[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 112 (Tuesday, September 12, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9355-S9357]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[Congressional Record: September 12, 2006 (Senate)]
[Page S9355-S9357]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:cr12se06-172]
HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES
Sergeant Lonnie Calvin Allen, Jr.
Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. Mr. President, I rise today to honor SGT
Lonnie Calvin Allen, Jr. of Bellevue, NE.
Sergeant Allen, 26, graduated from Bellevue East High School, where
he was a four-sport athlete, participating in football, track,
basketball, and wrestling. After attending Northeastern Junior College
in Colorado, Sergeant Allen joined the Army, where he met his wife
Birgit while stationed in Germany. ``I was just glad every minute I
spent with him because it was the most wonderful time I've had,'' said
Mrs. Allen.
Sergeant Allen was dedicated to the Army, choosing to reenlist after
his first tour of duty. According to his family, he was expected to
wrap up his Iraq tour in July and wanted to enter law enforcement as a
career.
While serving with the 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 10th
Mountain Division in Baghdad, Iraq, Sergeant Allen was killed when an
improvised explosive device detonated near his military vehicle on May
18, 2006.
Sergeant Allen is survived by his wife, Birgit, who lives in
Bellevue, NE; his parents, Lonnie and Sallie Allen, also of Bellevue;
and his brother, Nuru Allen, of St. Louis, MO.
My prayers go out to the family and friends of Sergeant Allen as they
face this difficult tragedy. Nebraskans should be proud of the
commitment Sergeant Allen showed toward the Army and his country. He is
an example for us all.
First Lieutenant Garrison Avery
Mr. President, today I honor 1LT Garrison Avery of Lincoln, NE.
First Lieutenant Avery, 23, graduated from Lincoln High School before
earning his degree from the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, NY.
Following his graduation from West Point, he underwent Army Ranger and
sapper training, receiving various honors. But according to his father,
``He wasn't interested in the decorations. He was interested in the
job.'' Following his service, Lieutenant Avery dreamed of helping war
orphans.
While serving with the 101st Airborne Division stationed south of
Baghdad, Lieutenant Avery and two fellow soldiers were killed when a
roadside bomb exploded on February 1, 2006.
Lieutenant Avery is survived by his wife, Kayla, who lives in
Clarksville, TN. He is also survived by his parents, Gary and Susan;
siblings, Clinton, Johnathan, and Elizabeth; and numerous other family
members, friends, and fellow soldiers.
I offer my sincere condolences and prayers to the family and friends
of Lieutenant Avery. His noble service to the United States of America
is to be respected and remembered by all. Every American and all
Nebraskans should be proud of the service of brave military personnel
such as 1LT Garrison Avery.
Lance Corporal Kyle Codner
Mr. President, today I honor LCpl Kyle Codner, 19, of Shelton, NE.
Lance Corporal Codner joined the military after his graduation from
Shelton High School on June 16, 2003, and was deployed to Iraq in mid-
February. His deployment was to last 7 months, and the family hoped to
see him home safe around mid-September. At the time of his death, Lance
Corporal Codner was one among a group of marines traveling in an
armored personnel carrier conducting security and stability operations
in Anbar province, Iraq.
Lance Corporal Codner was liked by all who knew him; he was involved
in his church and in his community, and he was a selfless part of the
military who knew the worth of life. Codner's family remembers him
saying, ``Freedom isn't free.''
The loss of this outstanding marine is felt by all Nebraskans, but
his example will remain as an inspiration for his survivors, a devoted
friend, fiancee, son, and grandson, and we extend our thoughts and
prayers to them in condolence.
Army National Guard Sergeant Germaine L. Debro
Mr. President, today I honor Nebraska Army National Guard SGT
Germaine L. Debro of Omaha, NE.
Sergeant Debro was a loyal son, brother, friend, and soldier.
Selflessly placing his friends and their families before his own life,
he volunteered for his last assignment to Iraq so others could stay
home with their loved ones. ``He put his friends and loyalty first. He
couldn't have lived with himself if one of his friends with kids went
over there and died. My brother is a better man than me,'' said
Sergeant Debro's brother, Alvin Debro, Jr.
Sergeant Debro was born into the military, as his father, Alvin Debro
Sr., served in the Air Force. He first attended Omaha Benson High
School; then in 1991, he graduated from high school in Arkansas, where
he played football. His military career began on October 14, 1994, when
he enlisted in the U.S. Army as an M-1 Abrams tank crewman. Sergeant
Debro joined the Nebraska Army National Guard on October 12, 1997, as a
tank crewman with Detachment 1, Troop B, 1-167th Cavalry Squadron based
in Wahoo, NE. He was reassigned to the Fremont-based Troop B, 1-167th
Cavalry Squadron in January 2001.
