[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 45 (Friday, April 15, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3732-S3733]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES


                        SERGEANT JAMES SHAWN LEE

  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 Mount 
Vernon. Sergeant Lee, 26 years old, died on April 6 in a military 
helicopter crash near Ghazni city, 80 miles southwest of Kabul. With 
his entire life before him, Jimmy Shawn risked everything to fight for 
the values Americans hold close to our hearts, in a land halfway around 
the world.
  A 1997 graduate of Mount Vernon High School, Jimmy Shawn had served 
in the Marines for 8 years. Friends and family describe him as a man 
who grew up longing to serve God and country. Jimmy was a devout 
Christian who aspired to travel the world as a missionary. His half-
sister, Destiny Dowden, recounted that Jimmy Shawn was ``the most 
honest, loving, giving and fun-loving person I ever met.'' His mother 
shared her pride in Jimmy Shawn's accomplishments, calling him ``our 
family's hero.''
  Jimmy Shawn was killed while serving his country in Operation 
Enduring Freedom. This brave young soldier leaves behind his mother, 
Becky Blanchard and his half-sister, Destiny Dowden.
  Today, I join Jimmy Shawn's family and friends 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 Jimmy Shawn, a memory that will burn 
brightly during these continuing days of conflict and grief.

[[Page S3733]]

  Jimmy Shawn was known for his deep faith, his dedication to his 
family and his love of country. Today and always, Jimmy Shawn 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 Jimmy Shawn'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 Jimmy Shawn's actions will live 
on far longer than any record of these words.
  It is my sad duty to enter the name of Sergeant James Shawn Lee 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 Jimmy Shawn'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 Jimmy Shawn.

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