[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 132 (Tuesday, December 5, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11118-S11125]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES


                  Sergeant First Class Gregory Rogers

  Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, I come to the Senate floor this afternoon 
to honor Army SFC Gregory Rogers. Gregory Rogers was from Deer Park, 
OH. He was killed on April 9, 2006, when a roadside bomb detonated near 
his humvee in Iraq. He was serving in his third tour of duty in Iraq 
with the 101st Airborne Division's 4th Brigade Combat Team. He was 42 
years of age when he died.
  Gregory Rogers grew up in Deer Park and graduated from Deer Park High 
School. During his 22-year career in the Army, he received dozens of 
service medals, including the Meritorious Service Medal and the Army 
Achievement Medal.
  After high school, Gregory worked with his uncle in vending. Although 
Gregory initially tried this career path, he could not ignore his 
passion--to serve in the U.S. Army. So he joined the military. His 
brother Kevin recalls that ``It's what he lived for.''
  A career soldier, Gregory played an integral role in the first gulf 
war in 1991 and had also spent time serving in Afghanistan and in South 
America. He was in the initial invasion force in Iraq and spent a few 
years as a drill instructor and as an airborne Ranger, jumping out of 
combat helicopters.
  He was highly regarded by all who knew him. Army BG John Bartley 
said, ``We tried so hard to bring Gregory home unharmed. He will always 
be in our hearts and prayers. He will always be an American hero.'' 
Many of Gregory's comrades wrote letters about him, calling him ``a 
true soldier in every sense of the word.''
  Gregory's father, Luther Rogers, said this about his son's commitment 
to service:

       Being a soldier was what he always wanted to do, and he 
     always did his job.

  Gregory's brother Kevin echoed this sentiment, saying:

       [Gregory] liked traveling the world; he was dedicated to 
     his country.

  Gregory came from a large family and was extremely close to his 
father and his mother Donna, as well as his two brothers, Jeff and 
Kevin, and his sister Tammy. His brothers communicated with Gregory 
almost daily through e-mails and instant messages. His older brother 
Jeff wants Gregory to know that ``We're very proud of him, we miss him, 
and we love him.''
  Although he intended to retire in 2003, Gregory received orders to 
stay in the service and ended up serving two additional tours of duty. 
His brother Jeff remembers that ``[Gregory] believed in what he did--
[and that was] making a difference.''
  Once he completed his last tour in December 2006, Gregory was finally 
going to retire. He would be able to spend more time with the love of 
his life, his wife Sandy, and their two daughters, Whitney and Chelsea. 
Tragically, however, in 2005, Sandy died. Although she had suffered 
from type I diabetes since childhood, Sandy had just received a new 
insulin pump and her sugar levels were coming under control. Connie 
Root, a caretaker for Sandy during her illness, said her passing came 
as a shock. ``Greg loved his wife very much,'' recalls Connie, ``and he 
took care of her and was always very supportive.''
  Even in the face of his beloved wife's death, Gregory wanted to give 
hope to another family. Before his wife Sandy died, she and Gregory had 
agreed to donate her insulin pump to a child who needed it. Gregory 
wrote that if Sandy would have had the pump when she was a child, she 
would still have been alive today. Beth Smith, a senior diabetes 
management consultant for MedTronic, which manufactured insulin pumps, 
said that in the many years of working with diabetic patients, she has 
never known anyone to donate a pump specifically to a child.
  Before Gregory Rogers could choose a recipient for his wife's insulin 
pump, and just 2 months after her death, he was deployed to Iraq. While 
there, Gregory received information about Jessica Burkhart, a young 
girl in need of Sandy's insulin pump, and he decided to donate it to 
her. He chose Jessica as the recipient of his wife's pump. Just 13 
years old, Jessica Burkhart had been diagnosed with type I diabetes and 
needed the pump to regulate her blood sugar levels. Her family could 
not afford a new pump, which costs around $6,000. When Jessica heard 
the news that she would receive Sandy's insulin pump, she could not 
wait to thank the man who was giving her new hope in life. Jessica and 
Gregory then became pen pals. In her first e-mail, an elated Jessica 
wrote:

       Thank you so much for choosing me over so many people. 
     Thank you so much again.

  Rogers responded a week later, writing:

       I know you must hate shots. I know I hated my wife 
     struggling with her sugar and having to take sometimes up to 
     14 shots a day, so I know what a pain it must be.

  It turned out that Jessica and Gregory shared something other than 
the struggle against diabetes. They both loved softball. Gregory told 
Jessica he loved the game and looked forward to coming home so he could 
play again. In every e-mail, Jessica thanked Gregory for the pump. She 
updated him on how it was already changing her life for the better. He 
always signed his letters to her ``Your friend Greg.'' Gregory's father 
Luther learned about the donation after his son died. He said:

       I'm really proud of my son for doing that.

  Mr. President, Jessica Burkhart is just one of many who will miss 
Gregory Rogers. No sacrifice was too great for the man who dedicated 
his life to protecting his country, his family, and the life of an 
unknown child in one of his darkest hours.
  He was a good son, husband, brother, and father. Though he will be 
missed tremendously, he will never be forgotten.
  My wife Fran and I continue to keep Gregory's family in our thoughts 
and in our prayers.
  (Mr. COCHRAN assumed the Chair.)


                    Staff Sergeant Gordon G. Solomon

  Mr. President, I rise today to honor a fellow Ohioan and a brave 
Marine who gave his life in service to our Nation. On August 24, 2006, 
Marine SSG Gordon G. Solomon was killed by an improvised explosive 
device while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in the 
Al Anbar Province of Iraq. He was 35 years old.
  Growing up in Fairborn, OH, Gordon was eager to begin serving his 
country in the military. He graduated from Fairborn High School in 1990 
and joined the Marines in June of that same year. For Gordon, there was 
simply no time to waste.
  In April 2006, before leaving for Iraq, Gordon joined the 3rd 
Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, 2nd Marine 
Expeditionary Force, based out of Camp Lejeune, NC. Once in Iraq, he 
was selected to work with the Iraqi Army as a part of the Military 
Transition Team.
  As an infantry unit leader in charge of a platoon, Gordon left a 
great legacy. His heroism and leadership were evident to all, and his 
service earned him many awards and medals. His decorations are too 
numerous to list here, but they include a Purple Heart with a gold 
star, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, a Combat Action 
Ribbon, an Iraqi Campaign Medal, and a Global War on Terrorism Service 
Medal.
  Those who knew and loved Gordon will always remember him for his 
dedication to his friends. Back in 1920, MG John A. Lejeune stressed 
the importance of camaraderie in the Marines Corps. He wrote that ``the 
spirit of comradeship and brotherhood in arms, which has traditionally 
existed throughout the ranks of the Marines Corps, is a vital 
characteristic of the Corps. It must be fostered and kept alive. . . 
.''
  Over 85 years later, those words still hold true today. Looking at 
the lives of Marines, like Gordon, we can truly say that they have 
never lost the spirit of comradeship and brotherhood. It is certainly 
alive today.
  On September 8, 2006, Gordon's life was honored--along with six of 
his Marine brothers--at a memorial service held at a chapel in Iraq. 
More than 200 Marines and sailors attended the service, where the seven 
rifles were placed in front of the chapel, each inverted

[[Page S11119]]

with the helmets resting on top. Identification tags for each Marine 
hung from the rifles.
  Gordon's friend and fellow Marine, SSG Frank Lipcsak from Lima 
Company, spoke about Gordon during the service. He remembered how 
Gordon became known for always being a team player. That's simply the 
type of person Gordon was--always willing to work with others, always 
willing to do his best for the greater good. ``He and I became pretty 
good friends in the short time that he was with us,'' the Staff 
Sergeant recalled. ``When you talked to Gordon Solomon you were dealing 
with a man, a Marine, and a staff non-commissioned officer--in that 
order.''
  He also said that even after Gordon left Lima Company, he still made 
time to come back and visit with his old company. This is what he said:

       [Gordon] would come back to our company area from time to 
     time to hang out with us and see how things were going with 
     our Marines. I have faith that Gordon is in a better place. 
     He was our brother, and we miss him dearly. Our prayers are 
     with his wife, son, and the rest of his family.

