[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 134 (Thursday, December 7, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11453-S11462]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES


                    Sergeant Daniel Michael Shepherd

  Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to a 
courageous young man, who dedicated his life to defending the freedom 
of others. Army SGT Daniel Michael Shepherd of Elyria, OH was killed in 
Iraq on August 15, 2004, when his vehicle was struck by a bomb. He was 
only 23 years old.
  Daniel--fondly referred to as ``Danny'' by his family and friends--
was deployed to support Operation Iraqi Freedom in September 2003, 
after being stationed at Fort Riley in Kansas. Danny joined the 
military in 2000, upon his graduation from high school. A courageous 
member of the 1st Battalion, 16th infantry regiment, 1st Brigade, Danny 
was remembered as a committed soldier and loyal friend.
  His platoon SGT Ron Tulanowski remembers Danny's reliability and 
bravery when the Sergeant's armored vehicle was hit by a grenade. In 
describing Danny's heroism, the Sergeant said that ``he probably saved 
my life the day I got hit.'' Danny was more concerned for the lives of 
others than he was for his own. I can think of nothing more honorable.
  Danny attended Columbia High School where he played center and tight 
end on the school's football team. He was known as a great athlete and 
devoted team player. According to Ray Anthony, the Columbia Township 
Fire Chief, ``Danny was like the big brother

[[Page S11454]]

of the football team.'' One of Danny's former teammates Mike Banyasz 
also recalled how helpful he was to all his teammates. ``He was 
starting center and I was backup center,'' he said.

       By the third game, he moved to tight end, and I became 
     starting center. He helped me out a lot. He was a big reason 
     I became the starter.

  Clearly, Danny believed in the value of teamwork. His willingness to 
always help others be their best made him a truly excellent soldier.
  It was also in high school, Mr. President, that Danny met his future 
wife Kassie for whom he cared deeply. While Danny was in Iraq, Kassie 
waited anxiously for him at home; she missed her husband terribly.
  Kassie gave birth to their son, Daniel A. Shepherd, while Danny was 
deployed in Iraq. Daniel was born on St. Patrick's Day and according to 
family members and friends, looks just like his father. Danny was 
scheduled to return from Iraq a week after he died. He was looking 
forward to meeting his son for the first time. When Danny died, his son 
was only six months old.
  Recognized for his unrelenting drive, Danny simply had a passion for 
public service. He attended law enforcement classes at Lorain County 
Joint Vocational School and planned on contributing to the safety of 
his community by becoming a police officer upon his return from Iraq. 
And according to his grandmother Celia, ``Danny understood the value of 
education and planned on attending college upon his return.''
  Friends and family members were inspired by Danny's motivation and 
positive attitude. He went about his busy and stressful days with an 
infectious smile on his face. Danny's former teammate Chris Horn said:

       Danny's daily schedule was always hectic, yet I never heard 
     him gripe or complain.

  Indeed, Danny's optimism shined through to his peers as he worked to 
reach his goals. According to Chris, Danny ``seemed like he knew what 
he wanted to do from the get-go. He said he wanted to be in the 
military and then when he got out, he wanted to become a cop.''
  Danny's family and friends are frequently reminded of his character, 
reliability, and willingness to help others. Roger Pace--the minister 
at Broadview Road Church who delivered Danny's eulogy--said that ``the 
Army calls such people leaders, regardless of rank.'' Indeed, Danny 
Shepherd epitomizes the definition of leadership.
  SGT Andrew Ritchie of New York--who had served in an earlier 
deployment with Danny--reiterated this characteristic. This is what he 
said:

       Shepherd was one of the best people I ever had the chance 
     to meet and serve with in the Army. . . . He always did [his 
     job] to the best of his ability. He would always stop to help 
     somebody else out when they needed it. All I can really say 
     is he was a great person.

  Danny will leave a lasting impact on everyone he met. His former next 
door neighbor, Jennifer, reflected upon the sadness she felt when she 
heard of his death. She wrote the following on an Internet tribute 
webpage:

       So much pain rushed through me all at once because I knew 
     that I would never get to see `the boy next door' again. The 
     pain did not last too long, though, because I soon realized 
     that though Danny's physical presence will no longer be 
     there, his love and memories will never falter.

  Mr. President, Danny Shepherd's heroic actions and service to our 
country will be honored and remembered long after his death. His 
optimism will continue to inspire those who knew and loved him.
  My wife Fran and I continue to keep Danny's family--his wife Kassie, 
their son Daniel, and Danny's parents Karen and Daniel--in our thoughts 
and prayers.


                  Private First Class Adam R. Shepherd

  Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to Army PFC Adam R. 
Shepherd from Somerville, OH. On January 17, 2006, PFC Shepherd died in 
Iraq from an illness. He was serving with the 2nd Battalion, 502nd 
Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, 
based out of Fort Campbell, KY. Adam was 21 years old.
  Adam leaves his mother and step-father Susan and Mark Miller, his 
father Roger Shepherd, and his brothers Marcus Miller, Elijah Miller, 
and Army SPC Joshua Shepherd, who also is serving with the 2nd Brigade.
  Adam was born in Cincinnati on Christmas Day 1984. Growing up, he 
attended Preble Shawnee High School until he transferred to the Life 
Skills Center for his senior year. He graduated in 2002, and enlisted 
in the Army in January 2003. As an infantryman, Adam's relatives say 
that his superiors in the Army regularly praised him for his positive 
attitude and for always volunteering for dangerous duties.
  Hector Santiago, one of Adam's school teachers, remembers him as a 
``very good student. . . . He was an even-keeled, happy-go-lucky type 
of guy,'' he said. Those who grew up with Adam remember him as a real 
jokester. He always had something funny to say and was always trying to 
make his friends smile. For many, he was simply a ray of sunshine in 
their lives. As one of his friends, J.J. Green, said, ``We had a blast 
every time we got together. He was always the generous, happy person in 
our group of friends. I will miss him forever.''
  Adam will also be remembered for his politeness and compassion. He 
was the type of person who was always looking to make new friends. 
Janeese Martin wrote the following on an Internet tribute webpage in 
Adam's honor:

       I was very shocked and saddened to hear of Adam's death. He 
     was a very wonderful person. He befriended me when I moved to 
     Preble Shawnee--no questions asked. I was very proud of him 
     when I heard that he served his country.

  Adam's sense of humor and ability to make others laugh followed him 
to Iraq, where his fellow soldiers found in him a good friend--someone 
who could brighten any day. SGT T. Gonzales left Adam's family the 
following message in tribute to Adam:

       I was fortunate to make the acquaintance of this fine 
     soldier, as well as that of his brother . . . during the 
     first trip to Iraq in 2003 to 2004. Adam was always one with 
     jokes in his mind and has shown me the lighter side of life. 
     . . . He will be greatly missed! My heart, prayers, and 
     thoughts go with all of you.

  PFC Dennis Bluhm had this to say about his friend:

       [O]ne thing I can tell you is that Adam made an impact on 
     everyone he talked to. He has always been able to find a way 
     to make someone laugh, even when they wanted to cry. He was 
     one of the BEST friends that anyone could ever have the 
     privilege of growing up next door to. Adam is not gone--he 
     lives on in all of our memories, and with a guy like him . . 
     . he will definitely not be forgotten.

  Adam was a loving son and brother. His family dearly misses him. As 
his mother Susan said, ``I have four children--four boys--and a quarter 
of my heart is gone.''
  Adam's Aunt Ruth wrote the following about her nephew:

       Today is Valentine's Day--a time to remember those who you 
     love. I love Adam. I always will. He brings a smile to my 
     face everyday when I think of him. He was such a sweet boy 
     who turned into such a fine young man. My heart goes out to 
     his mother, who will always be my friend and sister. . . . I 
     recall the saying, `It matters not how much we love, but how 
     much we are loved.' And Adam was so very loved--'till we meet 
     again, Adam.

  Adam will always be remembered for his warm, beaming smile. From the 
day he was born, as his Aunt Rose remembers that his smile just stood 
out--that it was truly unforgettable.
  Adam was proud that he fulfilled his dream of becoming a soldier and 
serving our Nation. He was brave and dedicated. His service to our 
country has earned him several awards, including the Army Good Conduct 
Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the 
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on 
Terrorism Service Medal, and the National Defense Medal.
  When I think of young men like Adam, I am reminded of the words of 
President John F. Kennedy. This is what he said:

       Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, 
     that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any 
     hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the 
     survival and the success of liberty.