While serving with the National Guard, Sergeant Debro was mobilized
overseas various times, including service in Kuwait in 2001 and in
Bosnia-Herzegovina from 2002-2003. He was deployed in support of
Operation Iraqi Freedom in March 2005, serving as a scout with Troop B,
1-167th Cavalry Motor Reconnaissance Troop. On Monday, September 4,
2006, Sergeant Debro passed away when an improvised explosive device
struck the humvee he was driving while on patrol near Balad, Iraq.
Then-SPC Germaine L. Debro was posthumously promoted to Sergeant.
Sacrificing his own life so that others could live, Sergeant Debro
was the embodiment of bravery and the finest example of generosity. In
addition to his brother Alvin, he is survived by his parents Alvin, Sr.
and Priscilla Debro of Omaha; and his brother Maurice Debro. I extend
my deepest condolences to Sergeant Debro's family and friends, who
played such a tremendous role in
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his life. His unfaltering dedication to his country and family will
remain a source of hope and inspiration for all Americans. Sergeant
Debro was a man of exceptional honor, and we will not forget what he
gave for our Nation.
Army Specialist Jeremy Jones
Mr. President, today I honor Army SPC Jeremy Jones of Omaha, NE.
Specialist Jones was committed to the Army. Wanting to make a career
out of it, he chose to reenlist last April for 6 more years. ``He'd
finally found something he really liked to do and that suited him. He
was proud of what he was doing,'' said his wife, Jenny.
Last February, Specialist Jones flew back from his tour of duty in
Iraq to see his newborn daughter, Mackenzie. Baby Mackenzie, together
with her brother, Anthony, will grow up knowing their father is a hero.
Specialist Jones graduated from Millard West High School in 1999,
where he participated in football and wrestling. While serving with the
Army's 1st Battalion, 67th Armored Regiment of Fort Hood, TX,
Specialist Jones, 25, was hit by a roadside bomb on June 27, 2006, in
Iskandariyah, Iraq.
Specialist Jones is survived by his wife Jenny, daughter Mackenzie,
and son Anthony, 3, all of Omaha; mother, Diane Jones, of Omaha;
father, Scott Jones, of Council Bluffs, IA; and sister, Abbi Jones, of
Omaha. Our hearts and prayers go out to the Jones family. Specialist
Jones was a dedicated soldier, and all Americans admire the dedication
he gave to his country.
Navy Airman Jason J. Doyle
Mr. President, I rise today to honor Airman Jason J. Doyle of Omaha,
NE.
Airman Doyle, 19, graduated from Papillion-La Vista South High School
after moving to the area from Sunset, UT with his brother, Brandon, and
father, Dale, both of Bellevue, NE. At Papillion-La Vista South, he was
a member of the Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps program.
After graduating, he joined the Navy in an effort to fulfill his dream
of traveling to Japan, a dream which began in elementary school after
writing a report on Japan. He was also fascinated with flying. ``You
combine a love for the country of Japan, a love of other cultures and a
love of airplanes, and the Navy was a perfect fit for him,'' said his
father.
Airman Doyle had been serving with the Electronic Attack Squadron 136
off the east coast of Japan since October when he fell from the flight
deck of the USS Kitty Hawk on July 8, 2006. It was his first
assignment.
In addition to his father and brother, Airman Doyle is survived by
his mother, Martha Bower, who lives near Sunset, UT; his stepmother,
Susie Doyle, of Bellevue; and his three sisters, Shauna, of Utah, and
Whitney and Ashley, both of Bellevue.
I offer my sincere condolences to the family and friends of Airman
Doyle. His noble service to the United States of America is to be
respected and appreciated by all. And while the loss of this remarkable
airman is felt by all Nebraskans, his courage to follow his dreams will
remain as an inspiration for his survivors.
Army National Guard Specialist Joshua Ford
Mr. President, today I honor SPC Joshua Ford of Pender, NE.
Specialist Ford, 20, graduated from Pender High School in 2004, where
he was active in the FFA and theater. He was also interested in art and
utilized his talent by creating a few paintings while serving in Iraq.
Teachers knew him as an easygoing, well-liked student with a great
sense of humor. Ford joined the Nebraska Army National Guard as a heavy
vehicle driver in February 2003, while still attending high school.
Friends say he was dedicated to the Guard, even convincing three
friends to join with him.
Since October 2005, Specialist Ford had been serving with the Wayne-
based Detachment 1, 189th Transportation Company in Iraq. On July 13,
2006, the military truck he was driving in a convoy from Forward
Operating Base Delta to Tallil Air Base was struck by an Improvised
Explosive Device near Al Numaniyah. Specialist Ford passed away shortly
thereafter.
