[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 127 (Tuesday, October 4, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S10968-S10971]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            MORNING BUSINESS

                                 ______
                                 

                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES


                      Army Specialist Allen Nolan

  Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to Army SP 
Allen Nolan, from Marietta, OH, who was severely injured in Balad, 
Iraq, while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom. He died from his 
injuries on September 30, 2004, at the Brook Army Medical Center in 
Houston, Texas. He was 38 years old.
  Throughout Allen's life, he touched countless people. His family and 
close friends describe his loyalty and devotion to his family, his 
community, his church, and his country. Allen's strong religious faith 
was central to him. As Pastor Ray Witmer III, of Faith Bible Church in 
Williamstown, OH, where Allen and his family were members, said this 
about Allen:

       The phrase that keeps coming to mind--words that Allen 
     actually had said many times--is that he is a father, 
     husband, son, soldier, and foremost, a Christian.

  Allen Nolan was all of those things--and more. Robin Nolan described 
her brother-in-law as a ``strong family man who enjoyed hunting and 
fishing.'' She said that ``he was always willing to help out. When my 
husband was ill last winter, he was such a big help. He was a very, 
very good brother and father.''
  Allen Nolan graduated from Warren High School and received an 
associate degree in business from Washington County Technical College. 
Later, he attended The Ohio State University and Ohio Valley College, 
where he earned a bachelor's degree in organizational management. He 
eventually went on to work for Broughton Foods in Marietta and Century 
21 Realty.
  Allen loved his family more than anything else in the world. He and 
his devoted wife, Gail, were the proud parents of five children--Roman, 
Kennan, Euanna, Bobby, and Frankie. Allen was a terrific father--
caring, committed, and supportive of his young family. He protected 
Gail and his children as a husband and father--and also as a soldier.
  Allen loved his country and felt a duty to protect it and make it a 
better place for his family. He served in the Army Reserves for seven 
years as a member of the 660th Transportation Company based out of 
Zanesville, Ohio. As one of the more experienced members of his unit, 
Allen took it upon himself to mentor the younger soldiers.
  Dan Johnson, a close friend in his unit, described Allen as a 
``completely selfless individual. He would drop anything to help 
someone. He talked about his family all the time. I feel very lucky 
that I had the chance to know him and to work with him.'' Johnson 
further emphasized, ``What I remember most about Allen is that he 
always had a `can do' attitude. I never heard him complain or gripe 
about anything. We got to be close friends.''
  SP Robert Lovell, who served with Allen since 1997, also cherished 
their friendship, saying the following:

       Allen was always the first to volunteer. He was deeply 
     committed to his religion. What I miss most about Allen is 
     that he was always there if you needed help or counsel. Allen 
     was one of my best friends and has been since we first met.