  Without question, Adam served his country bravely to help ensure the 
success of liberty. He was a man of courage and loyalty, devoted to his 
family, his fellow soldiers, and his country. But what's more, Adam 
served cheerfully, and with a smile. Army PFC Adam Shepherd will never 
be forgotten.
  My wife Fran and I continue to keep Adam's friends and family in our 
thoughts and prayers.

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                 LANCE CORPORAL DANIEL NATHAN DEYARMIN

  Mr. President, I rise today to remember and honor a fellow Ohioan--
Marine LCpl Daniel Nathan Deyarmin, Jr., from Tallmadge. Lance Corporal 
Deyarmin was killed on August 1, 2005, during combat operations in 
Iraq. Just two days before his death, he celebrated his 22nd birthday. 
He is survived by his parents Edie and Daniel Deyarmin Sr., and by his 
sister Erica.
  To friends and family, Lance Corporal Deyarmin was known simply as 
``Nate.'' Born in Tallmadge, he lived there his whole life and loved to 
dress in cowboy outfits and tinker with old cars. Kind-hearted and 
easy-going, he was also a consummate prankster. Once, after cleaning 
his room under orders, he then painted the following words on the 
ceiling--``I got even!''
  Nate's mother remembers that he could make anything fun. Even when he 
was in trouble, his parents simply couldn't stay mad at him. It would 
never be long until they were all laughing together.
  His friends recall that Nate was friendly with everyone he met. He 
was simply one of the guys, whether they were hunting, playing football 
or soccer, wrestling, or working on stock cars. Nate graduated in 2002 
from Tallmadge High School, where he was a member of the football team.
  Don Duffy was his school counselor for four years at Tallmadge High 
and remembers talking with the young Nate about his interest in the 
military. He describes Nate as ``soft-spoken [and] polite,'' a good 
student who was well-liked by his fellow classmates.
  Nate enlisted in the Marines in January 2003, one of five members of 
his unit who graduated from the Tallmadge public schools. The group 
spoke twice to students at Tallmadge Middle School before shipping to 
Iraq in January 2005. ``They felt very strongly about what they were 
doing,'' Tallmadge teacher Carol Arbour said. ``We prayed they would be 
coming home together.''
  In Iraq, Nate became part of a special sniper unit. His mother 
remembers how important his fellow Marines were to him. ``He loved 
being with the snipers,'' she said. ``They worked together and they 
meshed. They covered each other's butts.''
  Nate's sister, Erica, also remembers his commitment to being a 
Marine. ``He believed in his country,'' she said. ``He loved being a 
Marine.''
  During phone calls home, Nate's family had a rule that nothing 
negative could ever be said during their phone conversations. His 
parents knew that being a sniper was a difficult job, and that Nate had 
to stay focused and alert at all times--even if he had gone without 
sleep for hours on end.
  Nate was enthusiastic about many things in life, but cars were his 
passion. He would help friends whose cars broke down in the middle of 
the night, and he loved to restore old cars. ``That was his favorite 
thing to do,'' Nate's sister recalls.
  Family friend Ray Kozlowski described Nate as a ``horsepower 
enthusiast.'' With his father, he would work on old cars in the garage, 
where they kept a dozen cars in various states of disrepair. And Nate's 
friend, Eddie Papp, remembers how focused he was when working. ``So 
many times we would be working on something, and I would want to go to 
bed and get some sleep, but Nate would not let me,'' Eddie said. ``He 
would make me push myself to go a little longer.''
  During Nate's funeral procession, his family drove some of his 
favorite cars. One of them was a 1985 Monte Carlo--a car that literally 
had Nate's teething marks in the dashboard. Nate's friend Charlie 
Harner has painted the words ``In Loving Memory'' on the deck lid of 
his own stock car. All of his races are dedicated to Nate.
  Nate was a man who was devoted to his country, to his marines, and to 
his family and friends. While serving in Iraq, he would often speak 
with his family on the phone. Although the conversations were often 
emotional, he said he was proud of serving to make the country safe.
  Nate's mother remembers that her son was upbeat when he called on his 
22nd birthday. ``He was happy,'' she said. ``He was always happy.''
  Nate's death was felt by the entire Tallmadge community. He was 
honored by Tallmadge High School during its first football game of the 
2005 season, and the sixth graders that Nate talked to at Tallmadge 
Middle School will always remember the day that they heard a true hero 
speak.
  Nate was one of six men from his sniper unit to be killed on August 
1, 2005. SGT Brian Casagrande served with these men. This is what he 
said about Nate:

       Daniel `Nate' Deyarmin came to us . . . from Weapons 
     Company. He brought with him his goofy smile and upbeat 
     spirit. His goofy exterior, which earned him the usual dose 
     of ribbings, contained the soul of a gentle, thoughtful man. 
     He was always willing to undertake any task set before him, 
     and did so without complaint or hesitation. He could be found 
     during his time off reading some kind of `motorhead' 
     magazine, and he was always talking specs about vehicles. 
     Nate's smile will be missed.

  Nate's memory continues to inspire others. Working together with 
family friend Ray Kozlowski, Nate's mother has organized a fundraiser 
in her son's honor to benefit veterans with disabilities. Fittingly, 
the fundraiser is based around what Nate loved most--horsepower.
  On October 2, 2005, the LCpl Daniel ``Nate'' Deyarmin Memorial 
Benefit Run drew 1,500 motorcycles and 250 cars, successfully raising 
more than $17,000 for the veterans. Another event was held this past 
summer. In the past 2 years, Nate's mom has helped to raise over 
$35,000 for veterans with disabilities.
  The life and heroism of Nathan Deyarmin will never be forgotten. He 
was a fine man with a compassion for life and a dedication to his 
family, friends, community, and country. As his mother said, ``If you 
truly knew Nathan, you loved him.''
  I would like to conclude with words that Nate, himself, wrote in the 
Akron Beacon Journal. The article was published on July 4th, 2005, and 
Nate wrote about being away from loved ones over the holiday, and what 
it meant to be defending his country with his fellow marines instead. 
These were his words:

       [T]he free will to be over here and help each other is one 
     of the hardest things in one's life and still being able to 
     put forth our best effort to make the best of every situation 
     we encounter. That's what we as Americans do. We make the 
     best of everything. Semper Fi.

  My wife Fran and I continue to keep LCpl Nathan Deyarmin's family in 
our thoughts and prayers.


                     Corporal Joseph Anthony Tomci

  Mr. President, I rise today to remember a brave Ohioan who died while 
serving our country in Iraq. Marine Cpl Joseph Anthony Tomci died on 
August 2, 2006, from wounds received from an IED explosion, while 
conducting combat operations against enemy forces. He leaves behind his 
mother and step-father Gayle and Philip, his father John, and his 
brother Jason.
  Joe--as friends and family called him--graduated from Stow-Monroe 
Falls High School in 2003 and immediately enlisted in the Marines. His 
father remembers how proud Joe was to be serving his country. ``He felt 
that they were doing something worthwhile,'' John recalled. ``He loved 
what he was doing. As a father, that's the highest thing that you can 
want for your children.''
  Joe's family and closest friends remember him as a sensitive man with 
a deep sense of compassion. A family friend, Susan Walker, recalls the 
time when a 10-year-old Joe unsuccessfully tried to nurse an abandoned 
mouse back to health. When the mouse died, she said, ``Joseph was 
devastated.''
  Joe was a young man with many interests. He will be remembered as a 
loyal friend, a comedian, and a Heineken beer drinker. He loved 
football and played on his high school team. Joe also loved movies and 
had an amazing knack for memorizing lines from his favorite flicks. 
He'd recite these lines while watching movies--often to the dismay of 
those watching alongside him.
  His lifelong friend Mike Gross remembers that Joe was ``the life of 
the party.'' In Mike's words, ``It was always better when Joe was 
around.''
  Indeed, Joe loved his friends. On his second tour in Iraq, he kept 
pictures of his closest buddies in his helmet. And, after receiving 
news of his death, more than a dozen of Joe's friends gathered to 
remember the man they knew as ``Joe Tom.'' They were lifelong friends, 
who had played sports together as kids and had ridden their bikes 
through the streets of Stow. The even had a name for themselves--``The 
Organization.''