Specialist Ford is survived by his fiancee, Michelle Frohlich;
father, Lonnie W. Ford; grandmother, Elle Petersen; sisters, Erin,
Jessica, and Shawn; and nephew, William Dyer.
I offer my sincere condolences to the family and friends of
Specialist Ford. The loss of this dedicated National Guardsman is felt
by all Nebraskans, but his example will remain as an inspiration for
all of us.
Army National Guard Staff Sergeant Jeffrey Hansen
Mr. President, today I honor SSG Jeffrey Hansen of Cairo, NE.
Staff Sergeant Hansen, 31, was a 1993 graduate of Bertrand Community
High School. He earned a bachelor's degree in Athletic Training from
the University of Nebraska-Kearney in 1997. Jeffrey joined the Nebraska
Army National Guard in January 2000 as a member of Troop A, 1-167th
Cavalry in Hastings, NE. During his years as a member of the Nebraska
National Guard, Staff Sergeant Hansen exhibited outstanding leadership
and rose through the ranks, serving as an assistant squad leader, fire
team leader, and squad leader before his current assignment as a fire
support sergeant. Prior to his service in Iraq, Hansen served as a
peacekeeper in Bosnia with the 1-167th Cavalry from late 2002 until
mid-2003.
CPT Jeffrey Searcey, who led Troop A of the 1-167th Cavalry in
Ramadi, Iraq, described Staff Sergeant Hansen as a ``guy you respected
as a soldier and a man.'' As a civilian, Staff Sergeant Hansen was
recognized as an outstanding police officer during his time in the U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs, VA, Police Service. ``Jeff was the
strong, silent type. He didn't talk a lot, but when he did, people
listened to him,'' said James Arends, a sergeant in the VA Police
Service.
Staff Sergeant Hansen passed away on August 27, 2006, at Landstuhl
Regional Medical Center in Landstuhl, Germany, from injuries he
received when the humvee he was riding in went off a wet and eroded
roadside berm and became submerged in an irrigation canal near Camp
Anaconda, Iraq.
Staff Sergeant Hansen is survived by his wife Jennifer L. Hansen of
Cairo; father Robert Hansen of Bertrand; and brother Jeremy Hansen.
I offer my sincere condolences to Staff Sergeant Hansen's family and
friends. He gave his life to save and honor the liberties of America,
and his selfless passion to achieve this end will not be forgotten.
Staff Sergeant Hansen will be forever remembered as a hero who
sacrificed everything for his fellow country men and women.
Marine Corporal Matthew C. Henderson
Mr. President, today I honor Marine Cpl Matthew C. Henderson of
Lincoln, NE.
Corporal Henderson inspired everyone who knew him through his
leadership. He enjoyed football, hunting, fishing, and fixing cars with
his father, who was his best man at his wedding in May of 2003.
Henderson joined the Marines in September 2000. He had received the
Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, the Marine Corps Good Conduct
Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Sea Service
Deployment Ribbon. Corporal Henderson was a combat engineer assigned to
the 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine
Expeditionary Force out of Camp Pendleton, CA. Henderson was one among
a group of marines traveling in an armored personnel carrier conducting
security and stability operations in Anbar province, Iraq, at the time
of his death.
I know I join all Nebraskans in grieving the loss of Corporal
Henderson. He will be remembered as the selfless leader that he was;
for being a compassionate and loyal husband, son, and brother.
Sergeant Allen D. Kokesh, Jr.
Mr. President, today I honor SGT Allen D. Kokesh, Jr. of Yankton, SD.
Sergeant Kokesh, 21, willingly signed up for the National Guard as a
junior at Yankton High School and completed his basic training before
his graduation in 2003. He believed he and his fellow soldiers were
playing an important role in bringing peace and freedom to the people
of Iraq.
While serving with the Yankton-based Charlie Battery of the 1st
Battallion, 147th Field Artillery Brigade, stationed in Baghdad,
Sergeant Kokesh was injured in an explosion from a roadside bomb on
December 4, 2005. Sergeant Kokesh passed away February 7, 2006, at
Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, TX, as a result of his
injuries. He was posthumously promoted from specialist to sergeant.
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Sergeant Kokesh is survived by his father and stepmother, Allen Sr.
and Kristi Kokesh; mother and stepfather, Becky and Jason Beebee;
siblings, Chasity, Katrianna, Tom, and Jaylon; and numerous other
family members, friends, and fellow soldiers.
I offer my sincere condolences and prayers to the family and friends
of Sergeant Kokesh. His noble service to the United States of America
is to be respected and remembered by all. Every American and all
Nebraskans should be proud of the service of brave military personnel
such as SGT Allen D. Kokesh, Jr.
