[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 134 (Thursday, December 7, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11478-S11479]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES
Captain Jason Hamill
Mr. LIEBERMAN. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to CPT
Jason Hamill, U.S. Army, 31, who grew up in Salem, CT.
Nearing the completion of a year-long tour in Bagdad, serving with E
Company, 3rd Battalion, 67th Armored Regiment, 4th Infantry Division,
Fort Hood, TX, Captain Hamill died of injuries sustained when his
military vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device.
Known for his sense of humor and as a bit of a mischief maker, he was
a proud family man. He followed in his father's footsteps serving in
the military with a deep, strong sense of purpose and belief in what he
was doing. Prior to entering the Army, Captain Hamill was a member of
ROTC at the University of Connecticut earning the respect of his fellow
members and classmates, as well as his engineering degree. He lived as
a true patriot and defender of our great Nation's principles of freedom
and justice serving in Afghanistan and Kosovo in addition to Iraq.
Captain Hamill is a true example of the powerful American spirit that
permeates this Nation's history. He served as a messenger of high
justice and idealism in the best tradition of American principles and
patriotism. I am both proud and grateful that we have the kind of
fighting force exemplified by Captain Hamill serving in the Persian
Gulf--and the strong families back at home sending their love and
support.
He was a credit to his family, his community, his service, and his
country. Our Nation extends its heartfelt condolences to his wife,
Karen, who he just married last year, and his parents, Sharon and
Richard. We extend our appreciation for sharing this outstanding
soldier with us, and we offer our prayers and support. You may be
justifiably proud of his contributions which extend above and beyond
the normal call of duty.
Corporal Adam A. Galvez, Usmc
Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, today I rise in solemn tribute to CPL Adam
A. Galvez of the Marines who gave his life in the service of his
country during the global war on terrorism.
Over the past few weeks, I have had a chance to talk with Adam's
mother Amy and his father Tony. They are wonderful people who are truly
proud of their son. In speaking with them, I quickly learned just what
a hero Adam was.
A lot of people use that word ``hero'' today without thinking about
what it really means. I like to define it as an individual doing
extraordinary things that serve the greater good. Adam's actions
clearly fit the bill.
For example, I understand that a month before his death, Adam was
wounded while outside a building with several fellow marines after a
suicide bomber detonated an explosive device. The explosion caused the
building to collapse. Yet, instead of tending to his own wounds, Adam,
began to dig, while under fire, for his fellow marines trapped in the
rubble.
That is the mark of a true hero.
Accordingly, I am proud to say that the Salt Lake City Council
unanimously voted to name a street in my hometown the ``Adam Galvez
Street.'' I cannot think of anything more appropriate.
I also want to acknowledge East High School sophomore Junior Cruz,
who as part of his Eagle Scout project came up with the idea of ``Adam
Galvez Street'' and saw it through to its fruition.
I am blessed to live in a great State in the greatest country in the
world. When I learn about the lives of young heroes such as Adam
Galvez, I am reminded that our true greatness lies in the sacrifice of
such noble and brave service members.
Private First Class Daniel G. Dolan, Usa
Mr. President, on this the 65th anniversary of the attack on Pearl
Harbor, I rise to pay tribute to a young American who gave his life to
ensure that our nation will never be attacked again. That young man's
name was PFC Daniel G. Dolan.
Just 1 month before his 19th birthday, Private First Class Dolan
joined the Army during a time of war. No doubt due to his
professionalism, Private First Class Dolan was assigned to the 3rd
Brigade of the 2nd Infantry Division which, of course, is the elite 1st
Stryker Brigade. This professionalism was also recognized when he was
awarded, posthumously, the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Combat
Infantry Badge.
We, as a nation, are truly blessed to have such young men and women
who are willing to serve. Private First Class Dolan's life was short,
but from what I have read it was full. I understand that he was an avid
hockey player and fan who played for Roy High School and was part of an
amateur hockey association. I also been told that standing up for what
is right is something that Private First Class Dolan did since
childhood, standing up for his little sister and the other children in
the neighborhood. Most of all he was a wonderful son to his parents Tim
and Fay Dolan.
I believe that his sister Michelle said it best: ``Everyone was proud
of him. He just wanted to serve his country, to be there for his
country . . . I think he was scared when he went to Iraq, but he really
wanted to go and serve us all.''
Such words can only describe a hero.
[[Page S11479]]
Second Lieutenant Scott B. Lundell, Uang
Mr. President, today I rise to pay tribute to a true American hero,
2LT Scott B. Lundell. Such a description is appropriate to describe
Lieutenant Lundell, who was killed in an ambush while training an
Afghan Army patrol in Oruzgan Province, Afghanistan.
Lieutenant Lundell was by all accounts a first-rate officer. He had
risen through the ranks, first enlisting in 2004 at the age of 32 in
the Utah National Guard's 19th Special Forces Group and then graduating
from Officer Candidate School.
Lieutenant Lundell truly felt a calling to serve, especially after
the events of September 11, 2001. I have read that his wife Jeanine
remembers that he was not satisfied supporting the war from home but
wanted to make a difference overseas, so much so that he did not wait
for the next deployment of his unit. Instead he volunteered for his
final assignment, training the Afghan military. Upon learning of his
passing, Lieutenant Lundell's brother-in-law said, ``He did not die
doing what he loved--he died doing what he felt passionately about.''
Lieutenant Lundell believed in the righteousness of cause so much
that when the youngest of his four children was born he named her
Liberty.
I am humbled that I had the honor to represent such a patriot in this
august body.
Major Marta Maltby, Usar
Mr. President, I rise to pay tribute to MAJ Marta Maltby, who died of
natural causes during her deployment with the 328th Combat Support
Hospital at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany.
This was the second time this intensive care nurse had deployed
overseas during a time of war to care for our Nation's wounded. Major
Maltby also deployed with the 328th during Operation Deseret Storm.
Accordingly, she was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal.
Recently, I was able to spend some time with Major Maltby's mother,
during an Army Reserve ceremony that, in part, honored the major. I
deeply appreciated this opportunity because I was able to learn just
how caring and remarkable a person Marta was, as a daughter, wife, and
as mother to two grown children.
As I said at that ceremony, Major Maltby, and the rest of her unit,
took a glimmer of hope and made survival and recovery a reality for
hundreds of our servicemembers. These are also words that describe a
true hero.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Maltby family during their
time of grieving. May they find solace in knowing that the country
appreciates the selfless dedication of their wife, daughter and mother,
MAJ Marta Maltby.
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