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  Friend, Steve Young, remembers that Joe would tell say that ``he was 
not only serving his country, but he was serving us. He would tell us, 
`I am going so you don't have to.' ''
  In addition to his strong sense of duty, Joe also had a remarkable 
sense of humor. To his friends, he was always something of a prankster. 
Jacob Geopfert particularly remembers one night when they were all at 
his family's lake house.
  Without warning, their friend Nick sneezed three times in a row. Joe 
looked at him and yelled, ``I don't get allergies, I give them.'' He 
then pushed Nick--fully clothed--into the lake. ``That was Joe,'' Nick 
remembers. ``That's how he was.''
  While serving abroad in Iraq, Joe became pen pals for a class of 
second graders at Fishcreek Elementary School in Stow. Teacher Tracy 
Piatt remembers how much corresponding with the young Marine in Iraq 
meant to her class. They would make birthday cards and throw parties in 
his honor, singing ``Happy Birthday'' to his picture that hung on their 
wall. They sent him care packages, and tracked his location in Iraq on 
a map.
  After his first tour ended, Joe visited the class, thanking them for 
their thoughtful letters. As he walked to the front of the room, they 
stopped and stared at him with awe and admiration. Joe talked to the 
class about being an American and being a marine. He spoke of the 
importance of respect, loyalty, faith, and trust. And, he told them 
that their packages were one of his best motivations in Iraq, and that 
he would sit there reading their letters for hours.
  The students in Tracy Piatt's class will miss the young man who 
became their marine. ``He was so proud of what he was doing,'' Tracy 
tearfully remembers. ``You could tell he cared about making Iraq a 
better place for the people there.'' In her words:

       [Joe] was a good kid, a good young man. He just wanted to 
     be good for people. I wish he knew how many people cared 
     about him. He touched so many lives that he didn't even know 
     about.

  Tracy believes that having corresponded with Joe will make her 
students grow up to be better adults. I don't think there is anyone who 
could disagree with that.
  Nearly 1,000 people gathered inside the Holy Family Church to pay 
their final respects to Joe. Standing at the front of the church were 
the boys and girls from Fishcreek Elementary. Their teacher Tracy spoke 
at the funeral. This is what she said:

       As we look into the faces of these boys and girls, you're 
     looking at Joe Tomci, for he is in their hearts, and they 
     will carry him forever.

  Also speaking at his funeral, Reverend Paul Rosing remembered Joe as 
a true American hero. He said:

       He fits the image of a classic hero. He's tall, good-
     looking, and strong. He wanted to be a Marine since he was a 
     small child, and he went into the Marines as early as he 
     could.

  Though Joe was nearing the end of his enlistment, his father believes 
that his son was destined for a bright career in the military. Joe had 
talked about the possibility of becoming a drill instructor, feeling 
that his combat experience in Iraq would help him make better Marines 
out of new recruits. And it was Joe's nature to assume leadership 
positions. As his father said, ``In a sense, he'd be helping others. 
That was kind of his life's mission.''
  Joe made everyone who knew him proud. His mother remembers how 
important being a Marine was to Joe. ``He always dreamed of being a 
Marine,'' she said. ``He believed his service was a benefit to the 
world.''
  This sentiment is one we hear over and over again when people talk 
about Joe's life. He was a caring man, someone who took his leadership 
responsibilities seriously. He genuinely cared about the Marines who 
were serving under him and worried about them often. During his last 
tour, he didn't call home as frequently as in the past. His mother 
explains that Joe said ``it was because there were so many men under 
his care that were on their first tour of duty that he wanted to make 
sure they'd have the opportunity to call home. That's just how he 
was.''
  Marine Cpl Joe Tomci was a young man who genuinely loved life and had 
great compassion for others. His dedication to his friends, family, 
community, and country was unmatched. Joe is a model of what we all 
hope our children will become.
  My wife Fran and I continue to keep his family in our thoughts and 
prayers.


                      Sergeant Gary Andrew Eckert

  Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to Army SGT Gary Andrew 
Eckert, from Sylvania, OH. On May 8, 2005, Sergeant Eckert died in Iraq 
when an improvised explosive device detonated near his military 
vehicle. He leaves behind his wife Tiphany, their daughter Marlee, and 
their son Myles. Sergeant Eckert is also survived by his mother 
Deborah, his father and step-mother Gary and Cathy, his brother Ryan, 
and his sisters Denise, Crystal, Jessica, Stephanie, and Alexandria. 
Mr. President, Sergeant Eckert was 24 years old.
  Family and friends referred to Gary as Andy, short for his middle 
name Andrew. They will remember Andy most for his courage, compassion, 
and dedication to his family. He was loved by all.
  Andy graduated from Anthony Wayne High School in 2000, where he 
played on the basketball team during his freshman and sophomore years. 
Andy was a gifted athlete, someone for whom sports came easily. He was 
a huge University of Michigan fan, but would still spend afternoons 
cheering on The Ohio State University Buckeyes with his friends.
  That must have been an interesting time, particularly when Ohio 
played Michigan.
  Andy was attending Owens Community College when his Army Reserves 
unit was called to active duty in February 2003. Without question, Andy 
was a dedicated soldier. When he died, he was serving his second 
deployment in Iraq. During his first deployment, he had sustained 
injuries for which he received the Purple Heart. He was a courageous 
young man--a true hero.
  During Andy's funeral, BG Michael Beasley commented upon Andy's 
second deployment to Iraq. Andy didn't have to return, but he did 
anyway. BG Beasley reflected upon why. This is what he said:

       Andy didn't have to go back to war. He came back a Purple 
     Heart recipient. . . . He wanted to go back to serve our 
     Nation, with our soldiers.

  Brigadier General Beasley also said that Andy ``was a wonderful 
soldier and a brilliant patriot. He was someone who taught us a whole 
lot about wearing a uniform, about being a father, about being a 
husband, and about being an American.''
  Bret Howland was a good family friend and a father figure to Andy. He 
said the following about Andy's decision to return to Iraq:

       He wanted to go with his people. He had this family, and he 
     had his family with 983rd--[his Army battalion]. Everybody 
     looked up to him, from the commander on down.

  Bret also remembers how valuable Andy's friendship was. ``He was on 
such an even keel,'' he said. ``He was so calm in crisis, yet when he 
needed to be, he was fiercely loyal.''
  SFC James Gyori was Andy's platoon sergeant for 18 months. ``Andy was 
the perfect soldier,'' he said. ``He did what you asked. He always had 
a smile on his face. He was never in a bad mood--always there to help 
everybody. He got me through some rough days over there.''
  Andy's friends all love and miss him dearly. Daily, messages are left 
honoring him on Internet tribute Web sites. One friend from Anthony 
Wayne High School, Jen Stone, shared her memories of Andy on one of the 
sites:

       As a fellow classmate of Andy's from Anthony Wayne High, I 
     just want to say that he will truly be missed. I was friends 
     with Andy only a short time, but he really touched my life. 
     He was thoughtful, caring and just a great person all around. 
     I pray that his family will be able to remember Andy through 
     their memories and that his precious babies are taught what a 
     special daddy they had for the short amount of time he was on 
     this earth. I would like to thank him for serving and 
     protecting our country above and beyond what was expected of 
     him. I am so proud to have known him. I will be praying for 
     his family.

  Another of Andy's friends, Tony Stephans, wrote that he wears a Hero 
Bracelet to honor his friend. This is what he wrote:

       I cherish the moments I get to spend with people explaining 
     the meaning behind my Hero Bracelet memorializing the life of 
     Andy. I proudly wear Andy's bracelet each and every day as a 
     constant reminder to myself and everyone around me of the 
     sacrifices

[[Page S11457]]

     made by Andy and his family, as well as those like him, who 
     stand in harms way so that each of us may enjoy [the] freedom 
     and liberties we have. I will always keep Tiphany, Myles, 
     Marlee, and all of Andy's family in my thoughts and prayers 
     and pray that time will help to heal the feeling of loss you 
     have all endured. Andy is still a hero and always will be.

  Andy is also memorialized on the Wall of Heroes at Fort Snelling in 
Minnesota. The memorial features the etched faces of Army Reserve 
soldiers who have fallen while serving their country in Iraq. Andy's 
wife attended the unveiling of the memorial. During the occasion, she 
said that ``my husband will always be honored. Every day I will honor 
him.''
  Andy's death has affected his entire community. Hundreds of mourners 
attended his memorial service to pay their respects. Family members 
carried Gerber daisies, a special flower to Andy and his wife, to place 
on his coffin. Many attendees also wore pink, because that had been 
Andy and Tiphany's color. Family friend Jackie Kidd-Lutzmann said the 
following about Andy: ``He was the only guy who could wear pink and 
still looked macho. He was a very, very special young man.''
  At his funeral, numerous photographs from Andy's life were on 
display, and a particularly touching one adorned the front cover of the 
program. In it, Andy bends carefully over his daughter, Marlee, and 
together they are walking off into the distance.
  It is a beautiful picture.
  During the service, Andy's wife reflected upon the love she and Andy 
had shared. This is what she said:

       I was going to write a letter, but I couldn't find the 
     words. But, Andy taught me that actions speak louder than 
     words. The biggest action he ever showed me was love. Because 
     God gave Andy to me, I know what it is to be cherished.

