[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 106 (Friday, July 29, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1675]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING THE LIFE AND SACRIFICE OF ARMY SGT. MICHAEL SCHAFER OF SPRING 
                             HILL, FLORIDA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GINNY BROWN-WAITE

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 28, 2005

  Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the 
life and sacrifice of Army Staff Sergeant Michael Schafer of Spring 
Hill, FL. Sgt. Schafer was killed by enemy fire July 25, 2005 in 
Oruzgan, Afghanistan. He leaves behind his loving wife Danielle, 
parents Karen and Dan Barr, brother Tim, and grandparents Ron Forbes 
and Stand and Loretta Barr. In times when children and families need 
role models to look up to and emulate, Sgt. Schafer was a true American 
hero.
  A volunteer for the Army in 1999, Sgt. Shafer performed his basic 
training at Fort Benning, GA and Airborne training in Fort Bragg, NC. 
After he completed his training, Sgt. Schafer served in both the Iraq 
and Afghanistan wars, as well as Kosovo. A proud member of C Company, 
2nd Batallion, 503rd Infantry, 173rd Airborne Brigade, Sgt. Schafer was 
one of the first paratroopers to jump into Kirkuk, Iraq during the 
March, 2003 invasion. Sgt. Shafer served 9 months in Iraq before being 
transferred to Afghanistan, and had expressed interest in going back to 
Iraq to be where the action was.
  In addition to serving honorably in the United States Army, Sgt. 
Schafer was a true and dedicated family man. Married to his wife 
Danielle within a week of shipping out to Kosovo, the couple was in 
constant contact throughout his tours of duty. At the time of his 
death, Sgt. Schafer and his wife were looking to adopt a baby.
  As a sign of the love for his family, Sgt. Schafer wrote a poem to 
his mother before he left for basic training.
  ``Mother, There comes a time in every boy's life When he leaves the 
warmth of the nest. Perhaps to look for all your qualities in his 
future wife; Or join the working class like the rest. I am standing 
here before you this very day. To let you know when I leave not to 
fear, Because I will never be that far away. And you will always be 
near and dear to my heart, It is where I will keep your love. I know 
that the bond that we have between us cannot be torn apart, And when I 
think of you so beautiful like a white dove, I want you to know that as 
I leave for the Army, If you are feeling scared, do not be afraid to 
show it. Your love for me won't let any one harm me. I will be back 
home before you know it.''
  Mr. Speaker, as a mother and a grandmother, I know the pain that 
comes when a child leaves home for the first time. What Sgt. Schafer's 
family must cope with today, however, is the knowledge that their child 
will not be returning home. I can offer them this pledge, however: that 
this Congress will never forget the sacrifice Sgt. Schafer made serving 
his country.

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