[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 67 (Thursday, May 25, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S5208]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES


                   Lieutenant Robert Kenneth Thompson

                     Staff Sergeant Gregory Wagner

  Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, in the spirit of Memorial Day, which is 
fast approaching, I rise today to pay tribute to two sons of South 
Dakota who dedicated and ultimately sacrificed their lives for their 
country. These men died on battlefields far from home, to protect us 
and to advance the cause of freedom. LT Robert Kenneth Thompson and SSG 
Gregory Wagner both died in service to this great nation at very 
different times in America's history. They fought in conflicts many 
years apart, but both understood the importance of preserving and 
promoting freedom. On this Memorial Day, it is appropriate to remember 
not only those who have fallen in the present conflict in Iraq, but 
those who have fallen in previous conflicts as well.
  LT Robert Kenneth Thompson of Flandreau, SD, was inducted into the 
United States Army on December 27, 1948. At the time of his death, LT 
Thompson was on assignment fighting in the Korean conflict. He was 
killed in action on February 12, 1951 north of Hoengsong, Korea while 
serving as a member of Battery A, 503rd Field Artillery.
  Lieutenant Thompson had served in the United States Army for just 
over 2 years before his life was cut tragically short. LT Thompson 
dedicated his life to his country. He selflessly answered when duty 
called, even though it meant leaving his family behind. LT Thompson's 
patriotism and courage will not be forgotten.
  Lieutenant Thompson is survived by his wife Doris and daughter Vicki. 
Today we remember his selfless dedication and service to all Americans, 
and his sacrifice will always have meaning to all future generations of 
Americans, as long as our Republic exists.
  SSG Gregory Wagner of Alexandria, SD, was a full-time heavy mobile 
equipment repairer for the National Guard in Mitchell's Battery A, 
147th Field Artillery and was deployed with the Yankton, SD unit. As a 
member of the Battery C, 1st Battalion, 147th Field Artillery, he was 
chosen as the Task Force 519th Military Police Battalion ``Hero of the 
Week'', having distinguished himself with his remarkable achievements. 
His mission in Iraq involved training and educating the Iraqi police 
force.
  SSG Wagner made the ultimate sacrifice on May 8, 2006 during his 
service in Iraq. He was honored with a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart. 
He will be remembered for his loyalty and dedication to his family, 
friends, fellow service-members, and his country.
  SSG Wagner was a devoted, small-town guy who graduated from Hanson 
High in 1989. He was an admirer of his father, Charles Wagner, who 
served in the military as a sergeant in the U.S. Army. Each year at the 
Memorial Day services in Alexandria, SD, Charles would read the roll of 
soldiers. When he passed away, Greg stood in his place. My heart goes 
out to his mother, Velma, to all his siblings, and to his community as 
SGT Wagner's name is read at this year's Memorial Day service.
  LT Thompson and SSG Wagner both laid down their lives for their 
country, and to free others from tyranny. While we are currently 
engaged in a very different kind of war, nothing has changed in that 
which we are ultimately trying to protect. For my freedom and for your 
freedom and to spread this freedom across the globe, our soldiers have 
risked and sacrificed their lives. On this Memorial Day, as we pause to 
reflect on those who have died so that we all might live in freedom, we 
can do no more to honor them than to remain dedicated to the same 
principles for which they stood and devoted their lives.

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