[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 118 (Wednesday, September 20, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9781-S9782]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           GOLD STAR MOTHERS

  Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, 70 years ago, Congress passed a resolution 
proclaiming that the last Sunday in September be designated as Gold 
Star Mother's Day. As we approach the last Sunday in September, I would 
like to take this opportunity to recognize the Gold Star Mothers 
throughout the country and particularly those in the State of Colorado.
  I hope that we will all take time this Sunday, September 24, to honor 
these mothers and fathers who have so bravely endured the loss of a son 
or daughter killed while serving in the Armed Forces. Colorado has lost 
many young

[[Page S9782]]

men and women to combat since the horrendous attacks of 9/11. One day 
is not long enough for us to ever fully honor those parents who have 
had to suffer the unimaginable pain of losing a child, but we will try.
  Across the State of Colorado and the rest of the Nation, many of 
these mothers have come together not only for support but also to 
volunteer their time serving veterans and families of soldiers, 
encouraging patriotism and national pride, and honoring their children 
through service and allegiance to the United States. Through their 
volunteer efforts, they keep alive the memory and spirit of those whose 
lives were lost in the war. They continue to inspire compassion, 
strength, and faithfulness for all Americans.
  To mark this weekend, the Blue Star Mothers of Colorado will be 
hosting Colorado's first annual Gold Star Mother's Day Weekend. There 
will be several events throughout the weekend celebrating the lives of 
those soldiers who so courageously gave the ultimate sacrifice for 
their Nation. Unfortunately I will not be able to attend the ceremony 
myself, but my wife Joan and I want to send our thoughts and prayers to 
those who will be attending the event.
  Words truly cannot express America's gratitude for our Armed Forces 
and their service and sacrifice to this Nation. Those who have fallen 
have served a cause greater than themselves and deserve special honor. 
To their mothers and fathers, you too deserve special honor as you 
continue to carry on the patriotic duties and legacy that your son or 
daughter sadly could not. I thank you for your courage and for your 
service to the United States of America.
  Over the last 3 years, our Nation has been locked in a terrible 
struggle against radical extremists across the Middle East. And I will 
readily admit that this fight is one that we did not anticipate. But I 
do know that every life given in the name of freedom has not been given 
in vain.
  While they continually experience many dangerous challenges, our men 
and women of our Armed Forces continue making strides in Iraq and 
Afghanistan. We have fought a terrible enemy that has no regard for 
human life.
  Yet despite our challenges, we have seen tremendous progress, 
especially towards helping to create partners in our fight against 
terrorism worldwide. Indeed, much of our success depends on the men and 
women in the new democratic governments formed in Iraq and Afghanistan, 
and they are stepping up to the challenge. In Iraq, people from all 
walks of life--Sunnis, Shia, and Kurds--have participated in multiple 
elections and referendums across the country for the first time in 
Iraq's history.
  Remarkably, after democratic elections in Afghanistan, women are 
holding positions of power in local and national governments, something 
that was impossible under the Taliban's rule. The sovereign governments 
are working with regional and international partners in achieving 
united democracies--an achievement only allowed through our fighting 
men and women in combat.
  Many remarkable achievements have been made through the sacrifices of 
the men and women in the military, but perhaps the most important of 
all is what has not occurred in our own country. Since we took military 
action against these Islamic extremists and brought the fight to them, 
we have not seen an attack on American soil. The sacrifices that the 
sons and daughters of our Gold Star Mothers have made and continue to 
make are protecting us here on our shores.
  Unfortunately, we have seen that even after the death of terrorist 
leaders like Abu Musab al-Zarqawi that the forces of the Islamic 
extremists vow that they will continue to wage war on American 
civilians. Our success against this type of enemy is only ensured by 
the brave men and women of our Armed Forces. They provide the safety 
and security to our nation, and we are truly grateful for what they 
have done. While the cost has been high, the cost of doing nothing 
would be even greater. These words provide little comfort to the 
families that have lost loved ones. But we will always remember those 
who have lost their lives in support of our freedom, and thank them for 
their sacrifice. I ask unanimous consent for the list of fallen heroes 
from Colorado be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

     PFC Travis W. Anderson
     PFC Shawn M. Atkins
     SGT Daniel A. Bader
     SGT Douglas E. Bascom
     SGT Thomas F. Broomhead
     Petty Officer 2nd Class Danny P. Dietz
     LCpl Mark E. Engel
     SGT Christopher M. Falkel
     PFC George R. Geer
     LCpl Evenor C. Herrera
     CPL Benjamin D. Hoeffner
     SGT Theodore S. Holder II
     MAG Douglas A. La Bouff
     SSG Mark A. Lawton
     SPC Derrick J. Lutters
     PFC Tyler R. MacKenzie
     LCpl Chad B. Maynard
     SGT Dimitri Muscat
     SGT Larry W. Pankey Jr.
     SSG Michael C. Parrott
     PFC Chance R. Phelps
     PFC Ryan E. Reed
     SFC Randall S. Rehn
     SSG Gavin B. Reinke
     SGT Luis R. Reyes
     PFC Andrew G. Riedel
     CAPT Russell B. Rippetoe
     PFC Henry C. Risner
     SFC Daniel A. Romero
     LCpl Gregory P. Rund
     SSG Barry Sanford
     SSG Michael B. Shackelford
     CPL Christopher F. Sitton
     LCpl Thomas J. Slocum
     LCpl Jeremy P. Tamburello
     SSG Justin L. Vasquez
     2LT John S. Vaughan
     CAPT Ian P. Weikel
     SPC Dana N. Wilson
     SGT Michael E. Yashinski

  Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, in remembering their lives, we also honor 
them and celebrate the joy that they have brought to their families. To 
the Gold Star and Blue Star mothers and fathers, I salute you, and 
thank you for your service to this nation.

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