Private Tim J. Madison
Mr. President, today I honor Pvt Tim J. Madison of Bellevue, NE.
Private Madison's children will grow up knowing their father is a
hero. A 1997 graduate of Bellevue East High School, Private Madison,
28, joined the Army last October. Private Madison enjoyed the outdoors
and shared that experience with his children on numerous occasions.
While serving with E Company, Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade
at Fort Carson, CO, Private Madison was struck by .50-caliber machine
gun fire during a live-fire operation at a shooting range. ``He was
very proud of his country, and he wanted to defend and make it a better
homeland for his own immediate family, his wife, and kids,'' said his
mother, Nancy Madison.
Private Madison is survived by his wife Melissa and three children,
Hailee, 3, Jonathan, 2, and Michael, 4 months, of Fort Carson, CO;
parents, Ken and Nancy Madison of Bellevue, NE; brothers, Ken Jr.,
Tony, and Rick Madison, all of Bellevue; and sister, Christina Coy of
Bellevue.
Our hearts go out to the family and friends of Pvt Tim J. Madison.
You are all in America's thoughts and prayers.
Army Specialist Benjamin Slaven
Mr. President, today I honor Army SPC Benjamin Slaven of Plymouth,
NE.
Following in his family's footsteps, Specialist Slaven, 22, chose to
enlist in the Army Reserve because he wanted to serve his country. ``He
was enthusiastic about working on the front line of the war on
terror,'' said his father, Bruce Slaven.
Before enlisting, Specialist Slaven earned his high school
equivalency diploma and was employed in Beatrice, NE, most recently at
the Beatrice State Development Center, where he became known for his
compassion. Because of his love for scuba diving, Specialist Slaven was
considering a career in underwater welding after the military.
While serving with the Army Reserve's 308th Transportation Company of
Lincoln, NE, then Private First Class Slaven was killed when a roadside
bomb struck his vehicle on June 9, 2006, in Ad Diwaniyah, Iraq. He was
promoted to army specialist posthumously.
Specialist Slaven is survived by his mother, Judy Huenink, of
Plymouth; his father, Bruce Slaven, of Beatrice; and his sister, PFC
Misti Slaven, currently serving with the Army Reserve.
All Americans admire the dedication Specialist Slaven exhibited as he
defined what a true soldier should be. The family and friends of Army
SPC Benjamin Slaven are in our thoughts and prayers.
Army Sergeant 1st Class Terry Wallace
Mr. President, today I honor Army SFC Terry Wallace of Winnsboro, LA.
Sergeant First Class Wallace graduated from Winnsboro High School,
where he met his wife, Shunda Wallace. Wallace joined the Army shortly
after graduating from high school. ``It was something he'd always
wanted to do. He always wanted to serve his country,'' said Mrs.
Wallace.
While serving with the 42nd Field Artillery based at Fort Hood, TX,
Sergeant First Class Wallace was killed when a roadside bomb hit his
humvee in Taji, Iraq, on June 27, 2006. He had served several
assignments abroad, including locations in the Middle East, but this
was his first tour of duty in Iraq.
In addition to his wife, Sergeant First Class Wallace is survived by
his 2-year-old daughter, Raven; his parents, James Jr. and Marry
Wallace, of Winnsboro, LA; his twin brother, Jerry Wallace, and several
other brothers and sisters, also of Winnsboro.
I know I join all Nebraskans in grieving the loss of Sergeant First
Class Wallace. He will be remembered for the selfless hero he was and
for being a devoted and compassionate husband, son, and brother.
Sergeant First Class Wallace's family and friends remain in our
thoughts and prayers.
Lance Corporal Brent Zoucha
Mr. President, today I honor LCpl Brent Zoucha of Clarks, NE.
Being a dedicated athlete at High Plains Community School, Zoucha had
already attained much of what he needed to be a good marine:
commitment. Knowing he wanted to serve, Zoucha, 19, enlisted in the
Marines while still in high school.
Serving with the 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine
Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, in Twentynine Palms, CA,
Corporal Zoucha passed away on June 9, 2006, due to injuries sustained
in an explosion while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar, Iraq.
``He died doing what he wanted to do: fighting for his country,'' said
friend David Beck.
Corporal Zoucha is survived by his mother, Rita Zoucha, of Clarks,
NE; his sister, Sherri Krueger, of Duncan, NE; and two brothers,
Dominic Zoucha of Clarks, NE, and Corporal Dyrek Zoucha, currently
serving in Iraq.
All Americans admire the dedication LCpl Brent Zoucha exhibited as he
defined what a true soldier should be. The family and friends of
Corporal Zoucha are in our thoughts and prayers.
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