[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 119 (Thursday, September 21, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9861-S9862]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING THE GOLD STAR AND BLUE 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 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 men and women to combat since the horrendous attacks of 9/
11. One day is not long enough for us to ever fully honor these parents 
who have had to suffer the unmanageable pain of losing a child, but we 
will try.
  Across the State of Colorado and across 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 honor 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 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 
serve 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 your sons and 
daughters 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. I readily 
admit this fight is one 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 toward helping to create partners in our fight 
against terrorism

[[Page S9862]]

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, Shias, 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 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 on our shores. Unfortunately, we have seen that 
even after the death of terrorist leaders, such as Abu Mus'ab al-
Zarqawi, the forces of 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 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 who 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 that a 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
     Staff Sgt. Daniel A. Bader
     Sgt. Douglas E. Bascom
     Sgt. Thomas F. Broomhead
     Petty Officer 2nd Class Danny P. Dietz
     Lance Cpl. Mark E. Engel
     Staff Sgt. Christopher M. Falkel
     Pfc. George R. Geer
     Lance Cpl. Evenor C. Herrera
     Cpl. Benjamin D. Hoeffner
     Staff Sgt. Theodore S. Holder II
     Maj. Douglas A. La Bouff
     Staff Sgt. Mark A. Lawton
     Spec. Derrick J. Lutters
     Pfc. Tyler R. MacKenzie
     Lance Cpl. Chad B. Maynard
     Sgt. Dimitri Muscat.
     Sgt. Larry W. Pankey Jr.
     Staff Sgt. Michael C. Parrott
     Pfc. Chance R. Phelps
     Pfc. Ryan E. Reed
     Sgt. 1st Class Randall S. Rehn
     Staff Sgt. Gavin B. Reinke
     Sgt. Luis R. Reyes
     Pfc. Andrew G. Riedel
     Capt. Russell B. Rippetoe
     Pfc. Henry C. Risner
     Sgt. 1st Class Daniel A. Romero
     Lance Cpl. Gregory P. Rund
     Staff Sgt. Barry Sanford
     Staff Sgt. Michael B. Shackelford
     Cpl. Christopher F. Sitton
     Lance Cpl. Thomas J. Slocum
     Lance Cpl. Jeremy P. Tamburello
     Staff Sgt. Justin L. Vasquez
     2nd Lt. John S. Vaughan
     Capt. Ian P . Weikel
     Spec. Dana N. Wilson
     Sgt. Michael E. Yashinski

  Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, in remembering their lives, we also honor 
and celebrate the joy they 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.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from Idaho.
  Mr. CRAIG. Mr. President, how much time remains in morning business 
for our side?
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. There is 9 minutes 20 seconds 
remaining.
  Mr. CRAIG. Mr. President, first, I wish to recognize the Senator from 
Colorado for the speech he has just delivered. As chairman of the 
Veterans' Affairs Committee, Gold Star mothers are always at our 
committee working with us to ensure that those who survived and are 
America's veterans are treated fairly and justly and the benefits they 
have been provided by law are delivered to them.
  I thank the Senator from Colorado for his recognition of these 
phenomenal mothers and fathers who have borne the ultimate sacrifice of 
losing one of their loved ones, one of their children in pursuit of our 
freedom and justice around the world.
  Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, I thank the Senator from Idaho. We truly 
appreciate his leadership on the Veterans' Affairs Committee. He is 
doing a great job.
  Mr. CRAIG. I thank the Senator.

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