[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 77 (Thursday, June 15, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S5945]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES


                  Petty Officer 2nd Class Jaime Jaenke

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to the first 
female Iowan to have lost her life in the Iraq conflict. Petty Officer 
2nd Class Jaime Jaenke was a naval reservist who had been in Iraq for 
only 3 months. She was killed on Monday, June 5, when the humvee she 
was traveling in was hit by an improvised explosive device. She was 29 
years old and was assigned to the Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 
25 at Fort McCoy, WI.
  Petty Officer Jaenke has given her life for our country, and I would 
ask that all Americans join me today in remembering and honoring Petty 
Officer Jaenke. Her loss will be felt deeply in the town of Iowa Falls. 
Although she had lived in Wisconsin for a number of years, she returned 
to Iowa 2 years ago and last fall opened an equestrian business outside 
Iowa Falls. My thoughts and prayers are with Petty Officer Jaenke's 
daughter, Kayla, her parents, Susan and Larry, as well as all those 
other family and friends who are grieving the loss of this young 
mother.
  We owe a huge debt of gratitude to Petty Officer Jaenke for her 
sacrifice. I am greatly saddened by her passing but deeply proud and 
grateful for what she gave for America. Her loss remains tragic but she 
died a true patriot.

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