[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 86 (Friday, June 24, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1344]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING SPECIALIST BRANDON SABETTI

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GREG WALDEN

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 24, 2005

  Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
heroic action of one of our brave soldiers serving in Operation Iraqi 
Freedom.
  Specialist Brandon Sabetti of Mosier is a member of the National 
Guard from my home state of Oregon. He was called to active duty with 
Alpha Company of the Third Battalion of the 116th Cavalry and conducted 
training exercises at Ft. Polk, Louisiana and Ft. Bliss, Texas before 
transferring to Iraq at the end of last year. I had the honor of 
meeting with many of the citizen soldiers who comprise Alpha Company 
when I visited both forts during their training.
  Since that time he conducted regular mobile infantry missions to 
secure dangerous areas of Iraq and to help Iraqis rebuild their country 
after decades under Saddam Hussein's ruthless regime. On the morning of 
June 3rd, he was traveling in a convoy toward Forward Operating Base 
Warrior near Kirkuk as part of a road-clearing mission when the vehicle 
in which he was riding was struck by a roadside bomb.
  Spc. Sabetti, the gunner and designated combat lifesaver in his 
vehicle, was sitting in the open turret at the top of the Humvee and 
was ejected upon impact. He immediately got back on his feet and began 
triaging his wounded companions--dressing their wounds and 
administering intravenous fluids. He quickly ran to the second vehicle 
in the convoy to report the injuries and share the need for a quick 
medical evacuation.
  He jumped into the third Humvee, which was pulling into position to 
provide security to the injured when a second bomb detonated, 
destroying that vehicle as well. Undaunted, Sabetti again went to work 
administering medical care to those wounded in the second attack and 
assisting in their evacuation after additional support arrived.
  Sabetti's heroic courage under fire and willingness to attend to the 
needs of his comrades despite risk to himself was central to ensuring 
that none of the ten Oregon Guardsmen injured in the attack lost their 
lives.
  Mr. Speaker, this young man exemplifies the honorable character of 
the men and women who have answered duty's call throughout our Nation's 
history. His willingness to serve and sacrifice for our country and his 
fellow soldiers is a clear demonstration of the courage and 
professionalism that distinguish our armed forces. This grateful Nation 
owes Spc. Sabetti and his compatriots in arms serving around the world 
every day a profound debt of gratitude. I am proud to call him a fellow 
Oregonian and I thank him deeply for his service.
  God bless America.




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