[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 83 (Tuesday, June 21, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S6906]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES


       TYLER L. CREAMEAN, DUSTIN C. FISHER, AND PHILLIP N. SAYLES

  Mrs. LINCOLN. Mr. President, today I rise with a heavy heart to honor 
the lives of three very special Arkansans; Army Specialists Phillip N. 
Sayles, Tyler L. Creamean, and Dustin C. Fisher. They will be 
remembered by their family and friends as loving souls who lived their 
lives with energy and passion; they will be remembered by their Nation 
as dedicated soldiers who bravely answered their Nation's call to 
service and gave their lives in the defense of our freedom.
  Those who knew Phillip Sayles often spoke of his quiet demeanor and 
the way he showed determination whenever there was a task at hand, 
focusing on getting the job done and never complaining. He called the 
central Arkansas town of Jacksonville home, and attended nearby North 
Pulaski High School. In school, he was active in the ROTC program, 
where his leadership skills and discipline quickly distinguished him 
with the qualities of a soldier. Spc. Sayles transferred to Cabot High 
School for his senior year and, upon his graduation in 1997, enlisted 
in the U.S. Army.
  Despite being born in Texas, Tyler Creamean also spent most of his 
childhood in Jacksonville. Known for his energy and his light-hearted 
nature, he had a personality that allowed him to make friends with 
nearly everyone he encountered. He was also known for playing pranks 
and causing mischief but did not have a mean bone in his body. Instead, 
he had a gift for lightening dark moods and bringing a quick smile to 
the faces of those around him when they needed it most. Spc. Creamean 
attended Jacksonville High School but left after his sophomore year to 
join the Youth ChalleNGe Program, a 22-week program sponsored by the 
Arkansas National Guard to help young adults develop as leaders, earn 
their G.E.D. and acquire the skills necessary to succeed in life. It 
was an opportunity for Spc. Creamean to learn more about himself and 
what he wanted in life, and he did just that. He went on to earn the 
program's spirit award and shortly after his graduation, he joined the 
Army in April of 2003.
  Spc. Sayles and Spc. Creamean were both a part of the Army's 25th 
Infantry Division and spent time at Fort Lewis in Washington prior to 
their service in Operation Iraqi Freedom. While in Iraq, Spc. Creamean 
served with the 73rd Engineer Company and conducted more than 600 
patrols, sweeping roads for explosive devices and clearing the way so 
that fellow soldiers as well as Iraqi civilians could pass through 
safely. In late February, he returned home on leave and on February 24, 
his 21st birthday, he married the love of his life, his girlfriend 
KaMisha. KaMisha, also a soldier, was stationed at Fort Still, OK, and 
had begun preparations for her deployment to Iraq. As a result, Spc. 
Creamean now set his sights on reenlistment, so that his new wife would 
not have to serve in Iraq without him nearby.
  Dustin Fisher was born in the Northwest Arkansas town of Fort Smith. 
He spent his childhood as many children do; hanging out with his 
friends, playing sports, and making life difficult for his sister. He 
was a fun-loving person who had a gift for story-telling and was always 
quick with a sarcastic remark to lighten a conversation. If looking for 
him, he could often be found cruising around town in his pink pickup 
truck, a gift from his father that he used to draw attention and meet 
girls.
  Upon his graduation from Van Buren High School in 2001, Spc. Fisher 
tried a year of college but found it was not for him. It became 
apparent that he wanted to make something of himself, so he followed 
his father and brother into military service. Shortly after joining the 
U.S. Army, he was sent down to Fort Stewart, GA. At Fort Stewart, he 
not only seemed to find his niche in life, but he also met his soul 
mate, a young woman named Alicia. Her presence made him truly happy and 
two were married just days before his deployment to Iraq in late 
January.
  While serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Spc. Fisher's mission often 
entailed escorting dignitaries across the war-torn country. Although it 
placed him in ever-present danger, he downplayed its significance to 
comfort his family and friends. Although he had originally thought of 
re-enlisting, he now considered returning home to be with Alicia and 
potentially become a firefighter. He had last been home for Christmas, 
and was looking forward to returning for a 2-week leave in late June.
  Despite the many differences between these three Arkansans, each was 
a true soldier in every way. Not only did they share a love for their 
country, but they embodied a selfless courage in the name of freedom 
that continually put them in harm's way. One week in late May would 
ensure their fates would forever be intertwined. Early on May 22, while 
routinely sweeping a stretch of the main highway south of Mosul, Spc. 
Creamean's military vehicle hit a roadside bomb that killed him and a 
fellow soldier. On May 24, while escorting a high-ranking Iraqi 
official, Spc. Fisher was one of three soldiers killed when a car bomb 
exploded near their convoy. On May 28, Spc. Sayles was checking for 
weapons in three cars that had been pulled over by American troops in 
Mosul. An improvised explosive device was detonated nearby, killing him 
and wounding 21 others; including 13 American troops and 8 Iraqi 
civilians.
  Words cannot adequately express the sorrow felt in the hearts of the 
families and loved ones of Phillip Sayles, Tyler Creamean, and Dustin 
Fisher, but I pray they can find solace in the courageous way they 
lived their lives. Although they may no longer be with us, their spirit 
will forever live on in the examples they set and the many lives they 
touched. My thoughts and prayers go out to their families, their 
friends, and to all those who knew and loved them.

                          ____________________