  At the memorial service, LT Todd S. Desgrosseilliers, the battalion's 
commanding officer, spoke of the bravery and courage that Gordon and 
his fellow fallen Marines exhibited.

       Look no further for heroes. We know seven of them. . . . We 
     memorialize them because, in the end, they were true to their 
     word. They swore an oath that they would follow orders and 
     defend our Nation against all enemies foreign and domestic. 
     They gave a part of themselves to be a part of something 
     larger than themselves. We honor their sacrifice and their 
     courage in the face of danger. They will forever be with us.

  Unquestionably, Gordon Solomon was a man who believed in the greater 
good. He served America selflessly--more concerned for the safety and 
well-being of others than for his own. He defined bravery and courage.
  When I think of the sacrifice made by SSG Gordon Solomon, I think of 
words once spoken by one of our country's greatest leaders, President 
Dwight D. Eisenhower, when he said:

       Neither a wise man nor a brave man lies down on the tracks 
     of history to wait for the train of the future to run over 
     him.

  Indeed, Gordon Solomon never lied down on those tracks. Instead, he 
was moving into the future, making history as he went. He was wise, and 
he was brave. With his life and actions, he changed the world so that 
we all live in a better and safer place. He did not sit idle. He did 
not rest. Rather, he willingly chose to serve our Nation the best way 
he knew how--as a United States Marine.
  We are eternally grateful for the incredible service that Gordon 
provided during his time with the Marines. It is clear that he had a 
great impact on the men and women with whom he served. A dedicated 
Marine, who loved his family and his friends, Gordon will be deeply 
missed. His death is a loss to us all.
  As 1LT Barry Edwards noted, ``[When] losing a Marine, especially a 
well-decorated one like this, the loss will be felt by the unit and 
Marine Corp-wide.''
  My wife, Fran, and I will continue to keep Gordon and his family in 
our thoughts and prayers.


                           Sergeant Adam Knox

  Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to Army Sergeant Adam 
Knox, who was killed on September 17, 2006, when his patrol encountered 
small-arms fire during combat operations in Baghdad, Iraq. Sergeant 
Knox was assigned to the 346th Psychological Operations Company, based 
in Columbus, OH. He was 21 years old.
  Adam was born on January 26, 1985. As a life-long resident of the 
Columbus area, he developed strong relationships with his family and 
friends. Friends describe Adam as a ``man's man,'' who loved rebuilding 
and taking care of cars, especially his prized possession--a Z28 Camaro 
that he would ``scrub inside and out every weekend.'' Friends say that 
Adam's inclination to precision and order made him well-suited for the 
Army.
  Adam graduated from Westland High School in Galloway, OH, and shared 
with his friends and family his love for the Ohio State University 
Buckeyes football team. In fact, Adam was probably one of the Buckeye's 
biggest fans--he would cheer so loudly during football games that his 
friends said ``people two counties over could hear him.'' Adam even 
missed his homecoming dance at Westland High School to watch an Ohio 
State football game. While living in Columbus, Adam was also a 
dedicated worker at a Meijer store, Skyline Chili and, just before he 
mobilized with his unit, at a business-products wholesaler operation.
  Adam loved his family and was very proud that his father, Jay Knox, 
had served in the Army. In fact, it was his father's service and 
influence that played a major part in Adam's own decision to join the 
Army Reserves in 2003, just after he graduated from high school. 
Although Adam's father Jay was sick with an inoperable spinal tumor 
when his son enlisted, he lived long enough to see Adam complete most 
of his training. After the loss of his father, Adam sought to continue 
his father's legacy of fighting for our country.
  In March 2006, Adam deployed with the 346th Psychological Operations 
Company to Iraq. Part of the company's job is to help the United States 
develop relationships with the Iraqi people. Adam handed out candy and 
soccer balls to Iraqi children, and he ate dinner with Iraqi officials. 
Adam loved his mission and truly believed in what the military was 
doing in Iraq.
  Indeed, Adam touched countless lives through his service to America 
and his support of the Iraqi people. Adam would often tell friends that 
people should focus on the good that individual soldiers were doing in 
Iraq. It was this optimism and strength that made Adam so special.
  Even while serving in Iraq, Adam was still a die-hard fan of Ohio 
State football. During the Ohio State versus Texas game, he eagerly 
stayed up until 2 a.m., so he could watch. Adam also scheduled his 
leave around the Ohio State versus Michigan game, so he could be in 
Columbus at the time. Adam's goal was to attend The Ohio State 
University after his military service. I am certain that Adam would 
have reached this goal, and that his family and friends would have been 
very proud.
  The same qualities that made Adam an outstanding human being made him 
an exceptional soldier. He was a dedicated and courageous soldier, who 
was greatly respected by his comrades. When his patrol team found a 
weapons cache, he was the first person to go through the entrance to 
the building. Adam's fellow soldiers looked to him for his bravery and 
support.
  Because of his hard work and commitment in the field, Adam was 
quickly promoted to Sergeant on September 15, 2006, after only three 
years in the Army. He had told his mother that he had only about 
another week left of dangerous missions in Baghdad, and then he would 
be sent back to his unit to train other soldiers.
  For his bravery and service to our Nation, Adam received multiple 
awards, including the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, National Defense 
Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, and the Armed Forces Reserve 
Medal.
  MG Herbert Shuler, who commands the Army's Psychological Operations 
and Civil Affairs and who served with Adam, said this about him: 
``Every generation has its heroes. Adam Knox is a hero for this 
generation.''
  One of Adam's friends and fellow Marines, SGT Travis Watson, spoke at 
a memorial service in Adam's honor in Iraq. And on an Internet tribute 
website, Travis left the following message for Adam's family:

       I send my sympathies for your loss of Adam. He was a dear 
     friend of all of us at the 346th, and he will be terribly 
     missed. I feel extremely fortunate to have spent the time I 
     did with him and to have deployed with him. He was a very 
     good soldier, and an even better friend.

  Adam was an outstanding person--someone who was loved dearly by his 
family and friends, his fellow servicemembers, the children of Iraq, 
and simply anyone else who came in contact with him. Adam truly is a 
symbol of bravery, sacrifice, and honor. We owe it to him to celebrate 
his life--a life devoted to helping others and keeping us safe. It is 
in these good deeds that his memory lives on.
  Adam Knox was a caring, brave, and selfless man. He will be 
remembered as a devoted son, a kind brother, and a beloved friend. The 
world is a better place because of him.
  My wife Fran and I continue to keep Adam's mother Deborah and his 
brothers Tom and Tony in our thoughts and prayers.