  Andy Eckert was a courageous young man--a model husband, father, son, 
and brother. He will always be remembered.
  My wife Fran and I continue to keep his family and friends in our 
thoughts and prayers.


                 Private First Class Nicolas E. Messmer

  Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to Army PFC Nicolas E. 
Messmer from Gahanna, OH, who was killed when an explosive device 
detonated near his military vehicle in Iraq on May 8, 2005. He was just 
20 years old.
  He is survived by his parents Richard and Shirley Messmer, his four 
brothers Richard, Joseph, Dustin, and Zachary, his grandparents Ruth 
Ann Messmer, Martha and Clarence Lacey, and Donald Divers, and his high 
school sweetheart, to whom he was engaged to be married, Mary Murphy.
  Nick--as family and friends called him--grew up in a very close and 
loving family. He was the middle child of five boys, and 1 of 70 
grandchildren. Needless to say, he was extremely family-oriented--and 
someone with whom it was easy to get along. As his brother Joe said, 
``Nick was [just] an awesome person. He was the nicest, friendliest, 
happiest kid you could ever know. He wouldn't hurt a fly.''
  Nick graduated from Gahanna Lincoln High School in 2003 and 
immediately joined the Army that summer. He didn't wait. He simply knew 
what he wanted to do--and that was to serve. As his brother, Joe, said, 
``He just went over there in [Iraq] to defend his country.''
  And Nick's father said, ``Nick was the kind of soldier who makes this 
country great. He was just a great kid.''
  Nancy Dawson, Nick's high school guidance counselor, said she wasn't 
surprised when Nick joined the Army. She said the following in 
remembrance of Nick: ``I hope they remember his heart, his enthusiasm 
for life, and just the neat kid that he was.''
  People were just drawn to Nick. They loved his warm and friendly 
personality. He was just an endearing, easy-going, nice guy. At Lincoln 
High, his death came as a great shock, and there was a moment of 
silence in his memory.
  Nick had many friends who will miss him dearly. Internet tribute web 
pages are filled with messages from those whose lives he impacted. One 
of his friends, Kendra Hardrick, wrote the following:

       Nick, I just wanted to tell you that I miss you and all the 
     crazy times we had together when we were younger and use to 
     sneak out. I miss the old group. I just wanted to say that 
     you're my hero and always will be. There is not a day that 
     goes by that I don't think of you. I wish you could be here, 
     and we all miss you.

  While Nick had many, many friends, the one person dearest to him was 
his fiancee Mary. She remembers Nick as someone who was ``wonderful, 
funny, never angry and, always smiling.'' She said that he was very 
brave. I am very proud of him. His family loved him. We all did.
  Mary remembers the last time she talked with Nick and how excited he 
was about serving his country. This, of course, is simply the kind of 
person Nick was--always optimistic, always looking to the future.
  ``We had so many plans,'' Mary recalls. She remembers how Nick 
sometimes wanted to buy a motorcycle, and sometimes wanted to buy a 
truck. ``He wanted to be a firefighter,'' she said. ``He wanted to be a 
cop. He wanted to have his own lawn-care service. He wanted to be so 
many things.'' Although we don't know what else in life he would have 
done, this much is certain--Nick Messmer was a brave and dedicated 
Marine, who gave his all in service to his country.
  Those who knew Nick will never forget him. Upon his death, hundreds 
of friends, neighbors, and family members gathered at a memorial 
ceremony to pay their respects. From Gahanna Lincoln High School, 
alone, hundreds of students formed a line that wrapped all the way 
around the school, symbolizing a wall of support for Nick and his 
family.
  On an Internet tribute Web site, Nick's old health teacher from 
Gahanna Lincoln, Linda Shannon, wrote her sentiments about Nick. This 
is what she wrote:

       To the Messmer Family--I want to express my deepest 
     sympathy to your family on the loss of your son. We hope that 
     the expression of honor and respect from the students at the 
     high school as they lined the school's perimeter will, in 
     some way, help you know that Nick's service to this country 
     is greatly appreciated.

  Nick's favorite color was orange. In his memory, utility poles along 
the streets were decorated with orange bows and his brothers placed 
orange roses on his casket. During calling hours, his family members 
wore orange ties.
  At his funeral, Nick's pastor, Reverend Paul A. Noble, held back 
tears as he remembered the young man who gave his life for a cause he 
believed in. ``In the midst of sadness,'' he said, ``we are also filled 
with pride and thanksgiving.''
  Nick will never be forgotten by the community in which he grew up. 
Just last month, students at St. Matthew School in Gahanna honored 
Nick--along with another fallen Marine from Ohio, LCpl Ryan E. Miller. 
The school installed a ``peace pole'' and held a memorial prayer 
service. Both fallen Marines were St. Matthew church parishioners. The 
pole has the word ``peace'' inscribed on it in English, Spanish, Latin, 
Italian, German, and French. According to Principal Frances Michalec, 
there are 2,000 such poles throughout the world.
  Brianna Ruth is an 8th grader at St. Matthew. Reflecting upon the 
meaning of the peace pole, she said that ``it will be really nice for 
Nick and Ryan. Every time you drive by, you can remember them and what 
they did for our country.''
  I would like to conclude my remarks with a message left for Nick by 
his friend Nick Stephenson. He wrote the following to his friend:

       There will never be enough that I could say, no matter how 
     hard I try to describe it, bud. It's like you're now a 
     missing link in my life. A part of me has truly left with 
     you, Nick. Although you have so honorably departed from us to 
     walk this cold world alone, I have gained so much from your 
     passing. I remind myself daily of your awesome character and 
     strive to look at life as you did--with total satisfaction of 
     living freely with a courageous attitude toward life. I 
     honestly believe that you not only live on in my heart, but 
     your countrymen's hearts, as well. I salute you Nicolas E. 
     Messmer, and look forward to that one fine day when I will 
     see you again. My prayers are with you, Nick.

  My wife Fran and I continue to keep the family of Army PFC Nicolas 
Messmer in our thoughts and in our prayers.


                        Corporal Daniel Freeman

  Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to an outstanding Ohioan--
Army Cpl Daniel Freeman from Cincinnati. He was killed in a helicopter

[[Page S11458]]

crash on April 6, 2005, in Ghazni, Afghanistan. He was 20 years old.
  Aboard a CH-47 Chinook helicopter with 14 other soldiers and three 
American contractors, Daniel was on a mission to deliver mail and 
supplies to the southern part of Afghanistan. He was bringing crucial 
aid to an area plagued by violence and insurgency. The day of the crash 
marked the deadliest day for the United States in Afghanistan since the 
fall of the Taliban.
  Daniel took his time getting to Ohio, but it quickly became his home. 
Born in California, he then lived in Israel until he was 9 years old 
and his family moved to Cincinnati. Daniel grew up with a passion to 
serve in the military--and he certainly had the family pedigree. Both 
his mother Rebecca and his step-father Samuel had served in the 
military--she in the U.S. Air Force and he in the Israeli infantry. 
Samuel remembers that ``Daniel wanted to be in the Army since he was 11 
or 12 years old. You know how kids talk about it. But that was his main 
drive.''
  Daniel was also committed to his faith. He was a member of the B'Nai 
Tzedek congregation in Kenwood and attended Yavneh Day School. Daniel's 
faith shaped his commitment to helping others. It made him who he was.
  As a student at Sycamore High School, Daniel jumped head first into a 
number of activities. He was a member of the rock climbing club, 
explorers club, and medics in training. He played soccer, enjoyed 
paintball, and had a part-time job busing tables at a local restaurant. 
Friends describe him as caring, sensitive, driven, and funny. As his 
high school counselor, Dr. Maria Sarasua said, ``He was just a 
remarkable, easygoing [person]. He loved the outdoors, and he saw 
himself in a job being outdoors.'' Daniel's step-father added, ``He 
liked music and the PlayStation. He was a teenager like any other 
teenager.''
  But for all his normal teenage pursuits, Daniel still stood out. As 
his high school principal recalled:

       I would characterize him as sort of an adventurous kind of 
     a kid, and he had a passion for helping people. Early on, 
     even as a junior, he had plans to involve himself in the 
     military. It takes a special 18-year-old to sign up in these 
     times.

