[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 104 (Wednesday, July 27, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9147-S9148]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES


                    Staff Sergeant Jason Montefering

  Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to Army SSG 
Jason Montefering, who died on July

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24, 2005, while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was a member of 
the 3rd Armored Cavalry Division, and was killed when an improvised 
explosive device, IED, detonated near his military vehicle in Baghdad.
  A graduate of Parkston High School, Staff Sergeant Montefering was 
serving his second tour of duty in Iraq. He will be remembered as a 
hard worker who was always ready to get his hands dirty, according to 
his former employer. While in high school, Jason worked part time at 
Murtha Repair in Parkston. Owner John Murtha remarked that Jason 
``would sweep up and then help the mechanics. All of the guys liked 
working with him. He was a real good kid.''
  Staff Sergeant Montefering is the 11th servicemember from South 
Dakota killed during hostilities in Iraq. He served our country with 
honor and died a hero defending it. My thoughts and prayers are with 
his family during this difficult time, as well as all those who have 
loved ones serving overseas.
  I commend Staff Sergeant Montefering's commitment to his family, his 
Nation, and his community. Without question, his dedication to helping 
others will serve as his greatest legacy, and our Nation is a far 
better place because of Staff Sergeant Montefering's contributions.
  I join all South Dakotans in expressing my sympathies to the friends 
and family of Staff Sergeant Montefering. I know he will be deeply 
missed, but his service to our Nation will never be forgotten.


                      Sergeant Jason T. Palmerton

  Mr. HAGEL. Mr. President, I rise to express my sympathy over the loss 
of SGT Jason T. Palmerton of Auburn, NE, a Green Beret in the U.S. 
Army. Sergeant Palmerton was killed by small arms fire while on foot 
patrol on July 23 in Qal'eh-Yegaz, Afghanistan. He was 25 years old.
  Sergeant Palmerton was born in Hamburg, IA, and grew up in Nebraska. 
He graduated from Auburn High School in 1998 and enlisted in the Army 
in 2002. Sergeant Palmerton was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 3rd 
Special Forces Group based in Fort Bragg, NC, and had been in 
Afghanistan for 6 weeks. He had learned Arabic and was working as a 
communications specialist. Sergeant Palmerton will be remembered as a 
loyal soldier who had a strong sense of duty, honor, and love of 
country. Thousands of brave Americans like Sergeant Palmerton are 
currently serving in Afghanistan.
  Sergeant Palmerton is survived by his mother Denise Brown, of Auburn; 
father Steve Palmerton of Norman, OK; sisters, Elizabeth Schlange of 
Auburn, Amanda Palmerton of Omaha and Chelsea Palmerton of Norman; 
grandparents, Herman and Alice Moenning of Lincoln, and Thomas 
Palmerton of Brownville; and fiance Shelley Austin of North Carolina. 
Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this difficult time. America 
is proud of Sergeant Palmerton's heroic service and mourns his loss.
  I ask my colleagues to join me and all Americans in honoring SGT 
Jason T. Palmerton.

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