[[Page S11120]]

                         CORPORAL ROBERT WEBER

  Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to a young Ohioan who lost 
his life while serving our Nation on his second tour of duty in Iraq--
Army Corporal Robert Weber, from Western Hills. Corporal Weber was 
killed on September 30, 2006, when his military vehicle overturned. He 
was 22 years old.
  Mr. President, as a soldier, Corporal Weber took great pride in 
reconstructing Iraq. He told his family that he and his fellow soldiers 
were building schools, roads, and churches. He was a brave young man 
who was deeply committed to serving and aiding our Nation. For his 
dedicated service in the Army and his unwavering courage, he earned the 
distinguished Bronze Star Medal.
  Robert, who was called ``Bobby'' by those closest to him, grew up in 
Delhi Township outside Cincinnati, as the only child of Cathy and 
Martin Weber. Robin McIntosh, a family friend, describes Bobby as, ``a 
sweet, caring young man, who died doing something he believed in. He 
knew the risks, but felt he was doing the right thing.''
  Bobby was dedicated both to his family and to his country. His aunt, 
Debbie Niehoff, recalls that Bobby loved children and enjoyed spending 
time with his younger relatives, wrestling and playing. They all looked 
up to him.
  Bobby's love and dedication to children compelled him to dream about 
one day becoming a history teacher. To pursue his goal, he enlisted in 
the Army several months after graduating from Dater High School in 
2003. Mary Ann Ellis, an English teacher at Dater High School who 
taught Bobby for 2 years, said she enjoyed his quiet nature and 
thorough work ethic. ``He was very giving, loving, and funny,'' she 
described.
  Fresh out of basic and advanced training in May 2004, Bobby was 
assigned to the artillery battalion of the 3rd brigade, based in Fort 
Lewis, WA. Major Robert Bennett was the artillery battalion's 
operations officer at the time. He said this about Bobby:

       Weber was one of those kids who never met a stranger in his 
     life. He was outgoing, very friendly. He was just a good kid. 
     He always wanted to be helpful.

  Jason Thompson, who served with Bobby, described their time together 
in a message on an Internet tribute website:

       [Bobby] was a very good man. I served with Weber in his 
     first tour to Iraq. He spent a lot of time on my truck as a 
     gunner. He had a wonderful sense of humor and always kept a 
     smile on my face. He will be missed.

  Mr. President, between his first and second assignments in Iraq, 
Bobby stopped by his old high school. By the stories he shared there, 
you could tell that he really felt like he was doing the right thing. 
His former teacher, Mary Ann Ellis, explained that ``he was very 
excited about serving his country . . . and proud of the work he was 
doing.'' Principal Beverly Eby remembers that during his visit, Bobby 
explained to staff that the tour conditions were very hot, but that 
``he had found his place.''
  While e-mailing his family back home, Bobby described his work in his 
second tour in Iraq as tougher and more dangerous. He worked as a 
gunner and was put in many difficult situations. But his positive 
attitude kept him--and his fellow soldiers--going. Major Robert Bennett 
recalls one of his upbeat moments:

       Even if we were in the field, [or] if it was raining like 
     crazy, up to our knees in muck and mud, he'd say ``Sir, it 
     rained about five percent less in my tent last night, so I'd 
     say things are looking up!''

  Bobby was light-hearted and good-natured. He enjoyed teasing Major 
Bennett about baseball. Bobby was a fervent fan of the Cincinnati Reds 
and never missed a chance to rib his senior officer about baseball. 
Major Bennett remembers, ``He used to give me unending grief about my 
beloved Chicago Cubs.''
  Besides his passion for the Cincinnati Reds, Bobby also loved the 
mountains and talked about living there after this tour of duty was up. 
His aunt Debbie remembers when Bobby first spoke of joining the 
military. ``I wasn't thrilled about his decision,'' she said. ``But, he 
was very adamant about serving his country.'' She remembers how proud 
Bobby was of the rebuilding work he was doing with the Army.
  Of course Debbie, as well as Bobby's other family and friends, will 
remember much more than just his bravery and service in Iraq. They will 
remember his good character and willingness to help anyone in need. 
Debbie remembers a snowstorm that hit during the 2004 Christmas season. 
Bobby came over to her house and shoveled her driveway. Afterwards, he 
went over to his aunt's neighbor, who was home with her two children, 
and did the same for her. But he didn't stop there. ``He worked all day 
helping neighbors,'' Debbie recalls.
  Bobby and his bright blue eyes are dearly missed. His bravery is 
matched only by the size of his big heart. He was a good person, who 
was full of life and had a passion to serve.
  I think the marquee outside his high school on the day of his funeral 
said it best: ``Out of our lives. But not out of our hearts.''
  Indeed, Mr. President, Bobby Weber will remain always in our hearts.
  My wife Fran and I continue to keep his family and friends in our 
thoughts and prayers.


                     MASTER SERGEANT BRAD CLEMMONS

  Mr. President, I rise today to honor the life of MSgt Brad Clemmons, 
from Chillicothe, OH. On August 21, 2006, Master Sergeant Clemmons died 
when his convoy in Iraq was hit by an improvised explosive device. At 
the time, he had been serving in Iraq for only two weeks. He was 37 
years old.
  Master Sergeant Clemmons was the husband of Rebecca and the devoted 
father of Isabelle, Nicholas, and Zachary. He was also the son of David 
Clemmons and Pamela Clemmons, and the brother of Amy, Shelley, and 
Michael Clemmons. He is also survived by his grandparents--Cecil and 
Anne Clemmons, and Richard and Marjorie Graves.
  Two days before his death, Brad's wife Rebecca told him that he was 
going to be a dad for the fourth time. She remembers that Brad, a 
doting father, was delighted by the news. It is, indeed, tragic that 
Brad did not live to see his new baby. However, the child is expected 
to be born in April, and Rebecca says it will be named Brad if it's a 
boy.
  Even as a child, Brad felt drawn to the military. His childhood 
friend Marcus Bost remembers the days when he and Brad would play war 
games together; that is, if they weren't already busy chasing snakes or 
catching crawdads in Stoney Creek. Brad's mother recalls that her son 
would even pretend to make bombs out of tubes of Old Spice deodorant.
  Explosives interested Brad. And it was this interest that led him to 
a successful career in the military, where he an explosive ordnance 
disposal craftsman--someone who helped diffuse bombs.
  Brad entered the Air Force in 1987, after graduating from 
Southeastern High School. He had signed up to join even before his 18th 
birthday. According to his father, Brad had always known that the 
military was going to be his career.
  Brad was deployed to Iraq as a weapons intelligence flight team 
leader for the 354th Civil Engineer Squadron, based in Alaska. His work 
in Iraq was both critical and dangerous. According to LTC Frank 
Freeman, Brad's job was to lead his team in collecting crucial evidence 
and post-blast analysis of improvised explosive devices--IEDs--the 
number one killer in Iraq. Brad would then take what he learned and 
teach his fellow servicemen how to remain safe from IEDs.
  Lieutenant Colonel Freeman particularly remembers Brad's leadership 
capability. During a memorial ceremony for Brad in Iraq, he said the 
following:

       One of his best qualities was [Brad's] leadership. His team 
     couldn't wait to get back out after the incident, because 
     they know that is what Sergeant Clemmons would want them to 
     do. In times of war, we see human nature at its extremes. We 
     see it at both its absolute worst and absolute best. Today, 
     we honor one of the best. Brad was a true hero; a hero who 
     put service before self and died in the line of duty.

  Lieutenant Colonel Stan Giles, a chaplain, also remembered Brad's 
extraordinary bravery, saying this:

       Nearly 20 years ago, Brad entered perhaps the most 
     dangerous of all career fields. He became an instructor in 
     the most dangerous of all professions and then volunteered to 
     work in the most dangerous of all neighborhoods here in Iraq.