  Daniel's step-father further explained Daniels desire to serve. This 
is what he said:

       The main thing with my son is that he's always had a strong 
     sense of fairness and what is right and good. He truly 
     believed in serving his country and thought everybody should 
     do it to give back in some way.

  Daniel took advantage of an Army program that allowed him to enlist a 
year before he finished high school. After graduating from Sycamore 
High in 2003, he immediately began basic training. He went through 
airborne school at Fort Benning, GA, and was assigned to the Red 
Devils--the 173rd Airborne Brigade's 1st Battalion, 508th Infantry 
Regiment, stationed at Camp Ederle, Italy.
  As a member of the Red Devils, Daniel served four months in Iraq 
before beginning his service in Afghanistan. Daniel's passion and 
enthusiasm for his work translated into much success. Jack Kilbride, 
commander of the battalion's headquarters company, recalls that ``no 
matter how mundane, how menial, or how difficult the task, Corporal 
Freeman accomplished it with a smile.''
  Daniel Freeman was selfless. He volunteered to replace one of the 
soldiers who was supposed to be aboard that helicopter on the day that 
he died. Daniel's comrade had been working without sleep and needed 
relief. Daniel was there to give it. This is simply what he had always 
done.
  Friends and family remember Daniel and celebrate his life. Staff 
members at Sycamore High wore American flag ties and U.S. Army lanyards 
to remember Daniel. When he died, school officials at Sycamore lowered 
the flag to halfstaff for Daniel, and the school observed a moment of 
silence before classes began. Daniel's picture is still displayed in a 
case that honors former students serving in the military.
  Daniel's former English teacher, Liz Gonda, captured the sentiments 
of so many, saying simply, ``He knew what he wanted to do in life. He 
made a difference in the world by his presence and will be greatly 
missed.''
  Funeral services were held on April 20, 2005, in Cincinnati. Shiva 
was observed in his family's home. Daniel's mother planned on taking 
her son's ashes to Israel, where they would be returned to the earth 
for all time. Additionally, a memorial fund has been set up in Daniel's 
name, as his family has said, ``we want to celebrate his life more than 
mourn it.''
  Daniel's mother was kind enough to share with me one of her email 
exchanges with her son as he arrived in Afghanistan in February. In his 
email, Daniel talked about some of the lessons he had learned in the 
Army and how much he had grown. This is what he wrote:

       I've learned that my mind can be my [ally] as well as my 
     enemy, and I'm constantly fighting it . . . you'll be amazed 
     at how your mind will set limits, but how far your body will 
     go.

  Daniel goes on to explain to his mother his reasons for serving:

       We don't fight for glory, we fight for those men, whom 
     we've bonded with, spent countless hours with, and suffered 
     with. I fight for them, for their wives, for their parents. 
     My biggest fear is not my death, it's the death of those 
     whose parents and wives I'll have to see suffer. That's why I 
     fight, that's what makes me a soldier, that's why I don't 
     question why I go to war. I accept it, clear my head, and get 
     my priorities straight. I want you to know that I love you 
     and will see you in a year from now.

  Daniel Freeman was a very insightful, thoughtful young man. He 
understood the simple, but powerful truths of love and service to 
others. He will never be forgotten.
  My wife Fran and I keep all of Daniel's family and friends in our 
prayers.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Allen). The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The Senator from Ohio is recognized.
  Mr. DeWINE. I thank the Chair. And I thank the Chair for his 
patience.


                        sergeant justin hoffman

  Mr. President, I rise this evening to pay tribute to a fellow 
Ohioan--Marine Sgt Justin Hoffman from Delaware. On August 3, 2005, 
Sergeant Hoffman died when a roadside bomb detonated under his military 
vehicle in Iraq. He was serving with Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 25th 
Marine Regiment. Sergeant Hoffman leaves his father Robert, mother and 
step-father Carole and Chuck and younger brothers Tyler and Travis. 
Justin was 27 year old at the time of his death.
  Growing up, Justin's father remembers that his son came to love 
motorcycles, cars, and anything competitive. He was smart, funny, and 
dedicated.
  His friends and loved ones remember that he had one of the biggest 
hearts they had ever known. His smile and laughter will always be 
remembered. He was fun loving, but would also jump to be there for 
anyone who needed him.
  Those who knew Justin remember that he loved to talk about pretty 
much anything--whether it was politics, cars, women, or his personal 
dedication to serving his country. And that is something that everyone 
remembers about Justin Hoffman--he was always proud to be serving our 
Nation in the Marines Corps.
  Justin graduated from Worthington Christian High School in 1995 and 
then attended the Ohio State University. Before his junior year of 
college, he had joined the Marine Reserves. Justin's father had also 
served in the Marines and remembers how proud he was of his son's 
decision.
  Justin's mother Carole recalls that he joined the Marines not only 
because he wanted to follow family tradition, but because he had 
``wanted some discipline in his life.'' She said that she saw a change 
in Justin after he completed his military training as a marine 
sharpshooter.
  ``He was a good Marine,'' she said.
  After graduating from Ohio State, Justin began working with 
information systems at Cardinal Health Center in Columbus. His dad 
recalls that his son's intelligence qualified him for the job, but that 
he was also big and strong and needed an outlet for his excess energy. 
Karen DePoy worked with Justin at Cardinal Health Center and remembers 
how smart he was. She wrote the following message on an Internet 
tribute Web site:

       It seems like just yesterday that I was getting this super 
     sharp intern to work with. What a terrific young kid, I 
     thought, as we

[[Page S11459]]

     discussed everything from personal investments to keeping the 
     faith during rough times.

  Josh Busic also worked with Justin. This is what he wrote about his 
friend:

       He was one of the reasons I looked forward to coming into 
     work every day. There was never a boring day with him at 
     work. Whether it was one of his stories of someone he raced 
     in his car, some [silly] clip on the Internet he wanted all 
     of us to see, some argument on politics (there were a lot of 
     those) . . . him telling a story about one his brothers (whom 
     he talked about quite a bit), or just him ragging on us about 
     something that only he would think of--Justin was a good 
     friend and my only regret is that I didn't know him longer 
     than I did.

  More than anything, Justin was a dedicated person. He was dedicated 
to his family, his job, and his marines. After 7 years of serving in 
the Reserves, he re-enlisted in 2004. His mother remembers that 
Justin's reason for re-enlisting was because of the men he trained 
with. ``He wanted to be their leader,'' she said.
  Justin brother Tyler echoed these sentiments, when he said that 
``Justin told me that he couldn't let them--[his Marines]--go alone 
because he loved his men so much. He considered his whole squad to be 
brothers.
  Justin loved his fellow marines, and he loved his family. He was 
exceptionally close to his brothers, Tyler and Travis. Their parents 
would never let them fight while growing up, and Tyler remembers how 
protective Justin was of him. In Tyler words, Justin was a great 
brother, and more than that, he was a great friend.
  Justin's brother Travis remembers that the three of them were 
``inseparable.'' Justin was the best man in his wedding. It is a memory 
he will always cherish. He remembers that his brother could always make 
him laugh.
  During his 27 years, Justin had also found the love of his life--his 
girlfriend, Teri Price. The two planned to get married one day, and 
Teri remembers that Justin would tease her about proposing as soon as 
he stepped off the plane on his way back from Iraq.
  Teri recalls how much she loved Justin's smile and how ``he could 
always make me laugh and [how] he was always joking. I loved him more 
than anything.''
  Teri--who knew Justin as ``Fen,'' short for his middle name of 
Fenton--left him the following message on the Internet tribute website:

       Fen, there aren't words deep enough to express how I feel 
     about you. I love you more than anything and was looking 
     forward to spending the rest of our lives together. You are 
     the most generous, selfless, kind, amazing, funny, thoughtful 
     person I know. I am so proud of you, and I am honored to have 
     been a part of your life. You made every day a happier day.

  Family was so important to Justin. While in Iraq, he always kept in 
contact with his mother. He would e-mail, write, and call on a regular 
basis. His mom Carole remembers how Justin always wanted to hear about 
how things were at home. ``Justin loved Eagle Pizza and wanted to hear 
about the tree that needed uprooting in the yard,'' she said. ``Justin 
just spoke the truth.''
  Justin's father remembers the last conversation he had with his son. 
It was after Justin's close friend--fellow Ohio Marine Cpl Andre 
Williams--had been killed in Iraq. Justin reassured his father that 
there was nothing he needed, and then said good-bye with the following 
words: I love you, Dad.
  Mr. President, Marine Sgt Justin Hoffman lived a life that was 
honorable and heroic. He was a devoted son, brother, and boyfriend. 
Everyday, he is dearly missed by his family, friends, and loved ones.
  My wife Fran and I will continue to keep his family in our thoughts 
and in our prayers.


