[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 57 (Thursday, May 11, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4464-S4465]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES


                     Staff Sergeant Gregory Wagner

  Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to SSG Greg 
Wagner and his heroic service to our country. As a member of the South 
Dakota National Guard, Staff Sergeant Wagner was deployed to Iraq with 
the Battery C, 1st Battalion, 147th Field Artillery based out of 
Yankton. On May 8, 2006, he died when his convoy was attacked in a 
Baghdad neighborhood.
  Greg graduated in 1989 from Hanson High School in Alexandria. Soon 
after his graduation, he enlisted in the South Dakota National Guard. 
Al Blankenship, the Commander of the American Legion in Alexandria, 
remembers him as a true military man. Dedicated to the South Dakota 
National Guard, he worked full time as a heavy equipment mechanic at 
the National Guard maintenance complex in Mitchell until his unit was 
deployed in October 2005. Greg was a team leader for his unit, which 
was tasked with training and evaluating the Iraqi police force in one 
of the city's police districts.

[[Page S4465]]

  Greg's high school football coach, Jim Haskamp, remembers him as a 
very loyal person, which was evident in all aspects of his life. Greg's 
favorite past time was football. Haskamp recalls that, ``You could chew 
him out for something, and he'd come back and thank you for trying to 
make him better.''
  Sergeant Wagner gave his all for his soldiers and his country. Our 
Nation owes him a debt of gratitude, and the best way to honor his life 
is to emulate his commitment to our country. Mr. President, I join with 
all South Dakotans in expressing my deepest sympathy to the family of 
Staff Sergeant Greg Wagner. He will be missed, but his service to our 
Nation will never be forgotten.


                     first sergeant carlos n. saenz

  Mr. ENSIGN. Mr. President, next week, the family, friends, and 
comrades of 1SG Carlos Saenz will gather to say a final goodbye as he 
is laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery. I pay tribute to his 
life and legacy.
  Carlos Saenz will be buried at Arlington in the company of some of 
this Nation's greatest fighters, leaders, and explorers--men and women 
who changed the course of our country. It is completely fitting that 
Carlos Saenz be laid to rest there because Carlos represents all that 
is great about America.
  Carlos was born in Mexico. He became a naturalized citizen and 
considered himself extremely lucky and proud to be an American, as we 
all should. And for more than 25 years, he gave back to this country 
with every fiber of his being.
  Carlos entered active duty in 1978 and was a member of the Nevada 
National Guard from 1990 to 1992 serving with the 72nd Military Police 
Company out of Henderson, NV, in Desert Storm and Desert Shield. In 
June of 1994, he was assigned to the Guard's 1st Squadron, 221st Armor 
Battalion, Las Vegas, until January 2000. In January 2000, he became an 
instructor at the 421st Regional Training Institute in Stead, NV. Then, 
in May 2002, he joined the Guard's 1864th Transportation Company, in 
Henderson, until he was honorably discharged in January 2004. He then 
was assigned to the Individual Ready Reserve. He earned the rank of 
first sergeant in 2001.
  Carlos was in Iraq as a trained civil affairs noncommissioned officer 
assigned to the 490th Civil Affairs Battalion, Abilene, TX. He had an 
extensive military education and had received countless awards for his 
service. Carlos had also worked for the Nevada Test Site's security 
firm for more than two decades where they are remembering him as ``a 
patriot, a great American, and a good man.''
  Nowhere is his loss being felt more than at his home in Las Vegas, 
where he is being remembered and mourned by his wife, Nanette; his son, 
Juan; his parents; and brothers and sisters.
  I had the opportunity to speak with Nanette Saenz yesterday. I called 
to extend my condolences and appreciation on behalf of this country. It 
shouldn't surprise me, but I am always taken aback by the strength and 
pride of the families of our fallen heroes. It makes sense that our 
brave servicemen and women have equally brave support systems at home. 
Nanette was no exception. As the family made clear in a statement, they 
``know the legacy he leaves behind while serving in a profession where 
`all give some, but some give all'.'' Carlos loved being a soldier and 
loved what he was doing.
  We are fortunate that someone like Carlos came to this country. He 
died as an American--defending his country, fighting for freedom, and 
working to keep his family and all our families safe and secure. May 
God keep him close and watch over his family. And may God continue to 
bless America with people like Carlos and Nanette Saenz.

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