  Brad spent nearly 20 years of his life serving our Nation in the Air 
Force.

[[Page S11121]]

When he died, he was on a mission to analyze two reported IEDs--simply, 
he was working to keep his fellow servicemembers safe. For his bravery 
and dedication, Brad received both the Purple Heart and the Bronze 
Star.
  Clearly, Brad was an exceptional Airman, but he was also an 
exceptional human being. Pastor F. Douglas Hudson is a reserve military 
chaplain in Rammstein, Germany, where Brad had once been stationed. 
Hudson came to know both Brad and his wife Rebecca well, and baptized 
their daughter, Isabelle. Hudson recalls that he was always impressed 
by Brad's wit, knowledge, and devotion to his family. This is what he 
said about Brad:

       He was always talking about training the soldiers and 
     getting them prepared for the worst-case scenario. If there's 
     one thing I can say about Brad, I'm not sure if he was afraid 
     of anything.

  Brad was a wonderful man, completely dedicated to his family and 
those he loved. His parents recall that he was an honors student who 
consistently held himself to the very highest standards. Pam remembers, 
``He was one of the most honest people that I've ever met in my life.''
  It was while serving in Germany that Brad met Rebecca--the love of 
his life. She remembers that she was first drawn to Brad because of his 
way with children. ``He was Uncle Brad to everybody,'' she recalls. As 
a couple, Brad and Rebecca were always happiest simply spending time 
with family and friends, doing things like going to church or playing 
board games.
  Before Brad left for Iraq, Rebecca put her feelings into a poem she 
gave to him. This is what she wrote:

       As you leave tomorrow, promise we won't be far apart.
       As you leave tomorrow, promise the love will never part.

  Brad kept this poem close to him until the day he died. According to 
Rebecca, ``He didn't like you to know he was a sentimentalist. He 
carried it around in his wallet.''
  Brad will always be a hero to his family, not just because he served 
in Iraq, but simply because of his love and compassion. In Rebecca's 
words, Brad ``was a great person. He was a great father, a great 
husband--a dedicated father, dedicated to serving his country.''
  Brad's mother remembers his last words to her--``That he loved me,'' 
she said. She continued. ``And that's one thing that I always knew--
that his family and his country were uppermost in his life and God is 
number one. And my son is with God tonight.''
  Mr. President, I was fortunate enough to attend the calling hours in 
Brad's memory. I am honored that I had the opportunity to meet his wife 
Rebecca, his mother Pam and his father David. As I learned talking to 
them, Brad Clemmons was, indeed, an exceptional human being, who was 
loved by his wife, his children, his parents, his family, his friends, 
his fellow Air Force airmen, and anyone else who met him. His Aunt 
Jackie Arbaugh remembers that he simply had a magnetic personality. As 
she put it, ``He was a fine young man. He was just loved by everyone 
who knew him.''
  Brad Clemmons was a good person--someone who will always be 
remembered both for his laughter and his intelligence. Because he 
lived, our world is a better place. My wife Fran and I will continue to 
keep his family in our thoughts and prayers.


                      Sergeant Justin Tyler Walsh

  Mr. President, this afternoon I come to the Senate floor to pay 
tribute to a selfless marine from Cuyahoga Falls, OH--SGT Justin Tyler 
Walsh. Justin died on October 11, 2006, after he had been critically 
wounded by an improvised explosive device 1 week earlier in Al Anbar 
Province in Iraq. Justin was 24 years of age at the time of his death.
  Justin enlisted in the Marines shortly after graduating Cuyahoga 
Falls High School in 2001. Greg Roth, his advanced placement U.S. 
History teacher, said that Justin had talked about going into the 
Marines from the time he was a freshman. He had a great sense of humor 
but a serious side as well. Roth said:

       Justin [just] seemed to know what was important and what 
     wasn't. You're talking about a fantastic young man.

  At Cuyahoga Falls High, Justin played football. He also wrestled. Don 
Ross was Justin's football coach there and remembers that Justin was 
extremely hard working. He recalls this about him:

       Justin wasn't your biggest lineman, but he made up for his 
     lack of size with hustle. He always had a tremendous attitude 
     and always had a smile on his face. He was a great kid. As a 
     football coach, you don't always remember all your players. 
     But, he was one of those players who you always remember.

  Justin was also involved in the school's student council and was a 
member of the Latin Club, National Honor Society, and Fellowship of 
Christian Athletes.
  Humanities teacher Joel Morgan remembers that Justin was a focused 
young man who led by example.

       I remember his leadership skills in the classroom. He did 
     it in a way that the other students didn't know he was doing 
     it. If you needed him to bail you out of a quiet, 
     nonparticipating event, you could count on Justin to get the 
     conversation going.

  Upon entering the Marines in 2001, Justin trained to become a 
nuclear, biological, and chemical defense specialist. He was deployed 
to Kuwait as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom on January 9, 2003. He 
served for 6 months in his first deployment and returned to Iraq less 
than 1 year later for his second deployment. It was during this 
deployment that he was promoted to the rank of sergeant.
  Still, Justin pushed himself further. He requested a lateral move 
within the Marine Corps to the Explosive Ordinance Disposal field where 
he would be working on bomb disposal.
  Justin quickly learned the new skills needed for this job and 
graduated from EOD school in November of 2005. Eager to continue his 
service and to utilize his new training, he left for his third Iraq 
deployment in August 2006. During this time, he conducted numerous EOD 
combat missions where he rendered safe roadside bombs. Ultimately, 
though, this was the work that would take Justin's life.
  On October 5, 2006, Justin was disassembling a roadside bomb, working 
to ensure the safety of his fellow marines, as well as other military 
and civilian personnel. A second roadside bomb in the area detonated, 
critically wounding Justin. He received medical care both in Iraq and 
Germany before being transferred to the National Naval Medical Center 
in Maryland.
  Justin died from his wounds on October 11, 2006, with his family and 
close friends by his side. His father James said his son was proud to 
be a marine, and he was glad Justin passed away in the country that he 
died fighting for.
  After his death, Justin was honored by his alma mater during their 
homecoming football game. His jersey number, No. 56, was painted in the 
end zones and his picture appeared on a giant poster with a banner 
reading ``Fallen Hero.''
  Those who knew Justin weren't surprised that his leadership skills 
and selfless nature transferred over to his career as a member of the 
U.S. Marine Corps. One friend recalled this about him:

       Justin had every opportunity to do other things in his 
     life, and he chose to do this. There aren't many kids who 
     want to be a bomb specialist, especially for the Marines.

  His brother James said that Justin chose a dangerous position in the 
EOD unit because ``he felt he could save some marines' lives by doing 
that.'' James recalled that:

       Justin took his job very seriously. But as far as life 
     went, he enjoyed life. He lived in the moment.

  He was also selfless. Justin was constantly concerned about the well-
being of others, more so than his own. Kara Desmarais, whose husband 
was stationed with Justin in North Carolina, shared this memory of 
Justin:

       At our cookouts, he was helping me in the kitchen--mostly 
     telling stories or the latest gossip to make me laugh--on the 
     grill helping my husband, or playing with the kids to help 
     out. We are going to miss his funny stories, his laugh, his 
     smile, and, most of all, his friendship.

  SGT Jeremy McAbee wrote the following on a tribute Web site to 
Justin:

       Thanks for leading the way and bringing out my true colors. 
     You were always a hero to me, even when I pinned sergeant on 
     you.