                     Lance Corporal Bryan N. Taylor

  Mr. President, this evening, I rise to pay tribute to a brave marine 
from Milford, OH. LCpl Bryan Taylor, who was killed in Iraq on April 6, 
2006, after he had been there for just 5 weeks. Bryan is survived by 
his parents Rick and Sherri Taylor, and his younger brother Matthew. He 
was just 20 years old at the time of his death.
  A 2004 graduate of Milford High School, Bryan had a strong interest 
in computers and technology. He also attended Live Oaks Career 
Development Center, where he studied computer-assisted drafting during 
his last 2 years of high school. According to those close to him, Bryan 
``knew no strangers and had no enemies.'' One of his favorite things to 
do was simply sit around and talk about good memories with his friends.
  While reflecting on their memories of Bryan, his friends stressed his 
unceasing loyalty. Bryan's friend John Legleu said that ``people who 
didn't even know Bryan that well are calling to tell me what he meant 
to them. He had a way of finding things in common, and he always found 
the good in people.''
  Friend Stacey Flick, added:

       Bryan strived to make sure he was there for his friends no 
     matter what.

  In fact, friends say it was the camaraderie of the Marine Corps that 
led Bryan to enlist.
  As his friend James Wallace said:

       Bryan was pretty much everything you want in a friend. . . 
     . He had such a big influence on the people he knew.

  Those who knew Bryan also remember his compassion and his willingness 
to listen. As his friend John said:

       I would always seek advice from [Bryan]. Even though I was 
     older, I would always get his opinion. He was mature beyond 
     his years.

  Bruce Wallace, the father of Bryan's best friend James, shared the 
following story about Bryan. This is what he said:

       I'd come home from work and Bryan would be sitting in the 
     living room, watching TV alone, waiting for Jamie. I'd ask 
     him if he was hungry. He'd say, `No, I already ate,' and I'd 
     go into the kitchen and see an empty cereal bowl in the sink! 
     He was the only person who could get away with this because 
     he was truly my second son. He wasn't like any of us. He was 
     so exceptional.

  After enlisting in 2005, Bryan quickly made friends among his fellow 
marines. PVT Adam Michaels met Bryan during their training and shared 
this story about him:

       Bryan was a great guy, and we had a lot of good times. I 
     hung out with him before he left [for Iraq], and he always 
     had a great presence. I remember watching Bengals games with 
     him even though I am a huge Packers fan! He was as great as 
     they come.

  Bryan lived life fully and left a lasting impression on his friends, 
family, and community. After his death, Miami Township named the 
football field at Miami Meadows Park, where Bryan used to played Pee 
Wee football, in his honor.
  Additionally, Clermont County held a ``Celebration of Life'' in 
tribute to Bryan. This celebration included a balloon launch of 60 red, 
white, and blue balloons, each filled with a note from Bryan's family 
and friends. Bryan's family also received an outpouring of support from 
many other families of fallen servicemembers, which has meant so very 
much to them.
  In talking about the loss of servicemembers, GEN George S. Patton--
who I know is a favorite of the Presiding Officer--once said that we 
should not mourn those who die on the field of battle. ``Rather,'' he 
said, ``we should thank God that such men lived.''
  Indeed, Mr. President, while we mourn, we do thank God that Bryan 
Taylor lived. He was a good son, brother, friend, and marine. Everyone 
who knew him loved him.
  In December 2005, Bryan visited his old high school dressed in his 
marine uniform. He came to say goodbye to his former teachers before 
leaving to serve in Iraq. According to those at the high school, he was 
very proud to be a marine and visited frequently to keep in touch with 
his favorite teachers. Milford High School Assistant Principal Mark 
Lutz shared the following story about his final visit with Bryan:

       Bryan had a young person's bravado. . . . Bryan was an 
     excellent young man. He was always looking for a new 
     challenge. . . . I think the Marines gave him a sense of 
     direction.

  Assistant Principal Lutz also remembers the pride with which Bryan 
served. This is what he said:

       Bryan was very proud of his decision to serve in the 
     Marines, which he credited with giving him direction and 
     helping him become an adult. He was looking forward to 
     returning to his unit to prepare for his tour of duty in 
     Iraq.

  In describing his role in the military, Bryan, himself, wrote the 
following paragraph shortly before he died:

       I am a Marine. . . . I am proud of what I do and to serve 
     the country that I do. We are here for you and your families. 
     We are the ones who are willing to give our lives to make 
     your life easier and safer. . . . I have seen a lot of good 
     men lose their lives because of what our beliefs are. I honor 
     these men every day.


[[Page S11460]]


  Indeed, Mr. President, we all must honor these brave souls--and 
Marine LCpl Bryan Taylor is one of them. He will be remembered as a 
wonderful young man, a loyal friend, and a proud marine. My wife Fran 
and I continue to keep his family in our thoughts and in our prayers.


                    Staff Sergeant Jason A. Benford

  Mr. President, this evening, I rise to honor the life of Army SSG 
Jason A. Benford from Toledo, OH. On September 27, 2005, SSG Benford 
died when insurgents attacked his patrol with small-arms fire in 
Ramadi, Iraq. He was 30 years of age at the time.
  Staff Sergeant Benford was a devoted family man--the husband of 
Kimberly and the father of two young sons, Lane and Jacob. He is also 
survived by his parents George and Linda Benford, his sisters Kimberly 
and Lori, his brother John, his grandparents Robert and Deloris, and 
numerous nieces and nephews.
  Jason truly was an excellent serviceman--the epitome of what a 
professional soldier should be. He was also a man who cared deeply for 
family and friends. His personal integrity and his devotion to duty 
were unmatched, and he consistently set high standards for himself.
  Jason was born on June 8, 1975. A 1993 graduate of Bowsher High 
School, he attended the University of Toledo before enlisting in the 
Army in 1994. He originally enlisted for 3 years, as a ``learning and 
growing'' experience. But it turned out that the Army was Jason's true 
calling, and he re-enlisted once his initial service was complete. 
According to his step-mother, Jason was planning to make the Army his 
career.
  After graduating from Basic and Advanced Individual Training, Jason 
served in the Republic of Korea before being assigned to Fort Benning, 
GA, where he served as team leader and senior gunner. In Georgia, Jason 
found more to keep him busy than simply being an excellent soldier. It 
was at this time that he met and married Kimberly, the love of his 
life, whose hometown was near Fort Benning.
  ``My mother had told me not to date soldiers,'' Kim remembers. ``But 
I did--and I married him.'' Shortly after being married in January 
1998, Jason was transferred to Vilseck, Germany, where he and Kim 
remained for 3 years before returning to Georgia.
  Jason loved his wife dearly, but he also loved his Ohio State 
University football, and on January 3, 2003, which was both his wedding 
anniversary and the night of the Buckeyes' legendary NCAA championship 
game against Miami, he had to make a choice. The decision, however, was 
easy. Lucky for him, Kim ate quickly, and the game went into overtime. 
``He took me out to dinner,'' Kim laughed, ``but he was looking at his 
watch the whole time. He lived in Georgia, but he was always a 
Buckeye.''
  In July 2005, Jason was able to spend Independence Day with his 
family while on a 2-week leave. It was a time in which many memories 
were made. ``We spent time in Panama City, went to a Braves game in 
Atlanta, and had fun at Whitewater,'' Kim remembers. ``It was a great 
time to be together--just the family.''
  Kim remembers that her husband was a calm, even-tempered man who did 
not easily lose his cool. ``He's always been a special, special person, 
so even-toned,'' she said. ``He'd handle all types of situations and 
not even break a sweat. That was one of the things we appreciated so 
much, [and] I know the soldiers did too.''
  Those who served with Jason also remember his calm demeanor and his 
optimistic nature. CPT Brian Mehan left his friend the following 
message on an Internet tribute website in memory of Jason:

       Staff Sergeant Benford and I served together. His levity 
     and friendly demeanor made even the hard times more bearable. 
     The world will be a lesser place without him.

