[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 55 (Tuesday, May 9, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4207-S4208]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES


                    Staff Sergeant Joseph E. Proctor

  Mr. BAYH. Mr. President, I rise today with a heavy heart and deep 
sense of gratitude to honor the life of a brave man from Indianapolis. 
Joseph E. Proctor, 38 years old, was killed on May 2 in a suicide 
bombing near his observation post in Iraq. Leaving his life and family 
behind him, Joseph risked everything to fight for the values Americans 
hold close to our hearts, in a land halfway around the world.
  After September 11, many Americans, including Joseph, felt a deep 
calling to help their country in its time of need. In the wake of the 
attacks, despite his family's concerns over his safety, Joseph signed 
up for the Indiana National Guard, where he had served 20 years ago as 
a young man. After his Guard service in the mid-1980s, he went into the 
Army on active duty and served in Desert Storm. Joseph re-enlisted in 
the Guard in 2002, and began work as a refueler in Iraq. His brother 
Eddie told a local news outlet that Joseph had seen his military 
service as a way to help out fellow soldiers. He recounted Joseph's 
selflessness, saying that one of the reasons Joseph went to Iraq was to 
give other soldiers a break to come home and see their families. At the 
time of his death, he was supposed to return home in just 2 weeks.
  Joseph was killed while serving his country in Operation Iraqi 
Freedom. He was assigned to the 638th Aviation Support Battalion in 
Noblesville. This brave soldier leaves behind his wife, Beth, and three 
children, Joe, 20, Cassandra, 17, and Adam, 11, years old.
  Today, I join Joseph'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 Joseph, a memory that will burn brightly 
during these continuing days of conflict and grief.
  Joseph was known for his dedication to his family and his love of 
country. Today and always, Joseph 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 Joseph'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 Joseph's actions will live on far longer that any 
record of these words.
  It is my sad duty to enter the name of Joseph Proctor in the official 
record

[[Page S4208]]

of the U.S. 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 Joseph'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 Joseph.


                     Honoring Corporal Eric Lueken

  Mr. President, I rise today with a heavy heart and deep sense of 
gratitude to honor the life of a brave young Marine from Southern 
Indiana. Eric Lueken, 23 years old, died on April 22 in combat 
operations in the Anbar province of Iraq. With his entire life before 
him, Eric risked everything to fight for the values Americans hold 
close to our hearts, in a land halfway around the world.
  A 2001 graduate of Northeast Dubois High School, Eric joined the 
Marine Corps in October 2003 to challenge himself and see the world. He 
previously served in Afghanistan for 8 months, before heading out to 
Iraq in March. He was a decorated war hero, who was awarded with a 
Purple Heart, two Combat Action Ribbons, a National Defense Service 
Medal, a Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Iraq and Afghanistan Service 
Medals and the Global War on Terror Service Medal. A Marine who took 
his work seriously, Eric had planned to marry his girlfriend Ericka 
Merkel upon his return from Iraq. She told a local paper, ``He always 
put other people before him.'' I stand here today to express my 
gratitude for Eric's sacrifice and that of his family and loved ones.
  Eric was killed while serving his country in Operation Iraqi Freedom. 
He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine 
Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force based at Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. 
This brave young soldier leaves behind his parents Glenn ``Jake'' and 
Melinda Lueken, and his brother Brent.
  Today, I join Eric'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 Eric, a memory that will burn brightly 
during these continuing days of conflict and grief.
  Eric was known for his dedication to his family and his love of 
country. Today and always, Eric 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 Eric'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 Eric's actions will live on far longer that any 
record of these words.
  It is my sad duty to enter the name of Eric Lueken in the official 
record of the U.S. 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 Eric'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 Eric.


               Honoring Staff Sergeant Eric A. Mc Intosh

  Mr. President, I rise today with a heavy heart and deep sense of 
gratitude to honor the life of a brave young man from Indianapolis. 
Eric McIntosh, 29 years old, was one of three Marines killed on April 2 
during combat operations in the Anbar province of Iraq. With his entire 
life before him, Eric risked everything to fight for the values 
Americans hold close to our hearts, in a land halfway around the world.
  A former Roncalli High School student, Eric had been in the Marines 
for 10 years and was on his second tour in Iraq when he was killed. 
Although he graduated high school unsure of what he wanted to do with 
his life, he found purpose during his time as a Marine. After 
completing his second tour, he hoped to become a recruiter for the 
military. Despite having battled asthma as a child, Eric was an avid 
athlete and an enthusiastic surfer. His brother Richard, who served in 
the Army during the Gulf War, recalled his pride in Eric and Eric's 
passion for his job. ``He loved the Marines. He loved his job,'' said 
Richard. ``He was a way better soldier than I was.''
  Eric was killed while serving his country in Operation Iraqi Freedom. 
He was a member of the 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine 
Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force. This brave young soldier 
leaves behind his mother Betty, his brother Richard, his sister Lisa 
Schoenly; and his wife Cynthia.
  Today, I join Eric'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 Eric, a memory that will burn brightly 
during these continuing days of conflict and grief.
  Eric was known for his dedication to his family and his love of 
country. Today and always, Eric 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 Eric'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 Eric's actions will live on far longer that any 
record of these words.
  It is my sad duty to enter the name of Eric McIntosh in the official 
record of the U.S. 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 Eric'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 Eric.

                          ____________________