  Justin is truly a hero. With his selfless courage, leadership, and 
service, he was the model of what every parent dreams their child will 
become. Today we remember the sacrifices of this fine marine and 
resolve that his life will not be forgotten but rather emulated by all 
who are left behind to cherish his memory.
  My wife Fran and I continue to keep Justin's father James, his mom 
and his

[[Page S11122]]

stepfather, Terry Walsh-Silvey and Thomas Silvey, brother James, and 
sister Heather in our thoughts and our prayers.


                      Captain Matthew C. Mattingly

  Mr. President, this afternoon I wish to speak in the Senate to honor 
the life of Army CPT Matthew C. Mattingly from Reynoldsburg, OH. 
Captain Mattingly, a decorated officer, commanded Troop A of the 1st 
Squadron, 17th Calvary Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division based out 
of Fort Bragg, NC. On September 13, 2006, he was killed when direct 
gunfire struck a reconnaissance helicopter he was copiloting near 
Mosul, Iraq. He was 30 years old.
  Growing up in Reynoldsburg, Matt, as his family and friends called 
him, loved sports, particularly softball and football. And according to 
his father Dennis, he had a passion for flying ever since he was a 
small boy. As a student at Reynoldsburg High School, Matt proudly wore 
No. 63 as a member of the football team. Dan Hoffman, the former 
principal of Reynoldsburg High, recalls this about Matt:

       He was a top-flight kid, the kind of kid you would want 
     defending your country--a solid kid from a solid family.

  After graduating from high school, Matt attended Xavier University, 
where he seized the opportunity to serve his country by joining the 
Reserve Officers' Training Corps, ROTC. One of Matt's classmates wrote 
the following in a message posted to an Internet tribute Web site in 
Matt's honor:

       Matt always had a smile on his face and was always having a 
     good time. He loved life, and he loved the Army. I have no 
     doubt that Matt was as superior an officer as he was a 
     superior cadet. I will miss him very much.

  Matt graduated from Xavier University in 1998, after which he was 
commissioned as a second lieutenant and went into the Army. In 1999, he 
successfully completed aviation officer basic training.
  Matt was a committed and dedicated soldier. In 2002, he served in 
Bosnia with the 25th Infantry Division as part of the NATO 
stabilization force. In 2003, he deployed to Iraq and served with 
distinction in the 4th Infantry Division. During his first deployment, 
his actions earned him the Bronze Star and an Air Medal with Valor 
honor for his bravery and for his heroism. In 2004, Matt was assigned 
to the 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade and returned to Iraq.
  According to his father, Matt was planning on making the Army his 
career. Family friend, Beverly Denney, said that Matt saved the lives 
of several soldiers on the ground during the battle with his 
helicopter--the battle in which Matt tragically lost his life. In 
Beverly's words, Matt ``was a very kind, considerate, respectable young 
man. He was truly always thinking about others.''
  COL Kelly Thomas is the commander of the 82nd Combat Aviation 
Brigade. This is what Colonel Thomas had to say about Matt:

       This is a huge loss. I've known Matt since he was a 
     lieutenant in Sarajevo. He was a professional warrior, a 
     combat veteran, a caring troop commander. He was a dynamic 
     officer. He served his squadron and nation doing what he did 
     best, leading and caring for his troopers.

  For his brave actions in Iraq, Matt was awarded the Purple Heart.
  Matt had another love besides the military, a love that was strong, 
and that was for Alicia Burke. This past July, before being deployed to 
Iraq for a second time, Matt became engaged to Alicia, a captain in the 
Air Force. She was truly the love of his life.
  Matt's family and friends fondly remember his wonderful sense of 
humor. At the funeral, his sister Michelle read a letter from a first 
sergeant who had served with him. In the letter, the first sergeant 
remembered how he would puzzle all day over something Matt had said 
that morning that seemed particularly smart, only to have Matt tell him 
that evening that he just made it up.
  Those who knew Matt will always remember how he liked to sing karaoke 
and that he was a fan of the Ohio State University Buckeyes. His sister 
Michelle will remember him as the best brother she ever could have 
had--a childhood rival and then a friend and then a role model.
  Army Captain Mattingly truly was an extraordinary American. He was a 
man who loved God, family, and country. Selfless and humble, Matt put 
the needs and concerns of others above his own.
  Sergeant First Class Martinez served with Matt in both Texas and 
Hawaii. He remembers Matt's caring nature and will always treasure a 
special hat he gave him. The sergeant said this about his friend:

       I'd served with Captain Matthew Mattingly while at Fort 
     Hood, Texas, and in Hawaii, while he was my platoon leader, 
     my mentor, and most of all, my friend. . . .We did learn a 
     lot from each other and even though I'm dealing with this 
     great loss, I'm also celebrating his life and treasuring all 
     the great moments we'd shared. . . .I do promise that you 
     will never be forgotten.

  Motivated by a sense of honor and duty, Matt always tried to do what 
was right and not what was always necessarily easy. We are eternally 
thankful for Matthew's enduring convictions, his character, and for his 
service.
  I conclude with the words of Matt's sister, Michelle, who wrote the 
following in tribute to him:

       It is overwhelming to know how much Matt was loved by the 
     Army and to know the love from Ohio was the same. I wanted to 
     thank his troop and Officer Quinn for bringing my brother 
     home. My brother loved flying and his family even when we 
     weren't there. The only thing that saddens me is that Matt 
     never got to have a family. He would be a great dad. But 
     knowing that the 1-17 Cavalry was his family gives me great 
     peace. Thank you so much.

  My wife Fran and I continue to keep Matthew's family--his father and 
stepmother, Dennis and Barbara Mattingly, his mother and stepfather, 
Randi Mattingly and Ron Fridley, his sisters Michelle, Kethryn 
Mattingly, and his fiancee, CPT Alicia Burke--in our thoughts and in 
our prayers.


                      Corporal Timothy David Roos

  Mr. President, this afternoon I would like to pay tribute to Marine 
Cpl Timothy David Roos from Delhi Township, OH. On July 27, 2006, 
Corporal Roos was killed when an improvised explosive device detonated 
while he was conducting combat operations in the Al Anbar Province in 
Iraq. He was 21 years old at the time and just a month away from 
returning home to Ohio.
  Timothy was a vehicle commander for the 2nd Platoon of the 3rd 
Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment. He joined the Marines with his cousin 
Jeffrey. He had wanted to be in the Marines ever since he was a very 
small boy. Timothy's father Rick had also served as a marine and had 
spent time in Vietnam. His dad remembers how Timothy and his brother 
Adam would always play in the woods as boys. As Rick recalls:

       Timothy always had my old uniforms on, and that's what he 
     wanted to be: A marine.

  Timothy's family remembers him as a brave young man who was so proud 
to be a marine. ``He loved doing his job and loved the Marine Corps,'' 
his father said.
  His brother Adam recalls this about Timothy's career as a marine:

       Tim was a great marine. He loved his job. He loved doing 
     it. There really wasn't much that Tim wasn't proud of about 
     his service.

  Since joining the Marines in 2003, Timothy had faced major attacks 
several times. He was deployed to Haiti in the year 2004 and came under 
fire twice in Iraq in 2005. Just this past May, Timothy's humvee ran 
over an IED that exploded. All of the marines in the vehicle escaped 
uninjured.
  After the humvee incident, Timothy told a Marine Corps news 
publication that working as a marine could be frightening. This is what 
he said:

       The explosion shattered all of the glass in the vehicle, 
     popped all 4 doors open, and sent shrapnel ripping through 
     the engine. It's scary, and if you are not scared, there is 
     something wrong with you. But it is our job, so you've got to 
     do it.