  Those who knew Jason have rallied around his family in support. 
Stacey Jarzeboski, from Toledo, left his parents and family the 
following message on that Internet tribute website:

       I am so sorry to hear of your loss. My sisters (Becky & 
     Kim) and I were childhood friends of John and Jason. I can 
     remember how full of life [they] were together. I'm sorry 
     that he was taken from you.

  Nothing was more important to Jason than his family, and he talked to 
Kim as often as possible while in Iraq. According the Kim, they sent 
instant messages to each other twice a day and talked on the phone 
regularly while he was stationed there. After he was sent to Ramadi, 
however, Jason was only able to call once--the day before he died.
  Jason was completing his second tour of duty in Iraq when he was 
killed. His service to our Nation earned him more medals than I can 
name here, but they include the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, 
the Army Commendation Medal, (1 Oak Leaf Cluster), and the Army 
Achievement Medal, (6 Oak Leaf Clusters).
  Mr. President and Members of the Senate, Army SSG Jason Benford was 
devoted both to the Army and to his country. But most importantly, 
Jason was a loving husband, father, and son--someone for whom family 
came first. He loved simply spending time with his family, and sharing 
his love of sports with his two sons.
  Mr. President, my wife Fran and I will continue to keep Jason and his 
family in our thoughts and in our prayers.


                Lance Corporal Dustin Robert Fitzgerald

  Mr. President, I rise tonight to pay tribute to Marine LCpl Dustin 
Robert Fitzgerald from Huber Heights, OH. On August 18, 2004, Lance 
Corporal Fitzgerald was killed in a vehicle accident in the Al Anbar 
Province of Iraq. He was 22 years old. He is survived by his parents 
Michael and Melody Fitzgerald, and his brothers Brandon and Shannon.
  Ever since he was a small boy, Dusty--as he was known by family and 
friends--knew that he wanted to serve his country and help his fellow 
citizens. While attending Wayne High School, he enrolled in the 
school's Junior ROTC program.
  Initially, Dusty wanted to be a pilot in the Air Force. However, he 
came home one day and told his mother that he instead wanted to be a 
marine. At such a young age, Dusty knew exactly what he wanted to do. 
He was determined and took steps to pursue his dream.
  Dusty simply loved ROTC. ``He gave his all,'' his mother recalled. 
``He enjoyed it so much and took it very seriously.'' Dusty 
participated in the Junior ROTC program for 3 years.
  During this time, Dusty made many friends. The other young students 
in Junior ROTC respected him and enjoyed his company. They found him to 
be sincere person--someone with a good sense of humor. One of Dusty's 
many friends, Brenna Downs, wrote the following in a posting on an 
Internet tribute to Dusty:

       When I heard about what happened to Dusty, I was 
     immediately taken back to junior high and early high school, 
     when he used to hang out with all of us. He definitely stood 
     out in our group with his sense of humor. He was genuine. 
     Years after I knew him, I still remember how he made us all 
     laugh. He was a good guy and will be remembered and missed by 
     his old friends.

  Dusty and his friends enjoyed baseball, basketball and wrestling 
while they were in high school. Dusty's friends were drawn to him for 
the same reasons his peers at Junior ROTC were drawn to him. His mother 
said that Dusty ``was very adventurous. [He had a] wonderful sense of 
humor. [He was] easy-going. He never had an enemy.''
  In addition to sports, Dusty was crazy for cars. ``When Dustin wasn't 
fighting in wars, he loved souping up cars,'' his mother recalled. In 
high school, Dustin fixed up a 1996 Dodge Stratus, outfitting it with 
racing tires and a spoiler. And just 4 months before he entered the 
Marines, he bought his dream car--a 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse. He spent 
hours fixing it up. While he was stationed in the Middle East, Dusty 
would ask his mother to buy car accessories so he would have them when 
he got home.
  After graduating from Wayne High School in 2000, Dusty began taking 
steps to fulfill his dream of becoming a marine. When he left for boot 
camp, his family was extraordinarily proud of him. Melody said of her 
son, ``Dusty was proud, too. You [could] look into his eyes and see his 
pride.''
  After boot camp, Dusty's life moved quickly. He was assigned to 
Battalion Landing Team 1-2 with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit out 
of Camp Lejeune, NC. In January 2003, Dusty and his unit headed 
overseas on the U.S.S. Gunston Hall. His family missed him 
tremendously, but they knew he was doing the right thing--that he was 
doing what he believed in.

[[Page S11461]]

  Dusty was dearly loved and respected by all. SSG B. Coomer said that 
being a marine was in Dustin's blood even before he enlisted. He left 
Dustin's family the following message on the Internet tribute Web site:

       I am terribly sorry to hear about Dusty. We graduated the 
     same year, and we were in Sea Cadets together. At the time, I 
     was the Cadet leader when I met him. He was a Marine long 
     before he entered Marine basic training.
       I know that he was one of the most well disciplined cadets 
     in our unit. He always listened very well and took whatever 
     task we had to accomplish very seriously whether it was Kung 
     Fu training, drill, or running the obstacle course. He loved 
     the movie, `Full Metal Jacket' and often, we would joke 
     around with him telling him that he looked like the main 
     character. He would quietly laugh and [imitate that] 
     character.
       I am thankful to have known him and to have served with 
     him. As I have said, he was a Marine long before he ever 
     entered basic training, and he will never be forgotten as a 
     friend, Marine, and fellow Sea Cadet.

  During a memorial service in Dusty's honor, family, friends and 
neighbors all gathered to pay their respects. They released blue 
balloons in his honor.
  Dusty be remembered by everyone he met. Christina Benn, who met Dusty 
in North Carolina, recalls her first meeting with him. This is what she 
said:

       My daughters Alyssa and Lauren and I reside in Greenville, 
     North Carolina, where I had the pleasure of meeting . . . 
     Dustin. He was a very loving and compassionate Marine, who 
     came into our lives and brought us happiness. Our hearts go 
     out to the Fitzgerald family for life. We will keep you and 
     your precious loving son in our prayers, and may God help 
     guide you through these trying times.

  The world is a better place since Marine LCpl Dustin Fitzgerald has 
been in it. He had a glowing smile, a fine sense of humor, a big heart, 
and a tremendous sense of dedication to his family, community, and 
country.
  My wife Fran and I continue to keep Dustin's family in our thoughts 
and in our prayers.


                         Sergeant James Worster

  Mr. President, I rise tonight to remember a fallen servicemember--SGT 
James Worster, from Broadview Heights, OH. Sergeant Worster was serving 
as a medic with the Army's 10th Command Support Hospital in Baghdad, 
when he died of cardiac arrest on September 18, 2006. He is survived by 
his wife Brandy, his young son Trevor, his mother and stepfather Donna 
and Burleigh Thornton, his brothers Jack and Josh, and his sister Joy. 
He was just 24 years old.
  James Worster was a dedicated and compassionate young man who 
responded to a pair of tragic events by finding a way to serve his 
country and help those in need. After his father Richard died from a 
medical condition in 2000, James was inspired to become a doctor. He 
simply decided that he wanted to help others.
  One year later, James was studying at Cleveland State University when 
the terrorists attacked the United States on September 11, 2001. The 
attacks had a profound impact on James and compelled him to enlist in 
the Army. He had a strong desire to help prevent other such attacks 
from happening on our homeland. By becoming a medic in the Army, he was 
able to both honor his father and serve our Nation.
  James was born in Fargo, ND, on March 30, 1982. He moved to Alaska 
when he was 7 and attended middle school and high school in the city of 
North Pole. Those who knew James describe him as a very focused 
student, who had a great work ethic. MAJ Jim Alonzo, who guided James 
through his high school Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps 
program, called him ``a shining star'' who was ``always there.''
  These were the very words Major Alonzo used when recommending James 
for an internship with the National Park Service after James's 
sophomore year of high school. Although the Park Service told Major 
Alonzo that they normally didn't hire interns as young as James, he was 
selected and spent the summers after his sophomore and junior years of 
high school working at Yellowstone National Park. This is the kind of 
impressive young man he was.
  While serving in the ROTC program in high school, James met Brandy 
Kusinski. He fell in love. After graduating from North Pole High School 
in 2000, James joined Brandy, then his fiancee, at Cleveland State 
University. The two were married on October 13, 2002, and they 
celebrated the birth of their son Trevor 2 years later.
  James felt a strong bond with children, both here at home and in 
Iraq. According to his mother, James's son Trevor ``was the light of 
his life.'' Donna said that her son ``hoped someday the country would 
be safe for his son and all people's [children].''
  This caring nature was evident in James's work at the 10th Combat 
Support Hospital in Baghdad, where he treated children who had been 
shot. His mother Donna said, ``He was glad he was there for them, and 
he was glad he was there for his soldiers.''
  James's work with soldiers and civilians, especially children, served 
as practice for what he hoped would be a medical career when he 
returned from Iraq. In Iraq, he performed a range of procedures that 
would prepare him procedures ranging from setting bones to even 
delivering babies.
  Those who met James were always impressed by his compassion and 
consideration. Cesar Gonzalez served in the 10th Combat Support 
Hospital alongside James. According to Cesar, James was one of the 
kindest persons in the hospital. He said that James would always ask 
him how he was doing and that he would always put the needs of others 
above his own. As James's mother said, he just ``loved people, and he 
[in turn] was loved by a lot of people.''
  James's family remembers him as someone who cared deeply about others 
and pursued his dreams with a smile on his face. In a written 
statement, his family spoke of this compassion and desire to help those 
around him. This is what they wrote:

