[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 106 (Friday, July 29, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1681]
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 Stan 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. Schafer 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 Battalion, 503rd Infantry, 173rd Airborne Brigade, Sgt. Schafer was 
one of the first paratroopers to jump into Kirkuk, Iraq during the 
March, 2003 invasion. Sgt. Schafer served nine 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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