[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 61 (Wednesday, May 17, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E863]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                IN HONOR OF SPECIALIST ARMER N. BURKART

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SCOTT GARRETT

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 17, 2006

  Mr. GARRETT of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute 
to a hero and a patriot who was killed while defending our Nation in 
Iraq. Army Specialist Armer N. Burkart died this week when an 
improvised explosive device exploded near his vehicle.
  This brave 26-year-old soldier was serving as a gunner with the 1st 
Battalion of the 10th Division based at Fort Drum in New York. Prior to 
this tour in Iraq, Specialist Burkart served for nearly a year in 
Afghanistan.
  Specialist Burkart's father, John, says that Armer ``was proud to be 
in the Army. He volunteered for combat. . .he had a nice safe position 
which he chose to give up.'' This extraordinary young man had always 
wanted to be in the Army, following in his grandfathers' tradition of 
military service in the Navy. In fact, even as a high school student, 
he served in the ROTC.
  America should be grateful for Armer Burkart's honorable service, and 
we should all remember the heroism of the other men and women who have 
been serving by his side. America should also be grateful to the loving 
families these servicemen and women leave behind. Our thoughts and 
prayers go out to Specialist Burkart's wife, father, and younger 
brother, as they do to the others who selflessly give of their family 
time that our Nation and our world may be safe and free.

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