[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 53 (Wednesday, April 27, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E786]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          IN HONOR OF STAFF SERGEANT KIMBERLY FAHNESTOCK VOELZ

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BILL SHUSTER

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 27, 2005

  Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of a young woman who 
made the ultimate sacrifice for her country. Staff Sergeant Kimberly 
Fahnestock Voelz of Cumberland County Pennsylvania died December 14, 
2003 in Iraq from injuries sustained on the battlefield. A Leader of 
the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team, Kimberly was fatally injured 
performing her duties with the EOD while approaching a suspicious 
device outside of Fallujah, 40 miles west of Baghdad. She is credited 
by her superiors as saving countless lives.
  Born in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania on August 24, 1976 to Floyd Jr. and 
Carol (Mardis) Fahnestock Kimberly graduated from Trinity High School 
and joined the Army after briefly studying at Wilson College in 
Chambersburg, PA. She was also a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church 
in Mechanicsburg.
  Serving with the 703rd Ordnance Company, 2nd Explosive Ordnance 
Disposal (EOD) stationed at Fort Knox, Kentucky, Staff Sergeant Voelz 
began her tour of duty in Iraq in September 2003. During her time of 
service to her country, she was awarded the Army Commendation Medal, 
the Army Achievement Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, two Good Conduct 
Medals, and a National Defense Service Medal. Sergeant Voelz was also 
Posthumously awarded the Bronze Star for Valor, the Purple Heart, and 
the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal for her service in 
Iraq. Kimberly was the first female soldier from Pennsylvania to die 
serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
  Described as a bright, talented self-starter, Voelz loved what she 
did, plain and simple. She reenlisted for another 10 years of service 
shortly before her death. Voelz chose EOD because it was something 
different, and it took her all over the world. She was often assigned 
Secret Security detail ensuring government facilities were free of 
explosives, including events such as the 2002 Winter Olympics and a 
visit by the late Pope John Paul II to St. Louis.
  Staff Sergeant Kimberly Fahnestock Voelz will be honored in a 
ceremony at Letterkenny Army Depot in Carlisle, Pennsylvania on May 
2nd, 2005. Upon the recent completion of a new security gate, it will 
now bear Kimberly's name in honor of her service and sacrifice to the 
security of this nation. It is a fitting tribute that validates both 
her distinguished work as an Ordnance Soldier and Letterkenny's mission 
to support national security.
  Mr. Speaker, I extend my heartfelt condolences to her husband 
Sergeant First Class Max Voelz, who was holding Kimberly in his arms 
when she died from her injuries. To her parents, brothers Chad, Mark 
and sister Kelly, who proudly and deservedly esteem Kimberly ``their 
hero''. We are humbly indebted to them for their sacrifice and a 
grateful nation honors Kimberly's memory.

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