  BG Michael W. Beasley, commanding general of the 88th Regional 
Readiness Command, RRC, said that ``Allen was a wonderful soldier. He 
frequently volunteered for the most complex and difficult missions. He 
was also an excellent mentor and trainer of the younger soldiers.'' 
Other men in his company described how he would lead them in prayer 
before going out on a mission. They talked about how much comfort that 
gave them.
  Not surprisingly, though just three months away from retiring from 
the Reserves when his unit was deployed to Iraq in February 2004, Allen 
did not hesitate to fulfill his duty. He and Gail both considered the 
war in Iraq an integral part of the war on terror. Allen believed he 
had a mission to carry out and was ready and willing to do whatever was 
necessary--whatever was needed.
  Allen had been in Iraq 9 months, when he was scheduled to return home 
for 2 weeks on September 20, 2004. However, he was injured on September 
18 when the fuel truck that he was driving north of Baghdad was struck 
by an improvised explosive device and came under a missile attack and a 
small arms fire. Allen was first evacuated to the 31st combat support 
hospital in Baghdad and then to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in 
Germany. A burn team later transported him to Brook Army Medical Center 
in Texas, where he died on September 30, following a second surgery.
  Thankfully, Allen was able to spend his last days and hours 
surrounded by loved ones. Gail and their oldest son, Roman, were able 
to be with him at the hospital. Gail's close friend, Karmen Lockhart, 
said that ``we knew so many people praying for Allen, but God didn't 
answer our prayers the way we wanted. But, I believe he answered 
Allen's prayers, not to take other soldiers, but to take him. I believe 
he gave his life so others could be saved.''
  Pastor Witmer was also able to be with the Nolans at the Army 
hospital in Texas. Pastor Witmer said that ``Allen was sure of his 
eternity.'' His unshakable faith is what allowed him to give so 
generously of himself and make that ultimate sacrifice.
  Young children often have a way of putting even the most tragic of 
events into perspective for us. After learning of his father's death, 
Allen and Gail's son Kennan, who was nine years old at the time, said 
this about his father: ``The Lord must have needed him more than I 
did.'' In those simple, selfless words, this little boy is saying so 
much. His father would be very proud.
  Appropriately, Allen was remembered in a beautiful funeral service 
held at the Faith Bible Church, the center of his spiritual life. 
Nearly 500 people attended the service. Allen received five medals 
posthumously: The Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, the Meritorious 
Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal. 
His medals were presented to Gail at his funeral, which included full 
military honors.
  When I think about the life of Army SP Allen Nolan, I am reminded of 
something tennis great, Arthur Ashe, once said about what it means to 
be a hero. He said that ``true heroism is remarkably sober--very 
undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, 
but the urge to serve others at whatever cost.'' That's Allen Nolan. He 
was a noble man willing to serve others--his family, his fellow 
soldiers, his country--at whatever cost. And for that, we will never 
forget him.
  I know that Allen's family and friends will forever cherish the 
memory of their son, brother, husband, and father, whose love knew no 
bounds. They all remain in our thoughts and prayers.


                     Army Corporal Kevin W. Prince

  Mr. President, this afternoon I also wish to honor and to remember a 
fellow Ohioan and a brave soldier. Army CPL Kevin W. Prince, of Plain 
City, OH, was killed on April 23, 2005, when a homemade bomb detonated 
under his Humvee. Corporal Prince was on patrol in Iskandariyah, Iraq. 
At the time of his death, He was 22 years old.

[[Page S10969]]

  Kevin was born on July 13, 1982, in Canton, OH, to loving parents, 
Ronald and Susan Prince. When he was 2 years old, his family moved to 
Plain City, where he grew up. As a youth, Kevin worked part time in his 
parent's restaurant, the ``Main Street Bagel and Deli, and attended 
Alder High School, where he played soccer and ran cross country. 
Principal Phil Harris remembers Kevin as a decent young man, who was 
honest and caring. He was always standing up for the underdogs--the 
kids who were being picked on or bullied. He made sure they were okay--
that they were protected.
  Inside and outside of school, Kevin lived life to the fullest. He 
enjoyed reading, watching movies, running, and playing video games. 
Kevin also enjoyed playing soccer, something he had done since the age 
of 5. His grandfather tells a story about one of Kevin's earliest 
matches. Kevin had the ball and was running down the field--but in the 
wrong direction. Kevin's grandfather shouted at him to turn around, 
which he did, but only long enough to shout ``Be quiet, Grampa!'' He 
kept on running down the field--the wrong way. Evidently, Kevin had a 
bit of stubborn streak.
  After graduating from high school, Kevin decided to join the 
military. He planned to attend college when his term of service ended. 
His father, a Navy veteran, tried his best to convince Kevin to become 
a fellow sailor, but Kevin refused. He wanted to be a soldier, and so, 
in 2001, he enlisted in the Army.
  Kevin went through boot camp at Fort Benning, GA, where he finished 
in October 2002. By January 2003, he was sent to Fort Irwin, CA, where 
he joined the Army's 2nd Division, 11th Armored Cavalry, Echo Troop. At 
Fort Irwin, Kevin trained other soldiers in the extreme conditions of 
the Mojave Desert to prepare them for the heat and dust of Iraq's 
deserts.
  On January 9, 2005, Kevin's unit was deployed to Iraq, where they 
patrolled the area south of Baghdad. Months after Kevin arrived in 
Iraq, he began April 23 like any other day. He called home and spoke to 
his parents. He chatted with his sister and brother over the Internet. 
Only a few hours later, a roadside bomb detonated under his vehicle. In 
that tragic moment, the Prince family lost their youngest son, and the 
United States lost a very courageous soldier.
  CPL Kevin Prince was more than just a good soldier. He was a good 
citizen. He was a good friend. Chris Holehouse, a close friend of 
Kevin's, spoke of his honesty, selflessness, and integrity:

       His handshake was his word. If he found $2,000 in a wallet, 
     he'd give it back. He was not like anybody else. He wasn't 
     apathetic to what was going on. He wasn't lazy, and he wasn't 
     selfish; he was dependable. He reminded me of those books 
     about Camelot. He reminded me of one of those guys.

  Just as he had in high school, Kevin fought bullying wherever he 
found it, even at Fort Irwin. After Kevin's death, a friend from Fort 
Irwin wrote a brief memorial for the guy who looked out for him and 
became his friend:

       My name is Specialist Nathan Stern. I met Kevin when I 
     first arrived at Fort Irwin. Being a brand new [Private] 
     mechanic, I naturally got a hard time from a lot of the 
     infantry guys. Kevin didn't [give me a hard time]. He helped 
     me out a lot. We became friends over time and hung out 
     outside of work every now and then. Kevin was a rare person 
     to find, and I will miss him.

  Kevin joined the Army to help make the world a better place. And in 
so many ways, he did just that. Those who knew Kevin all say he hated 
bullies. In high school, he stood up for his schoolmates. In the Army, 
he stood up for all of us. He fought for the blessings we sometimes 
take for granted and the principles and ideals on which our Nation was 
founded. He fought for it all, and he gave us his all.
  Today, we honor Kevin Prince. We will remember him always.
  My wife, Fran, and I continue to keep Kevin's many friends and 
family--especially his parents, Ronald and Susan; his sister Kelly; and 
his brother Jason--in our thoughts and in our prayers.


                         ARMY 1LT AARON SEESAN

  Mr. President, I also wish to honor a fellow Ohioan and brave 
soldier. Army First Lieutenant Aaron Seesan of Massillon, OH, was 
gravely injured on May 21, 2005, when his vehicle struck a roadside 
bomb near Mosul, Iraq. Having survived the immediate blast, he was 
transported to a hospital in Germany, where he passed away a short time 
later. Aaron was 24 years old.
  Aaron's dedication and sacrifice knew no bounds. As he lay mortally 
wounded in the moments following the explosion, he thought not of 
himself, but of his fellow soldiers around him. Instead of calling out 
for help, he ordered his troops to tend to other injured soldiers. 
Those who witnessed First Lieutenant Seesan's incredible act of bravery 
remember his words: ``Take charge Sergeant Arnold, and take care of the 
others.'' This last act of selflessness defined Aaron's character, his 
heroism, his courage.
  Aaron attended Massillon Washington High School where he was a member 
of the National Honor Society, earned several scholarships, and became 
a delegate to Buckeye Boys State. He played on the offensive line for 
the Tigers football team, and threw the shot put in track. He also 
participated in the drama program, Academic Challenge, and the speech 
team. Aaron was, indeed, a very accomplished young man.
  After high school, he enrolled in the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. 
At the Academy, Aaron was a member of the rifle team and served on the 
school's honor board, which he chaired his senior year. In 2003, the 
day he graduated with a degree in marine systems engineering, Aaron was 
commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army.
  Once in the Army, Aaron volunteered to go to Iraq. He didn't have to 
go. He wanted to go. He joined the 73rd Engineering Company, 1st 
Brigade, 24th Regiment--a unit that had sustained numerous casualties. 
Aaron explained to his father that most other soldiers of his rank have 
families, and that he--as a single man--should go in their place. Aaron 
went to Iraq so that someone he would never meet could stay home with 
his or her family. That is just how Aaron saw the world. To him, this 
was simply the right thing to do.
  The other members of the 73rd sometimes joked about Aaron's maritime 
background. They tell a story about how during live fire exercises, 
Aaron once yelled ``man overboard,'' instead of ``man down'' after a 
mock casualty fell. Though they liked to joke and kid around, his 
fellow soldiers never questioned Aaron's resolve or his dedication to 
his service.
  Not surprisingly, while in Iraq, Aaron took on one of the riskiest 
jobs. As a combat engineer, or sapper, he patrolled the most dangerous 
roads in and around Mosul. While most soldiers did their best to avoid 
roadside bombs, Aaron Seesan looked for them. He was part of a Stryker 
brigade that searched for improvised explosive devices along roadways. 
At a memorial service, LTC Eric Kurilla, commanding officer of the 24th 
regiment, spoke of the inherent risks involved with what Aaron was 
doing:

       A Stryker IED Sweep, by its very name, implies great danger 
     and risk. You are traveling the most heavily mined and bombed 
     roads in Iraq, not trying to avoid the mines and bombs, but 
     actually trying to find them. Why? So that others can travel 
     safely without fear of attack.

  Without ever giving it a second thought, Aaron went out and did his 
job to protect others. As SGT John Pavlick, also of the 73rd, said, 
``[Aaron] fully knew he was walking into a mess. That says a lot about 
him.'' Indeed, it does.
  On May 22, 2005, our country lost a brave soldier and Aaron's family 
lost a loving son and brother. Just hours before he went on his last 
late night explosives sweep, Aaron waited in line until nearly midnight 
to make a phone call home to his family. One last time, Aaron teased 
his two sisters and spoke with his parents. His last words to his 
mother were simply, ``I love you.''
  Upon his death, Aaron posthumously received the Purple Heart, Bronze 
Star, and Army Commendation Medal. His father, Tom, knows that Aaron 
died fulfilling a dream. He knows that Aaron wanted more than anything 
to protect his community and country as a soldier. As he said, 
``[Aaron] always was interested in the military from a small boy. This 
was always something that he wanted to do. He died doing something he 
wanted to do.''
  Tom Heitger, Aaron's good friend since kindergarten, echoed that 
sentiment, saying this about Aaron's sacrifice:


[[Page S10970]]


       The military was all he ever wanted; it was his dream. He 
     was a very hard working man. It has been both an honor and a 
     privilege to call this man my friend, and I'm very proud of 
     him, He made the ultimate sacrifice.

  As I conclude my remarks, I would like to share the heartfelt words 
of one of Aaron's fellow soldiers, PVT BriAnne Ackerson. In an email 
message posted to an Internet tribute in Aaron's honor, she wrote the 
following to Aaron's family:

       Aaron Seesan was an amazing officer. I knew him well. As I 
     served near him in Iraq and became a good friend of his in 
     Kuwait, I realized the potential he had to become such a 
     wonderful officer. He cared so much for so many. He was 
     always asking questions, always wanting to know more. He 
     always smiled and did his job to the tee. Aaron will be 
     missed terribly by so many. . . . I hope this letter brings 
     you blessings. I really miss your son. . . . He meant a lot 
     to me. God Bless all of you.

  Aaron Seesan joined the Army to protect his country. He volunteered 
to go to Iraq to protect families he never met. And, he de-mined roads 
in Iraq to protect the men and women serving alongside him. He never 
stopped giving, even during the last moments of his life.
  Our Nation has lost a truly courageous and selfless young man. May 
his memory endure and inspire greatness in others.
  My wife Fran and I continue to keep Kevin's mom and dad and his 
sisters and brother in our thoughts and in our prayers.


                      Army SSG Richard Morgan, Jr.

  Mr. President, I also wish to pay tribute to a fellow Ohioan and 
dedicated soldier who lost his life while serving in Operation Iraqi 
Freedom. I honor and remember the life of Army SSG Richard Morgan, Jr.
  When I think about the dedication of all our men and women in 
uniform, I am reminded of something President Ronald Reagan once said 
about our obligation to protect freedom. He said this:

       For with the privilege of living in . . . America . . . 
     there is a destiny and a duty, a call to preserve and hold in 
     sacred trust mankind's age-old aspirations of peace and 
     freedom and a better life for generations to come.