  Those were very brave words from a young man who was only 21 years 
old.
  Timothy graduated from Oak Hills High School in Bridgetown in 2003. A 
dedicated swimmer, he still holds some of the local records. Before 
graduating, Timothy also attended Diamond Oaks Vocational School in 
Dent, OH, where he studied automotive technology and was active in 
their Reserve Officer Training Corps Program.
  Along with the rest of his family, Timothy was an avid fan of the 
Green Bay Packers football team. The day before he was killed, he spoke 
with his father, and they made plans to see a Packers game and to go 
camping.
  Timothy was scheduled to return to Ohio on brief leave so he could 
see his wife of 3 years, Sara, and their newborn daughter Annaliese, 
who was born just 2 weeks before he died. Tragically, Timothy never had 
the chance to--never had the chance to hold his baby girl.
  His brother Adam recalls that Timothy was ready to be a dad. He was 
excited and a bit nervous. Timothy's

[[Page S11123]]

brother-in-law Brian Pearson remembers how important family was to him. 
``He was very much looking forward to coming home and seeing his 
daughter,'' he says.
  Days after Timothy's death, ``It's a girl!'' signs were still posted 
around the house. As his wife Sara recalls:

       He was all about having a baby from day one. He was just so 
     excited, so excited to be a father.

  Sara was indeed the love of Timothy's life. They had been sweethearts 
ever since their time together at Delhi Junior High School when they 
sat next to each other in their eighth grade math class. Sara fondly 
remembers their school days together and the time when Timothy 
transformed from a quiet boy into a tall man. As she recalls:

       My jaw hit the floor when I realized who he was. He was 
     skinny and as handsome as could be.

  Timothy and Sara were made for each other. They so enjoyed their time 
growing up together. Sara often laughs about their punk phase when the 
two of them sported dyed hair and pierced ears. Outside of the 
classroom, they often attended concerts together. Sara once commented:

       I don't think a lot of people really believe you find your 
     soulmate when you're 17, but we did. I doubt many people ever 
     have what we had.

  Timothy and Sara were married just a month before he left for boot 
camp in North Carolina. While home on leave in March 2006, Timothy 
visited his old high school. His former teachers there remember him so 
well. As the school's public relations coordinator Rebecca Beckstedt 
said:

       He felt very connected to the students and staff at Great 
     Oaks. There's nothing harder for a school to lose than a 
     student. It's heartbreaking.

  Those who knew Timothy will always remember him for the way he made 
everyone laugh. At school he had a reputation of being a great kid with 
a great sense of humor. As his brother Adam said at Timothy's funeral:

       He was hilarious. He was always doing something goofy.

  Timothy's dedication and sacrifice continue to be an inspiration to 
those who knew him. Even though he had survived previous attacks and 
was well aware of the dangers of life in a combat zone, he often spoke 
of reenlisting. In the words of his brother: ``That's why he's my 
hero.''
  Adam also knows his brother Timothy died doing what he wanted to do--
serving our Nation. In Adam's words:

       Deep, deep in Timothy's heart, that's what he wanted to do.

  The hundreds of people lining the Delhi Township streets to watch 
Timothy's funeral procession were equally moved. As the procession 
passed, 8-year-old Vincent Neely commented that he, too, wants to be a 
marine when he gets older. ``It's the biggest sacrifice anyone can make 
for anything,'' he said.
  His family friend Diane Heileman said:

       It really gets your heart when you know we lost another 
     one, but if it weren't for them, we wouldn't all be here--our 
     freedom, they're protecting all of us.

  Indeed, our world is simply a better place because he lived. He was a 
young man who genuinely loved life and had compassion for others. His 
dedication to his family, his friends, his fellow marines, his local 
community, and his country is inspiring.
  Let me conclude by mentioning, as I was preparing to speak today in 
honor of Timothy, I saw in his biography that he had served in Haiti. I 
recalled when I was there visiting our marines. I went back to some 
photographs that were taken during a trip that Fran and I took there in 
2004. When we were there, we made a point of visiting with the Ohio 
marines who were serving in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. I went back through 
the individual pictures we took of them and I found one. I found one 
that I had taken of Timothy. Here is the picture. I am privileged to 
have had a brief meeting with Timothy in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. I saw 
then firsthand the differences our troops were making in Haiti. I know 
the Chair in his travels and the other Members of the Senate have seen 
what I have seen when we have seen our troops overseas. They are the 
best. They are people who are making a difference every single day. 
Timothy made a difference in Haiti. He made a difference in Iraq. He 
made a difference wherever he served. Of that, Mr. President, I am 
certain.

  My wife Fran and I continue to keep Timothy, his wife Sara, their 
daughter Annaliese, his parents, Rick and Janice, and his older brother 
Adam in our thoughts and in our prayers.


            Private First Class James P. ``J.P.'' White, Jr.

  Mr. President, this afternoon I would like to pay tribute to a 
remarkable young man, Army PFC James P. ``J.P.'' White, Jr., from Huber 
Heights, OH. On August 11, 2006, Private White was killed in 
Afghanistan when enemy forces attacked his platoon with rocket-
propelled grenades and small arms fire. He was just 19 years of age at 
the time of his death.
  Mr. President, it is impossible to make sense of the death of anyone 
so young. J.P. lived a great deal of life in his all too brief 19 years 
on this Earth. It is important that we recognize that he died for 
something he believed in, doing an important job he loved. J.P.'s 
grandmother Amy Phipps perhaps said it best:

       J.P. always, always wanted to join the Army. He thought he 
     should protect us by fighting the terrorists. I'm proud of 
     everything he has done. We were very blessed. He gave his 
     life for us.

  J.P. was indeed a blessing to all who knew him and to those of us who 
did not. He was one of those special and courageous individuals who 
spent his life defending others. And for that, we owe him and his 
family a debt of gratitude which we simply will never ever be able to 
repay.
  Growing up in a family with a rich military tradition, J.P. knew 
early on he wanted to serve his country, and he nourished that desire 
every chance he got. At Wayne High School he joined the Reserve 
Officers Training Corps where he rose to the rank of cadet captain and 
class leader his senior year. He captained the Armed Exhibition Drill 
Team, a unit that he led to within a single point of a trophy in local 
competition. His friend and teammate, Joshua Shea said:

       J.P. was disciplined. He knew what he was doing.

  For all of his focus and determination, J.P. was also a very fun-
loving person. Like other teenagers, he enjoyed computers, video games, 
and hanging out with his friends. Many of his friends remember him 
playing a game which they had improvised. It involved bouncing a 
racquet ball off a wall using only a player's head. Not surprisingly, 
J.P. referred to it as ``head ball.'' One of J.P.'s friends, Casey 
Sullivan, said that underneath the disciplined Army soldier was a big 
goofball at heart. His friends loved him dearly.
  Upon graduation from Wayne High School in 2005, J.P. immediately 
enlisted in the Army. J.P.'s father James said that they discussed at 
length his decision to join, but there was never a moment's hesitation 
on his son's part. As James put it simply: ``He was sure.''
  J.P. joined the military along with a childhood friend, Marine LCpl 
Ryan Pennington. The two kidded each other all the time about who had 
joined the better branch of the military. Between a committed Army man 
and a committed marine, I am not sure this was an argument they would 
ever resolve, but both knew what it meant and understood what it meant 
to serve.
  Ryan recalled that J.P. was extremely committed to serving and was 
prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice.

