[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 82 (Monday, June 20, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1281]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              TRIBUTE TO ARMY SPECIALIST LOUIS NIEDERMEIER

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. C. W. BILL YOUNG

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 20, 2005

  Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Army 
Specialist Louis E. Niedermeier of Largo, Florida, who gave the last 
full measure of service to our nation while serving in Iraq.
  Our nation buried Louis with full military honors this afternoon at 
Arlington National Cemetery following his death by sniper fire in Ar 
Ramadi, Iraq on June 1st while serving with his Headquarters Battery, 
2nd Battalion, 17th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division. He 
died just 2 weeks short of his 21st birthday.
  Louis was a soldier's soldier. He wanted to enlist in the Army 
immediately after the events of 9-11, but he was only 17. His day came 
though as soon as he graduated from Pinellas Park High School in 2003. 
He followed in his father's footsteps and enlisted in the Army and a 
year later found himself serving in Iraq.
  As a scout, Louis served on the front lines, providing critical 
targeting information to our air and artillery forces. He served with 
pride and with courage to bring about freedom in a land far from home. 
The true testament of Louis' service as a soldier came from the 
remembrances of three soldiers from his unit who served side-by-side 
with him in Iraq. The three were wounded in combat and were stateside 
at the time of Louis' death. They drove 36 hours nonstop from Fort 
Carson, Colorado to be with Louis and his family this afternoon. They 
said they did it because if the roles had been reversed Louis would 
have been there for them.
  Louis' parents Edward A. Niedermeier and Denise A. Hoy were proud of 
their son. They were proud that he chose to serve his Nation in 
uniform. They were proud that he served with distinction to defend the 
principles of freedom and democracy. And they were proud that despite 
the fact that he served halfway around the world, first in Korea and 
then in Iraq, that he never forgot to remember his family and friends 
back home.
  Both Ed and Denise marveled this afternoon that before they knew it 
Louis had grown from a boy into a man. They recounted Louis' love of 
family and country. And they emphasized that if Louis had it to do over 
again, they are convinced he would not have changed a thing.
  Army Sergeant First Class Charles Welsh also attended today's 
services. He not only had the honor of serving with Louis in Iraq, but 
he was Louis' uncle. He recalled the day Louis came to him and told him 
he had enlisted in the Army as one of the proudest moments in this 
young man's life.
  The price of freedom is great and in the case of Louis it was a life 
cut way too short. It was also the tragic interruption of a life 
together Louis had planned with his fiancee Sarah Hatley. Sarah and 
Louis were high school sweethearts who both volunteered to serve their 
Nation in uniform. Sarah is a Seaman serving aboard the U.S.S. 
Fitzgerald, stationed in Yokosuka, Japan. Her ship was underway off the 
coast of Australia when she learned of Louis' death.
  Mr. Speaker, our Nation said goodbye to Specialist Louis E. 
Niedermeier today at Arlington National Cemetery. We said goodbye to a 
brave soldier who proudly wore the uniform in defense of freedom here 
and throughout the world. We said goodbye to a good son, a good nephew, 
and a good friend to so many people. And we said goodbye to the love of 
a young girl's life.
  As the day draws to an end, we can take solace in the fact that 
America sleeps better tonight and every night because of heroes like 
Louis Niedermeier who sacrificed all for the love of country and the 
love of freedom.
  Mr. Speaker, a grateful Nation said thank you today to a courageous 
soldier and I join all my colleagues today in expressing our sorrow and 
our thanks for the life and the service of Louis Niedermeier and to the 
strong and loving family and friends he leaves behind. His was a life 
that was all too short in time but full of love and grace.

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