[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 76 (Wednesday, June 14, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5866-S5867]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES

  Mr. COLEMAN. Mr. President, today I rise to remember the sacrifices 
of James Lee Krull, Richard Bruce Apland, Victor Art Rabel, David Aaron 
Ritzschke, and Richard Lee Lohse, five individuals from Herman, MN, who 
gave their lives for the United States during the Vietnam war.
  On July 9, 2006, the Herman High School Class of 1967 will gather at 
the Vietnam War Memorial to remember and memorialize the 36th 
anniversary of the death of classmate James Lee Krull, as well as four 
other brave men from Herman who during the Vietnam war made the 
ultimate sacrifice.
  James Lee Krull was born on November 23, 1949, the older of two 
children to Mr. and Mrs. Lean Krull. He attended high school in Herman, 
MN, and graduated with the class of 1967. After graduating from high 
school he studied welding at Alexandria Technical College and in 1969, 
he was engaged to be married to Donna Hutchinson.
  He began his tour of duty in Vietnam on March 11, 1970, as an Army 
corporal serving as a medic with the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry, 1st 
Cavalry Division.
  On July 9, 1970, Jim died from wounds he received on June 14, 1970, 
while on patrol in Cambodia.
  Jim was a highly decorated soldier. Prior to his death, Jim was 
awarded the Army Commendation Medal for heroism, the Purple Heart, the 
National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam 
Campaign Medal, and the Expert badge with automatic rifle bar. 
Posthumously he was awarded the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Army 
Commendation Medal, and the Combat Medical Badge.
  Herman, MN, also lost other sons in Vietnam, who we should pause to 
recognize today.
  PFC Richard Bruce Apland of the 82nd Airborne died on January 19, 
1969, as a result of injuries suffered while serving in Vietnam.
  LCpl Victor Art Rabel of the Marine Corps died on February 23, 1969, 
as a result of injuries suffered while serving in Vietnam.
  PFC David Aaron Ritzschke of the Marine Corps died on July 15, 1967, 
as a result of injuries suffered while serving in Vietnam.
  PFC Richard Lee Lohse of the 101st Airborne died on May 12, 1968, as 
a result of injuries suffered while serving in Vietnam.
  James Lee Krull once wrote, ``many great men have come from small 
towns, and now here I am.'' These five men embody this statement. It is 
because of this kind of heroism that America remains the greatest 
nation the world has ever known.
  Again, I thank James Lee Krull, Richard Bruce Apland, Victor Art 
Rabel, David Aaron Ritzschke, and Richard Lee Lohse for their sacrifice 
and extend my heartfelt sympathy to the families and friends of those 
brave men.


                 Marine Lance Corporal Richard Z. James

  Mr. CARPER. Mr. President, I would like to set aside a few moments 
today to reflect on the life of Marine LCpl Richard ``Rick'' Z. James. 
Rick epitomized the best of our country's brave men and women who 
fought to free Iraq and to secure a new democracy in the Middle East. 
He exhibited unwavering courage, dutiful service to his country, and 
above all else, honor. In the way he lived his life--and how we 
remember him--Rick reminds each of us just how good we can be.
  Rick was born to Carol and Kenneth ``Jake'' James of Seaford in 
November 1985. He had two older siblings, Jeff and Tina, and a younger 
brother, Jonathan. Rick was a 2004 graduate of Seaford Christian 
Academy, where he played soccer, basketball, and baseball. His friends 
and family remembered him at his memorial service, describing Rick as 
having a playful, somewhat mischievous nature and as an enthusiastic 
athlete who thrived on competition and gave his all on the playing 
field. Fellow U.S. Marine Cpl. Kevin Martens of Salisbury described his 
friend of 10 years as ``fun, energetic, always trying

[[Page S5867]]

to make people laugh. He was a great guy to be around.''
  His enthusiasm and thirst for excitement led to his decision to join 
the Marines shortly before graduation from Seaford Christian Academy in 
June of 2004. His mother Carol stated, ``That's all he ever wanted to 
do, and he was thrilled when he was doing military duty.'' Rick's 
father, when speaking to several hundred friends, family, and members 
of the community gathered for his son's memorial service, said that 
``He always wanted to have the hardest job. In baseball, he wanted to 
be the catcher. In soccer, he wanted to be center-midfielder. He wanted 
to be involved.'' Above all, Mr. James reminded us that ``Rick had a 
dream and he followed it.'' He then urged us all, ``If you have a 
dream, follow it.''
  This was Rick's second tour of duty in Iraq serving with Kilo 
Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine 
Expeditionary Force. The day the young lance corporal lost his life, he 
was providing security at an over-watch position within a building when 
he was struck by small arms fire near Ramadi, Iraq. Ramadi is one of 
the most dangerous spots for our troops in Iraq where, according to an 
embedded reporter on assignment for USA Today, ``about 8 out of 10 of 
Kilo's foot patrols engage in contact with the enemy.'' On a daily 
basis, our marines in Ramadi face threats of sniper attacks and 
catastrophic roadside bombs.
  Rick James grew up in the tightly knit community of Seaford, DE. News 
of Rick's death rocked the community, as he was the second Marine from 
Seaford to die in a week's span, and the town's third Iraq war fatality 
since operations began in 2003. With two funerals within days of one 
another, the city of Seaford turned out in force to support the 
families of the fallen soldiers, lining the streets with American 
flags, in a demonstration of overwhelming compassion and patriotism.
  One always wonders how a family survives a tragedy like this. After 
spending time with Rick's loved ones, it was very clear to me that this 
family, and their son Rick, found their strength through an unwavering 
faith in God and the support of their family, friends, and community. 
Pastor John Reynolds, the lance corporal's cousin said, ``Rick had a 
passion for his family. Rick had a passion for the Marine Corps. Rick 
knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that if something were to happen he'd 
spend eternity with his God. Rick died offering himself for the sake of 
others.'' Pastor Donnie Reynolds who spoke at the service for Rick 
perhaps said it best. ``Rick did not just exist. He lived out God's 
plan. I believe Rick James is an American hero.'' The evening before, 
during a quiet moment as we paid our respects to the family, Rick's 
father said, ``People now refer to his son as a hero, but he has always 
been a hero to me.''
  I rise today to commemorate Rick, to celebrate his life, and to offer 
his family our support and our deepest sympathy on their tragic loss.

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