[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 25 (Thursday, March 2, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S1639]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES


                     staff sergeant gregson gourley

  Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, it is my solemn duty to rise before the 
Senate to pay tribute to one of the great sons of Utah, SSG Gregson 
Gourley.
  Sergeant Gourley, who grew up in Sandy and Midvale, UT was killed 
last week with three other members of the 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry 
Regiment, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) near Hawijah, Iraq.
  As I sat down to learn more about Sergeant Gourley's life, I was 
struck by his dedication to service. He first served as a missionary in 
Pennsylvania for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, then 
spent 16 years as a member of our Armed Forces. His aspiration for the 
future was to begin a career in law enforcement.
  According to what his comrades have said, Sergeant Gourley's service 
surpassed the motto of his battalion: ``Above the Rest.'' Not 
surprisingly, he had previously been decorated for meritorious service.
  I believe that his grandmother, Adena Gourley, said it best, when 
reflecting on the sergeant's life:

       He was a very gentle person. He has a great desire to be an 
     outstanding soldier and an outstanding man.

  Mrs. Gourley, I can say that, by all accounts, he achieved those 
goals.
  Sergeant Gourley's passing is a further tragedy because he leaves 
behind a wife, three sons under the age of 10, and a newborn daughter.
  To his boys, and especially little Alexa, over the years you will 
learn more about your father and that he was a remarkable man. But you 
should always remember that your father was a hero, a man anyone would 
be proud to call father, and our country will forever owe a debt of 
great gratitude to him for his unselfish service to our country.
  I hope my colleagues will all join me in saluting the bravery of 
Sergeant Gourley, and in sending our condolences, prayers, and best 
wishes to his family during their time of sorrow.


                        Sergeant Rickey E. Jones

  Mr. BAYH. Mr. President, I rise today with a heavy heart and deep 
sense of gratitude to honor the life of a brave young man from Kokomo. 
Sergeant Rickey Jones, 22 years old, was one of four soldiers who died 
on February 22 when their vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb during a 
patrol near Hawijah, 150 miles north of Baghdad. With his entire life 
before him, Rickey risked everything to fight for the values Americans 
hold close to our hearts, in a land halfway around the world.
  A 2002 graduate of Kokomo High School, Rickey joined the Army because 
of concerns about a tight local job market at the time. After his first 
tour in Iraq, he returned with a new world view and volunteered for a 
second tour of duty. His mother told local media that the change in her 
son was unmistakable and that during his time in the Army, Rickey had 
matured into a man and a true soldier. Rickey's brother, Michael, spoke 
of his admiration for Rickey's patriotism, saying, ``Rickey was proud 
of what he did and proud to serve his country. He died proud.'' Other 
family members fondly recalled that Rickey was a loving person and the 
pride of his family, who simply wanted to help ensure a better quality 
of life for Iraqi children.
  Rickey was killed while serving his country in Operation Iraqi 
Freedom. He was a member of the 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 
101st Airborne Division based at Fort Campbell, KY. Today, I join 
Rickey's family and friends in mourning his death. While we struggle to 
bear our sorrow over this loss, we can also take pride in the example 
he set, bravely fighting to make the world a safer place. It is his 
courage and strength of character that people will remember when they 
think of Rickey, a memory that will burn brightly during these 
continuing days of conflict and grief.
  Rickey was known for his dedication to his family and his love of 
country. Today and always, Rickey will be remembered by family members, 
friends and fellow Hoosiers as a true American hero, and we honor the 
sacrifice he made while dutifully serving his country.
  As I search for words to do justice in honoring Rickey's sacrifice, I 
am reminded of President Lincoln's remarks as he addressed the families 
of the fallen soldiers in Gettysburg: ``We cannot dedicate, we cannot 
consecrate, we cannot hallow this ground. The brave men, living and 
dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power 
to add or detract. The world will little note nor long remember what we 
say here, but it can never forget what they did here.'' This statement 
is just as true today as it was nearly 150 years ago, as I am certain 
that the impact of Rickey's actions will live on far longer that any 
record of these words.
  It is my sad duty to enter the name of Rickey Jones in the official 
record of the United States Senate for his service to this country and 
for his profound commitment to freedom, democracy and peace. When I 
think about this just cause in which we are engaged, and the 
unfortunate pain that comes with the loss of our heroes, I hope that 
families like Rickey's can find comfort in the words of the prophet 
Isaiah who said, ``He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord 
God will wipe away tears from off all faces.''
  May God grant strength and peace to those who mourn, and may God be 
with all of you, as I know He is with Rickey.

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