  Richard Morgan, Jr., answered the call to preserve freedom. He fought 
for peace. And, he made the world a better place for future 
generations.
  Rik--as Richard was known to family and friends--was born in Dayton, 
OH, on December 20, 1965. He attended St. Clairsville High School, 
where he was one of the original members of the St. Clairsville Singers 
and played on the Red Devil football team. After graduation in 1984, 
Rik briefly worked at Conway Central Express in Uhrichsville, OH, 
before joining the Army, something his friends say he always wanted to 
do.
  Rik loved Army life. He was a dedicated and dependable soldier. He 
participated in Operation Just Cause in Panama from 1989 to 1990, and 
served in the Middle East during Operation Desert Storm. While he was 
certainly proud to serve and to protect and defend freedom, Rik would 
undoubtedly say that one of the best things that came about from his 
time in the Army wasn't so much about his service, but about meeting 
the love of his life, Diana.
  Diana and Rik met while he was serving in Germany almost 20 years 
ago. They fell deeply in love. Friends say they were meant for each 
other. Rik and Diana eventually married and had two wonderful children, 
Richard and Kimberly, whom they raised in Maynard, OH.
  Rik and his family were living in Maynard when the war in Iraq began. 
Having spent a few years out of the full time service as a retired 
Reservist, he did not want to sit on the sidelines. Rik re-enlisted in 
the Army, and with the same excitement he had when he first enlisted so 
many years before.
  Rik's sister, Bonita Girty, said this about Rik's re-enlistment:

       He just loved what he did. He wanted to go back. . . . I 
     don't think anyone could stop him from going. . . . He just 
     liked fighting for his country.

  Rik's friends agreed. They said he ``loved his country and wanted 
nothing more than to serve and protect it.'' He was assigned to the 
660th Transportation Company of the U.S. Army Reserves, based in Cadiz, 
OH. He started serving in Iraq in December 2003. Though thousands of 
miles separated him from his beloved family, Rik kept several Internet 
connections open to stay in touch. His sister Bonita said that her 
brother never indicated feelings of nervousness and made sure never to 
discuss the secret nature of his missions. Rik believed in the war and 
was devoted to his mission.
  Rik and his family had the opportunity to spend time together for 2 
weeks in August 2004, when he was on leave. It was time they all 
cherished. Rik and his wife celebrated their 16th wedding anniversary, 
as well as Diana's birthday before he went back to Iraq. ``He was happy 
to be home,'' his sister recalled. ``He was happy to be here with his 
family.''
  Tragically, that was be the last time Rik would see them. On October 
5, 2004, Rik was killed when his military vehicle hit a landmine in 
Latfiyah, Iraq. He was 38 years of age at the time of his death.
  Rik Morgan forever will be remembered as a loving father, devoted 
husband, attentive son, and caring brother. He touched countless lives.
  Rik was given full military honors at the service held in his honor 
and the Purple Heart and Bronze Star were presented to his family. 
Hundreds gathered to pay their respects to Rik, including members of 
the St. Clairsville football team and Rik's coach from so many years 
ago, Mickey Blatnik.
  I had the privilege of meeting several members of Rik's family, and I 
want to thank them for sharing their memories with me. It was easy to 
see how proud they are of Rik and how supportive they are of each 
other. As Rik's sister Bonita said, ``He's a hero. He was proud to 
fight for his country.''
  In closing, I would like to share an email message that was posted on 
an Internet tribute to Rik. It is a simple message from Mrs. Arthur's 
4th Grade Class in Nelsonville, OH. It reads as follows:

       My class and I want to thank you Richard for helping to 
     keep us all safe. Please know that you will not be forgotten.

  Indeed, Army SSG Richard Morgan will not be forgotten, for he 
answered the call President Reagan talked about to preserve peace and 
freedom. As that email message attests, he was, in fact, making ``a 
better life for generations to come.''
  My wife Fran and I continue to keep Richard's family and friends in 
our thoughts and in our prayers.