       [James] had a very strong faith in God and a very strong 
     love of country. James lived life to the fullest, raising his 
     son and being a wonderful son, himself. Pursuing his dreams 
     took him to the Army, where he learned to save lives and 
     truly believed he was making a difference. His beautiful 
     smile and endearing personality brightened any day, and . . . 
     he was a beacon of light and will forever be remembered and 
     loved.

  While on leave, James was active in the Mustang Club in Colorado, an 
organization devoted to the preservation and appreciation of Mustang 
cars. James not only appreciated classic cars, he loved to race them.
  It was through racing that James met many friends, including Brandy 
from Colorado. According to Brandy, racing on the track simply isn't 
the same without James. She wrote the following on an Internet tribute 
Web site in James's memory:

       He was one of the greatest people I've ever met. I'm sorry 
     for all those who didn't have a chance to meet him. He 
     brought so much to everyone he met. It was just amazing to 
     see someone with that much compassion and heart.

  Also posted on that same Internet tribute website, is a message from 
Vicki Gleisner, whom James knew as ``Aunt Vicki.'' This is what she 
wrote:

       From the first day I met James, I knew he was a very 
     confident, gentle young man. Even though I think he was only 
     5 at the time, he wasn't a little boy. He was always 
     protecting his mom. I guess that when he was satisfied that 
     his mom was taken care of, he decided to take care of the 
     rest of us. James always had a very respectful way about him, 
     and he always made me feel important. Thank you for letting 
     me be a part of your life, James, and for leaving your smile 
     in my heart, so I can remember your gentleness.

  James was a young man who truly understood the importance of service 
to others--his family, his friends, and our Nation. He was a devoted 
husband, father, son, and brother. His life was one filled with, and he 
made a positive impact on everyone whom he met. My wife Fran and I will 
continue to keep SGT James Worster's family and friends in our thoughts 
and prayers.


                         Captain Tyler Swisher

  Mr. President, I rise tonight to honor and to remember a fellow 
Ohioan--Marine Captain Tyler B. Swisher from Cincinnati, OH. On October 
21, 2005, CPT Swisher was killed when his vehicle was struck by an 
improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations against 
enemy forces in Iraq. He was 35 years-old.
  Tyler was the type of person who simply never gave up. He always 
sought out new challenges. At the time of his death, he was serving his 
third tour of duty in Iraq--and was looking forward to serving two 
more. This is typical of his dedication and determination to succeed.

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  In high school, Tyler proved himself academically, by spending hours 
studying his books and lessons. His hard work paid off, when he made 
the honor roll during his senior year--an accomplishment for which he 
was very proud. After high school, Tyler went on to Butler University, 
where he graduated with a degree in biology in 1993.
  And then, Tyler set his sights on the Marines. A longtime friend of 
the Swisher family, Jack Buckholz, remembers that Tyler attacked the 
challenges of boot camp with the same ferocity and determination that 
he had displayed with everything he did. He spent 6 months training on 
his own to make sure he was prepared. He ran several miles a day and 
worked construction to strengthen his muscles. ``He had a rope that he 
would climb every day,'' Jack Buchholz remembers. ``After that, boot 
camp was not so bad [at all].''
  Tyler entered the Marines as an enlisted man and then worked his way 
up to Officer's Commission in 1997 and eventually became on to being a 
company commander for the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, based in 
Camp Lejeune, NC. When he died in Iraq, 200 Marines were under his 
command.

       Tyler died doing what all Marine officers aspire to do--
     [and that is] lead Marines in combat,'' said Captain Gary 
     McCullar, one of Tyler's best friends. ``Tyler never 
     faltered. Tyler did it right.

  Tyler sought out challenges that most people would shy away from--
challenges like training for mountain warfare in Korea, which involved 
steep climbing, rocky slopes, and living outdoors in harsh elements. 
``It was miserable,'' Captain McCullar remembered. ``[And,] he loved 
it.''
  Tyler always pushed himself beyond all expectations and always gave 
his best--whether it was for himself, his school, or his country.
  Tyler was a dedicated and hard-working Marine, but he was also a 
selfless person, who always placed the needs of family, friends, 
Marines, and Nation above his own. But, most important to him were his 
wife Stephanie and their three children: Ashleigh, Madison, and Jacob. 
Stephanie's brother Peter Lynch remembers that Tyler was a devoted 
father and a committed husband. For Stephanie, he was consistently a 
source of strength. No matter how bad a day she was having, he was 
always able to get a burst of laughter out of her.
  And Tyler's daughter Ashleigh left him the following message on an 
Internet tribute Web site:

       Tyler Swisher, my Dad, was an amazing man. He was more than 
     a Dad to me . . . he was my hero. He gave me the strength to 
     face many hardships in my life, and he was always there for 
     me. He was the best father anybody could ask for. He's my 
     inspiration everyday to live life. . . . I will never stop 
     missing him. I'm so proud of you Daddy, thanks so much for 
     being my hero, and protecting us all. With love, Ashleigh.

  Todd Smith was one of Tyler's boyhood buddies. At Tyler's funeral, he 
addressed the following words to his friend:

       I remember sitting in the [movie theater], watching `The 
     Empire Strikes Back' all day long. You were always there for 
     me more than I was there for you. I could count on you to 
     tell me right from wrong. I could count on you to stick up 
     for me, and you taught me to stick up for myself. I've always 
     looked up to you and can't begin to say how proud I am of 
     you. You made the ultimate sacrifice for your country, and 
     you are truly a hero. I am lucky and blessed you were part of 
     my life.

  Tyler's fellow Marines in Iraq felt the same respect and admiration 
for Tyler as his family and friends did back home. Doug Miorandi from 
Phoenix, AZ, expressed his respect for his friend and fellow serviceman 
on an Internet tribute Web site. This is what he wrote:

       I was fortunate enough to have served with Tyler and feel 
     honored to call him my friend. Tyler and I were roommates for 
     over two years, serving at both Marine Barracks Washington, 
     D.C., and the Presidential Retreat at Camp David. From being 
     a `spit and polished' Presidential Security Guard to a hard 
     charging Marine grunt, Tyler epitomized the word `Marine.' 
     I'll never forget our time together, and I feel fortunate to 
     have been a part of your life.

  CPT Tyler Swisher was buried a hero at Arlington National Cemetery, 
and I am honored that I had the opportunity to attend the funeral 
services in Ohio for this fine marine. The streets were lined with 
family, friends and fellow servicemen and women who had come to honor 
him. Everyone I spoke to that sunny November day had the same thing to 
say--Tyler Swisher had loved being a marine, and he loved what he was 
doing.
  I would like to conclude with the words of Tyler's dear friend, CPT 
Gary McCullar, who was Tyler's military escort on his final journey 
home. In a letter to the Cincinnati Post thanking the community and 
citizens for the respect and honor they showed to Tyler and his family, 
he wrote the following:

       Captain Swisher epitomized the meaning of the Marines. He 
     was a leader, he was tough, he was the best that this country 
     has to offer, but most importantly he was a man who loved his 
     wife and children and enjoyed spending every minute he could 
     with them. Captain Swisher was also the best friend I ever 
     had. I am very proud of how the City honored my friend.

  Indeed the world is a better place because of Tyler Swisher. My wife 
Fran and I will continue to keep his family--his wife Stephanie and 
their three children Ashleigh, Madison, and Jacob, his parents David 
and Mary Beth Swisher, and his siblings John and Sara--in our thoughts 
and in our prayers.
  I thank the Chair very much this evening. I yield the floor and 
suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

                          ____________________