoosiers have made an extraordinary difference for freedom 
in Operation Enduring Freedom, and Master Sergeant Mike Hiester was a 
leader of men in that place. His military awards include the Bronze 
Star Medal (posthumous), Purple Heart (posthumous), two Meritorious 
Service Medals, four Army Commendation Medals, two Army Achievement 
Medals, four Good Conduct Medals, three Reserve Components Achievement 
Medals, two National Defense Service Medals, Global War on Terrorism 
expeditionary and Service Medals, Armed Forced Reserve Medal with M 
device and Bronze Hour Glass device, NATO Medal, NCO Professional 
Development Ribbon with ``3'' device, Order of St. George, Pathfinder 
Badge, Combat Infantryman Badge (posthumous) and the German armed 
forces Schutzenschnur. His state awards include the Indiana Long 
Service Medal (2nd award), Indiana Overseas Service Ribbon, and Indiana 
Outside Continental United States Ribbon (2nd award).

[[Page E541]]

  On March 26, 2005, Mike lost his life while fighting to defend 
America in Afghanistan. His military vehicle, with the 76th Infantry 
Brigade, Army National Guard, Indianapolis, struck a land mine 30 miles 
west of Kabul, Afghanistan claiming his life and the lives of three 
other Indiana Army National Guard.
  At his home in Bluffton, Indiana he was known as a loving husband and 
father. He was a member of the Bluffton Fire Department and he will not 
soon be forgotten by this grieving community of Bluffton, which will 
say goodbye to him this week. According to his wife Dawn, ``Mike very 
much believed in the cause for which he gave his life. His entire 
family and friends have supported him in his endeavors.''
  I rise to offer my deepest condolences to his wife, Dawn; his two 
children, Emily and Adam; his parents Thomas and Kay Hiester; his two 
sisters, Megan and Michele; his nephews Casey, Jesse, Kyle and Jared; 
his niece Carley; and all those across northeastern Indiana and all of 
our state who cherish the memory of this hero.
  Master Sergeant Michael Hiester is a hero, whose service and 
sacrifice bolstered the hopes of millions of Americans and Afghanis. 
The memory of his sacrifice and service will forever be emblazoned on 
the hearts of two grateful nations.

                          ____________________