[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 132 (Tuesday, December 5, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2093]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    PAYING TRIBUTE TO BRANDON BYERS

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                           HON. JON C. PORTER

                               of nevada

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 5, 2006

  Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Airman First Class 
Brandon Byers for his courage and dedication to his comrades and his 
country by serving in Iraq.
  On November 6th, 2006, Brandon returned home from serving at Camp 
Bucca, Iraq, as a Combat Convoy .50 Cal Gunner for ASO Missions and 
Commonly Remote Operated Weapons System (CROWS). He was greeted at 
Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada by his unit, the 99th Security Forces 
Squadron with his wife and 5-year-old daughter by his side and his 
wounds healing.
  On October 16th, 2006 Brandon experienced a terrifying ordeal that 
nearly cost him his life. While on active duty, Brandon's Humvee was 
hit with a bomb detonated by Iraqi insurgents. The improvised explosive 
device wounded him and two of his comrades while they were returning to 
camp in Southern Iraq from a mounted patrol mission. Brandon was 
manning a .50-caliber machine gun in the Humvee's turret when the bomb 
went off. Shrapnel peppered his body and two large pieces struck him--
one in the right wrist and another in the upper left thigh.
  Following the attack, Brandon was airlifted to a military trauma 
center in Kuwait to undergo extensive emergency surgery to remove the 
shrapnel and stabilize his injuries. Colonel Paul Curlett, commander of 
the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing, presented Brandon with a Purple Heart 
medal before his return to the U.S. to receive additional treatment at 
Wilford Hall Medical Center at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio.
  In addition to his Purple Heart, Brandon has received a number of 
other awards and decorations, which include the National Defense Medal, 
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism 
Service Medal, and the Air Force Small Arms Expert Ribbon with cluster 
award.
  After his wounds heal and his rehabilitation complete, Brandon will 
have to go before a medical review board to determine his eligibility 
to return to duty. Otherwise, he plans to return to his previous post 
as an Installation Patrolman and Security Response Team Leader for the 
99th Security Force Squadron. Brandon feels as if he has let down his 
``brothers and sisters down range'' because he cannot be with them, 
fighting in the fields.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor that I recognize Airman First 
Class Brandon Byers for his undaunted demeanor and courageous conduct 
in defense of democracy. He is a true patriot who serves the United 
States with valor and courage; I commend him for his service and I wish 
him luck with all his future endeavors.

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