                        Army SGT Kurt Schamberg

  Mr. President, this afternoon I also wish to honor a fellow Ohioan 
and brave soldier, Army Sergeant Kurt Schamberg, from Orwell. SGT 
Schamberg died in Baghdad on May 19, 2005, when a roadside bomb 
detonated alongside his Humvee. He was 26 years of age at the time.
  Kurt Schamberg held nothing back from his service to our country. At 
the time of his death, Kurt was almost done with his second tour of 
duty in Iraq. He already had been injured by shrapnel from another 
roadside bombing, but, as soon as he could leave the hospital, Kurt was 
back on patrol with his unit. Over and over, he gave of himself to 
protect others. Sergeant Schamberg was the embodiment of endurance and 
dedication, demonstrating time and time again that he was a model U.S. 
soldier.
  Kurt was born on July 16, 1978, in Warren, OH. He grew up in Orwell, 
where he graduated from Grand Valley High School in 1997. Kurt was an 
energetic and creative young man. He enjoyed sports--especially 
watching the Pittsburgh Steelers--discussing politics, painting, and 
amateur film-making. Though he loved to talk about politics and current 
events, when the need presented itself, Kurt did more than just 
``talk'' about the issues of the day with his friends. He acted. He 
went out into the world to make a difference. After the attacks of 9/
11, Kurt Schamberg decided to enlist in the Army and defend our country 
from the front lines.
  Kurt completed his training at Fort Benning, GA, and was then 
assigned to the 10th Mountain Division out of Fort Drum, NY, where he 
served as an automatic rifleman. His unit fought in the early stages of 
Operation Iraqi Freedom before returning home in March 2004. They again 
deployed again to Iraq in January 2005.
  Kurt Schamberg was a man of great conviction, who fought for what he 
believed in, for what he felt was just and what he felt was right. Kurt 
joined the

[[Page S10971]]

war on terrorism and fought to bring freedom to the Iraqi people 
because he wanted to make the world a stronger, safer, better place for 
all of us. According to Kurt's mother, Pamela Lindsay:

       [Kurt] among all my children was the peace lover. He was 
     always finding a solution to a conflict. He would always 
     fight the good fight, through talking and joking. If we could 
     fight wars without loss of life and limb . . . Kurt would 
     have lived. But . . . he knew that was not possible at this 
     time.

  Sergeant Schamberg loved his family. And, he loved the U.S. Army. He 
helped a new generation of soldiers learn how to protect themselves and 
protect our country. In an email message posted on an Internet tribute 
following Kurt's death, SPC Richard Ellsworth, who was stationed at 
Fort Campbell, KY, at the time, wrote the following:

       [Kurt], I wanted to tell you that your job as an NCO in the 
     Army is not over yet. You still have to take care of your 
     troops! I will be heading to Iraq for the second time very 
     shortly and I will need an outstanding NCO to look up to. I 
     couldn't think of a better soldier than you. You will be 
     missed, but never forgotten. Remember the soldiers' creed and 
     the warrior ethos--and lead your soldiers to victory.

  Kurt Schamberg was an accomplished and well-respected soldier. He was 
also an energetic, loving, good-humored young man, who endeared himself 
to all. Kurt's cousin Katie Schamberg remembers this about him: ``He 
was talented. He was funny. He was just everything. He loved life and 
was proud of what he was doing. . . .''
  Kurt lived life to its fullest, whether he was fighting in a war or 
watching his beloved Steelers play football or creating his artwork or 
having a lively debate about politics. Everything he did, he did it 
with passion and zeal and with a love for life.
  I would like to close my remarks with something that Kurt's friend 
Tiffany from Cleveland wrote in his honor:

       Kurt was a wonderful, charismatic and brave individual. He 
     had the remarkable talent of making people laugh. I will 
     always remember him for this. I am immensely saddened by the 
     loss, as is everyone who was privileged enough to know him in 
     this life. Kurt was loved by many and [was] a true friend. My 
     sympathy goes out to Lance and Kurt's family. Farewell Kurt. 
     You will surely be missed.

  My wife Fran and I continue to keep Kurt's family in our thoughts and 
prayers.

                          ____________________