       I know J.P. knew the risks. We all do, and we accept them.

  In July of 2005, J.P. shipped out for boot camp at Fort Drum in New 
York. He completed basic and advanced training at Fort Benning, GA, to 
be an infantryman. He was a member of the 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry 
Division, 3rd Brigade Combat Team for the 10th Mountain Division. In 
March of 2006, his platoon was deployed to Afghanistan as part of 
Operation Enduring Freedom.
  Serving in the field and frontline is precisely what J.P. had 
envisioned when he was growing up. According to his high school ROTC 
instructor, SGT Michael Cannon:

       J.P. probably could have had any job in the Army. He didn't 
     want a desk job. He was doing exactly what he wanted--combat 
     and convoy operations.

  After several months of deployment, J.P. returned home for his sister 
April's high school graduation in June

[[Page S11124]]

2006. Tragically, this would be his last time with his family and 
friends at home. He left on Father's Day.
  Before leaving, J.P. and his father talked about the war and his 
experience of fighting for our country. In spite of all the danger, 
J.P. was resolute in his commitment to the fight for freedom. His 
father said:

       He never feared going back. He just told me he was doing 
     his job. He was proud to serve his country. I believe that 
     he's a great hero.
  News of J.P.'s death this past August came as shock to all his family 
and friends. When his father got word, he knew that there was no way he 
could tell J.P.'s other relatives in Illinois over the telephone. 
Instead, he got in his car and drove his family the 4 hours from Huber 
Heights, OH, to Mount Pulaski, IL, to deliver the news in person.
  ``It was a long ride to be driving and crying,'' his father said. 
``He was a wonderful kid--very well behaved and well respected.''
  J.P.'s life and sacrifice were honored at a funeral on the morning of 
August 21st at St. Peter Catholic Church in Huber Heights. Reverend 
Darrell Perry presided over the ceremony. He closed by reminding 
everyone that ``J.P. gave his life doing what he believed in.''
  With flags flying at half staff throughout Huber Heights, a 
procession took J.P. to his final resting place at Dayton's National 
Cemetery, where he was buried with full military honors. During the 
procession, 30 Patriot Guard Riders from across the State of Ohio 
joined J.P.'s family. These men came from all over on their bikes to 
serve as part of a color guard for J.P.
  Bryan McCoy, one of the Patriot Guard Riders who joined family and 
friends at the service, traveled all the way from Akron to pay his 
respects to J.P. and his loved ones. ``I'm too old (to join the 
fighting overseas),'' he said. ``I just want to offer my support.''
  At the Cemetery, BG Joe Orr presented J.P.'s family with the Bronze 
Star on his behalf for bravery, heroism and meritorious service.
  ``He's going to be very, very sadly missed,'' said J.P.'s grandmother 
Amy. ``But we know he's in God's arms.''
  Yes, J.P. is in God's arms and in the hearts and minds of all who had 
the good fortune to have known him.
  My wife Fran and I continue to keep J.P.'s parents, James and Robin, 
his sisters April and Denise, and all his family and friends in our 
thoughts and in our prayers.


                  LANCE CORPORAL TIMOTHY MICHAEL BELL

  Mr. President, I rise today to honor a fellow Ohioan who was killed 
while serving in Iraq--LCpl Timothy Michael Bell, Jr., from West 
Chester. Lance Corporal Bell was killed in Iraq, on August 3, 2005, 
when a roadside bomb exploded underneath his military vehicle. He was 
22 years old.
  Timothy Bell--``Tim'' to family and friends--was a man who greatly 
respected his country--a man who was proud of every day he served our 
Nation as a Marine. As Greg McDaniel, Pastor at Impact Baptist Church, 
said about Tim:

       He loved the Marine Corps. [Tim] always said, ``I want to 
     be a [Marine].'' The day he graduated from boot camp, he told 
     his mother, ``This is why I was born. This is my destiny.''

  From the time he was 6 years old, Tim knew that he wanted to be a 
Marine. His room was full of Marine posters and memorabilia, and a 
camouflage Marine blanket even covered his bed. For Tim Bell, there was 
never any question of what he wanted to be when he grew up.
  Most Ohioan's know Tim's family as a baseball family. His uncle Buddy 
was a star player for the Cleveland Indians and the Cincinnati Reds, 
and I remember his grandfather Gus was a star player for the Reds when 
I was a kid. Buddy currently manages the Kansas City Royals. Tim's 
cousins, David and Michael Bell, also played Major League Baseball.
  But, there is another uniform that has been very important in the 
Bell family--and that is the uniform of the U.S. Marine Corps. Two of 
Tim's uncles and an aunt wore the Marines' uniform. While many boys 
dream of becoming professional athletes, Tim saw his relatives in their 
military uniforms and decided that he wanted to be just like them--that 
joining the military was going to be his dream. Tim's admiration for 
these family members, including his grandfather, who had served in the 
Navy, compelled him to follow in their footsteps.
  Those at Lakota East High School, where Tim graduated in 2003, 
remember that Tim always displayed a strong affinity for military 
service. In fact, he enlisted even before he graduated. Principal Ruth 
Barber said that ``when Tim settled his mind on being a Marine, he 
couldn't wait to serve his country.''
  When the news came that Tim was shipping overseas, his family and 
friends remember that he was excited to go. When his parents dropped 
him off in Columbus for training with Lima Company, Tim told them that 
this was simply what he was born to do.
  Before leaving for Iraq, Tim gave his father something special for 
safekeepking--his Marine Corps ring. ``Wear this until I come home,'' 
he told his dad. Well, Mr. President, Tim Bell, Sr. wore that ring 
every day his son was in Iraq--and will continue to wear it every day.
  Tim's discipline was extraordinary. Not only did he undergo military 
training, but he also had a black belt in judo. He did not express 
fear, and he never doubted his purpose as a marine.
  During one phone call home, Tim proudly told his father that their 
battalion commander had said they were the most active company since 
the Vietnam War. According to his dad, ``They were busy every day 
fighting. Every day.''
  Tim was scheduled to return home in September 2005. He was thinking 
of buying a motorcycle was looking forward to visiting family in Kansas 
City. Nothing was more important to Tim than family. While at Marine 
base camp, he would call his father about once a week. He would relive 
the excitement of his adventures over the phone, but also always took 
the time to ask how his parents and siblings were doing.
  ``It seemed he was more concerned about me than himself,'' his dad 
recalls. ``The concern was how everybody was doing. Every conversation 
I had with him ended with `I love you dad' and `I love you Timmy.' 
Every conversation. I am going to miss those calls.''
  Tim's dad went on to say:

       My son was a brave and wonderful man. All he ever wanted to 
     do was be a Marine. He felt like it was an extremely 
     important job. I was fortunate to get to tell him that I 
     loved him every week when he called.

  Tim's stepmother Vivian said this about Tim:

       Tim is a hero and we are proud of him. He liked to live and 
     just do what he wanted to do. He didn't think about danger or 
     anything like that or consequences. When he wanted to do 
     something and thought it was something worth doing, he just 
     stuck to it.

