[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 94 (Wednesday, July 13, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S8206]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


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                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES


            In Honor Of Private First Class Eric Paul Woods

  Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. Mr. President, I rise today to honor PFC Eric 
Paul Woods of Omaha, NE.
  Private First Class Woods served his country with the utmost bravery. 
A graduate of Urbandale High School in Urbandale, IA, Woods moved to 
Omaha 5 years ago, joining the Army in April 2004 as a medic with the G 
Troop, 2nd Squadron of the 3rd Army Cavalry. He was based out of Fort 
Carson, CO. Seven years earlier, Private First Class Woods met his wife 
Jamie, also of the Des Moines area. The two were wed a year later on 
their first anniversary as a couple. On March 8, 2005, Private First 
Class Woods was deployed for his first tour in Iraq.
  On July 9, 2005, Private First Class Woods was killed in action while 
serving courageously in Iraq. While bravely attempting to save the life 
of a wounded soldier near Tal Afar, Iraq, he sustained fatal wounds as 
an improvised explosive device detonated near the side of the road. His 
courage should be an example to all, as days before he turned down an 
offer to be moved away from the front lines. His dedication to both his 
fellow soldiers and his country clearly display both his valor and 
resolve.
  Private First Class Woods is survived by his wife Jamie and his 3-
year old son Eric Scott, among numerous other friends, family, and 
countrymen who proudly honor and remember his sacrifice. I would like 
to offer my sincere thoughts and prayers to Private First Class Woods' 
family. His selfless commitment to his country will not be forgotten. 
Private First Class Woods will be remembered as a man who honored, 
served, and died for the liberties and freedoms of all Americans and 
Nebraskans.


                 PETTY OFFICER 2ND CLASS DANNY P. DIETZ

  Mr. SALAZAR. Mr. President, I rise today to commemorate an 
outstanding Coloradan who made the ultimate sacrifice for all of us: 
Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Danny Philip Dietz, Jr.
  Petty Officer Dietz was a native of Littleton, CO, and was a member 
of the Navy's elite fighting force, the SEALs. He was killed in 
Afghanistan after an unsuccessful rescue attempt. He was just 25 years 
old about to embark on his fifth year of service to our Nation.
  Petty Officer Dietz, D.J. to his friends and family, joined the Navy 
in 1999 after graduating Heritage High School where he played football. 
Serving his country as a Navy SEAL was Petty Officer Dietz's dream. He 
spent his spare time in high school swimming and building his strength 
to make him a better candidate for this elite program. He spent years 
in training to become part of a specialized SEAL reconnaissance team.
  In doing so, Danny Dietz took his first step toward becoming a hero 
for America.
  When Petty Officer Dietz left for his most recent deployment in April 
out of Virginia Beach, just a few hours from where we are tonight, he 
told his wife that he was going to do something special for his Nation. 
He did for all of us, including one of his fellow soldiers who was 
rescued from those Afghan mountains, where Petty Officer Dietz was lost 
to us.
  Matthew 5:9 teaches us, ``Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall 
be called sons of God.'' Petty Officer Dietz brave actions overseas are 
the kind of heroism of which you should be extraordinarily proud and to 
which all aspire. Petty Officer Dietz's service to the people of the 
United States is a gift for which we are all profoundly grateful and 
will never forget.
  Petty Officer 2nd Class Danny Philip Dietz, Jr. served this Nation 
with extraordinary courage, honor and distinction in fighting for our 
freedom and liberties. To his wife Maria and his entire family, I can 
only offer my deepest condolences at your loss. The thoughts and 
prayers of an entire Nation are with you.

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