  In addition to the weekly phone calls home, Tim also exchanged e-
mails and instant messages over the computer with his sister Jamie. He 
shared with her his plans to return to Iraq for another tour of duty. 
He believed strongly in his role in Iraq.
  ``He was there for a reason,'' his dad said. ``Everybody needs to 
know that. And it's not just my son--it's all the young men and women 
over there. They're over there for each and every one of us.''
  On a night shortly after Tim's death, the Kansas City Royals honored 
him with a moment of silence before the game. The stadium announcer 
asked everyone to remember the United States Marines from Lima Company 
who had been killed in Iraq. He particularly asked the stadium to 
remember the sacrifice of Tim Bell, the nephew of Royals manager Buddy 
Bell.
  According to Mike Sweeny, the team captain for the Royals, the moment 
of silence for the slain marines had a special meaning for them. ``It 
was the most meaningful moment of silence I've had since we resumed 
play after 9-11,'' he recalled.
  Tim Bell lived the Marine credo--he was always faithful--faithful to 
his family, faithful to the Marine Corps, and faithful to our country. 
His father described him as the ``last of the John Waynes, but 
tougher.'' Tim loved the Marines and the reason they serve.
  We celebrate the life of this brave young man and honor his 
dedication to preserving our freedom and liberty. Fran and I continue 
to keep the family and friends of LCpl Timothy Bell in our thoughts and 
prayers.


                        Major Michael D. Stover

  Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to a fellow Ohion--Marine 
MAJ

[[Page S11125]]

Michael D. Stover from Mansfield. Major Stover died on June 3, 2006, 
while serving his second tour of duty in Iraq. He was the executive 
officer for the Marine Wing Support Squadron 374, based in Twentynine 
Palms, CA. He was 43 years old.
  Major Stover is survived by his sister and his brother-in-law, Cheryl 
and Kim Meister, and by his brother, retired MAJ Edward Allen Stover. 
He also leaves to cherish his memory many nieces and nephews, aunts, 
uncles, and cousins. He is proceded in death by his parents LaVern 
``Smoky'' and Doris Stover.
  Michael Stover craved adventure from the time he was a boy. His 
sister Cheryl remembers that her baby brother's nickname was 
``Monkey,'' ``because he was always falling out of trees, breaking his 
arm, riding bicycles and flying over the handlebars and ending up in 
hospitals.'' Michael grew up an avid outdoorsman, joining the Boy 
Scouts and quickly rising in their ranks. He wrestled while in junior 
high and always sought out physical activities that pushed him as an 
individual.
  In 1980, Michael graduated from Malabar High School in Mansfield. 
Michael was an excellent student and though there were many career 
paths he could have chosen, his older sister and brother weren't 
surprised when he decided to enlist in the Marines. They had watched 
him grow up and knew that the Marines provided the kind of adventure 
and physical challenge he had always loved. As his sister Cheryl 
explained: ``Anything that was exciting or extreme, Michael had to be 
involved in.''
  Although Michael's parents--aware of their son's love for books and 
literature--were initially skeptical of his decision to become a 
Marine, it quickly became a source of pride for them. Michael remained 
close to his family throughout his time in the service, calling and 
writing frequently.
  After enlisting, Michael reported for recruit training at Parris 
Island in January 1981. This was only his first step in a military 
career that exemplified the core Marine values of honor, courage, and 
commitment.
  Books and reading had always been important to Michael, and as a 
Marine he was able to use his talent for writing and communicating. He 
was designated a Public Affairs Marine and underwent training at the 
Defense Information School, where he learned how to tell the stories of 
the U.S. Marine Corps. He then completed an enlisted tour with the 
Fleet Hometown News Center in Norfolk, VA, which sends out press 
releases on Marine achievements.
  According to his brother Edward, Michael hadn't joined the Marines 
intending to make the military his career. But, he fell in love with 
the service and decided to stay so that he could become an officer. He 
accepted a Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps Marine Option 
scholarship and was released from active duty so that he could attend 
the Ohio State University.
  Not surprisingly, Michael was a leader at OSU. He became a 
residential assistant, a position in which he was an important role 
model for incoming freshmen. It was his job to guide those younger than 
he and used his Marine training to do it. His residents looked up to 
him, not only as a resource, but also as a friend and even a big 
brother.
  Michael graduated from OSU in 1990 with a bachelor of arts degree in 
journalism. He was then commissioned as a Marine Corps 2LT and became a 
logistics officer in an engineer support battalion--eventually serving 
as platoon and then company commander.
  After then being promoted to Captain, Michael served as a logistics 
officer while also attending the Amphibious Warfare School from July 
1994 to June 1997. From 1998-2005, he then served in different 
capacities in California, Hawaii, and Arizona. Throughout these years, 
Michael was a leader and an educator for young marines, helping to 
shape and mold the following generation.
  Lieutenant Chris Kaprielian was just one of the many young marines 
who Major Stover inspired. This is how he described his former 
commander:

       [Major Stover] was like a father to our [operations] 
     section. The amount of knowledge he brought in from his prior 
     experiences in the Marine Corps was incredible. Like a 
     father, he looked out for the men in his command. And like a 
     father, he was very demanding.

  He particularly remembers Major Stover's commitment to duty. ``We all 
worked really long hours,'' he said, ``but he was there before anyone 
else and stayed even later. I never knew anyone who worked as hard as 
he did.''
  Michael was serving as the executive officer for the Marine Wing 
Support Squadron 371 when the squadron was deployed to Iraq in February 
2005. After returning to the United States the next September, he was 
then temporarily assigned to another squadron in October. The Marine 
Wing Support Squadron 374 was preparing to deploy to Iraq--and Major 
Stover was needed to help prepare the marines for war.
  His sister Cheryl remembers his exact words. ``It's my job,'' he 
said. ``If I don't go, young Marines will be dying. I can go and 
prevent their deaths.'' No other words better represent Major Stover's 
selfless and compassionate commitment to the young men and women whom 
he could train to become excellent marines. With his actions, he was 
saving lives every day.
  The day Michael died, our Nation tragically lost a wonderful brother, 
a caring mentor, and a truly outstanding marine. At the time of his 
death, Michael had been recently selected for promotion to the rank of 
lieutenant colonel. His brother Edward--a retired major with the Ohio 
National Guard--knew it was a promotion that he richly deserved. It 
would have been the first time that Michael outranked his older 
brother. Edward eagerly anticipated his brother's promotion. ``You'll 
never know how proudly I looked forward to that time,'' he said.
  Major Stover's 26-year career of leadership and fortitude earned him 
more decorations and honors than I can name here. They include the 
Meritorious Service Medal, three Navy and Marine Corps Commendation 
Medals, and the Iraq Campaign Medal. But his best reward, perhaps, is 
simply the respect and admiration felt by all who knew him.
  At Michael's funeral, numerous mourners gathered to pay their 
respects to the departed marine, paying tribute to the lifetime he 
spent teaching the young marines who would come after him. Reverend 
David Pound said that Michael ``took great pride in the young Marines 
that he could teach and develop.'' And, LTC Phillip Woody, Michael's 
commanding officer, said this:

       The only way for a mortal man to be immortal is to teach. 
     Those you teach will remember you forever. Mike will be 
     remembered forever. It was an honor to call him a friend. It 
     was an honor to call him a comrade.

  The world is a better place since Michael Stover has been in it. He 
was a brave man, with a genuine commitment to service, leadership, 
education, and excellence. His dedication to his country was tremendous 
and his commitment to his fellow service members was unparalleled. My 
wife Fran and I continue to keep his family in our thoughts and 
prayers.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Voinovich). The Senator from Nebraska.
  Mr. HAGEL. Mr. President, I ask I be allowed to speak as in morning 
business for up to 15 minutes.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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