[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 135 (Friday, December 8, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11603-S11606]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES
Private First Class Jacob D. Spann
Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to Army PFC
Jacob D. Spann from Columbus, OH, who died on February 6, 2006, when a
roadside bomb detonated beneath his military vehicle in Iraq. Jacob was
21 years of age at the time.
PFC Spann leaves his father and stepmother Larry and Libby, his
mother and stepfather Deborah and Dennis, brothers Derek, Adam, Joe,
Josh, and Chris, sisters Sonni, Sarah, Erin, and Helen, and grandmother
Jean.
Jacob Spann--known to family and friends as Jake, Jakey, and
sometimes even Jake the Snake--graduated from Westerville North High
School in 2003, and was known for his way of walking into a room and
lighting it up with his smile and big blue eyes. He had a talent of
being serious one minute, and fun-loving and light-hearted the next.
While at North High, Jake participated in wrestling, track, and
football. He had a natural athletic ability and was always looking to
immerse himself in something new and exciting. Dean of students and
head football coach at North High Chad Williams was assistant coach
when Jake was a linebacker. He remembers Jake as ``an extremely
hardworking, dedicated football player.'' In his words, ``[Jake] was a
kid who knew he was going to do everything he could for the team.''
Always most important for Jake were his family and friends. He was a
true and loyal friend to his high school classmates. It was here that
Jake met and started dating the love of his life, Abby Van Huffel.
After graduating, Jake took courses at Columbus State Community
College and worked in an autobody shop. The auto-body shop allowed him
to express a love of art that he had ever since he was a child, when he
would spend hours drawing and painting. If he didn't make the Marines,
he was thinking of opening his own shop. But Jake felt compelled to
join the Marines.
Jake joined the Corps in January 2005. He was assigned to Battalion
Landing Team's 1st battalion, 2nd Regiment, 22nd Expeditionary Unit,
2nd Expeditionary Force, based at Camp Lejeune, NC. Jake was well-liked
by those who he worked with in the military. His senior drill
instructor wrote the following to Jake's family on an Internet tribute
Web site:
I would like to express my deepest sympathies to the Spann
Family. I was your son's Senior Drill Instructor while he was
in Boot Camp. I have spoken to two of the Drill Instructors
who worked that Platoon with me, and your son's death has had
a profound impact on all of us. I was deeply saddened when I
saw it in the Marine Corps Times. Your son was a very good
recruit, and I know he was a good Marine.
Jake deployed to Iraq in November 2005. As always, however, before he
left, he was thinking more of others than of himself. With the few days
he had before leaving, he returned to Westerville for a visit and took
Abby out for a special birthday dinner. Abby's birthday wasn't until
December, but Jake would be far away then, and he didn't want to miss
celebrating with the girl he loved.
Before leaving, Jake also gave his mother Deborah a special present.
It was a pendant on a chain--a Marine Mother's Medal of Honor. Deborah
has worn it everyday since. ``We have a large and loving family,'' she
said, speaking of her son's love for those in his life. ``His family
came first and his Abby came first, and he loved us more than anything.
And he loved his country, and we respect that.''
According to his older sister Sonni, Jake was very proud when he left
for Iraq. The Marines had given him the confidence he had been
searching for. In conversations with his stepfather, he had even spoken
of becoming a drill sergeant one day.
It was typical of Jake that when he called home from Iraq, he wanted
to talk more about the ones he cared about than himself. He wanted all
the news he could get about his family--particularly his five brothers,
four sisters, and four nieces and nephews. Jake loved to call and talk
to his mom, whom he loved with all his heart.
Jake Spann was an excellent marine. Fellow platoon brother Lance
Corporal Monhollen said this about Jake:
I was in the same platoon as Spann in Boot Camp. He was a
leader then and was a leader before he died. He was also a
great friend.
Jake will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. He is an
inspiration to many students at Westerville North High School. In the
words of Chad Williams:
While a lot of our kids don't have a personal connection
with Jake, they really feel he's a part of the Warrior
football family, and they've asked me a lot about him. I
think that's kind of the best way to honor someone. A lot of
young kids are asking about him and want to live up to the
same honor and characteristics he had.
After Jake died, the lettering outside his old high school was
changed to proclaim: ``Jacob Spann--An Ultimate Warrior.''
Jake's mother finds it comforting that he did not return home from
Iraq alone. She tells a story of how six of the family's best friends
were out of the country when they heard the news that Jake had died.
When traveling home, their return trip was full of delays. The pilot
finally came on and informed the passengers that there
[[Page S11604]]
would be one final delay, as the plane was waiting for a ``very special
passenger"--a fallen soldier. ``Our friends realized it was our son,''
Deborah said. ``Things happen for a reason. They brought him home to us
and he was escorted by a Marine who would not leave his side until he
was where he needed to be.''
This was a fitting, final journey for a young man who had always been
surrounded by loving family and friends. Countless mourners attended
Jake's funeral and burial services to pay their respects and offer
comfort to Jake's family. According to Jake's mom, the toughest
challenge Jake would have faced returning home would have been
selecting the perfect ring for the planned engagement and wedding to
Abby.
At the funeral, Jake's brother read a letter from Abby, who said she
had been expecting to write wedding vows--not a eulogy. The letter
ended with the line, ``I will always be here loving you.'' On the
marble of Jake's tombstone, Abby is remembered as his ``soul mate.''
Marine PFC Jacob Spann was a fine man of whom we can all be proud. He
was loved by his community, his family, his friends, and his Abby. His
life and the sacrifice he made for our Nation will never be forgotten.
My wife Fran and I continue to keep Jacob's friends and family in our
thoughts and prayers.
Major Guy Barattieri
Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to Army MAJ Guy
Barattieri, originally of the Pleasant Ridge neighborhood of
Cincinnati, OH. A member of the National Guard's Alpha Company, 1st
Battalion, 19th Special Forces Group, based in Buckley, WA, Major
Barattieri was working in a civilian contract capacity on October 4,
2006, when he was killed by a roadside bomb in Iraq. He was 36 years of
age at the time.
Guy--known fondly by friends and family as ``Bear''--was born on June
21, 1970, and raised in Pleasant Ridge. He attended Nativity School and
was a linebacker on the 1986 State Champion Purcell Marian High School
football team.
Cliff Pope, a teammate of Bear's and his closest friend, remembers
him as someone who ``had a passion and intensity that was infectious to
us all.''
According to his uncle Larry Wheatley, Bear had always loved the
military--had loved it ever since he was just a small boy. When he was
accepted into the United States Military Academy at West Point, it was
a dream come true for him. Once at West Point, however, injuries kept
Bear from continuing to play football.
Chris Jenks is one of Bear's former classmates and teammates from
West Point. He remembers the ``never-quit'' attitude with which Bear
approached his injury. He wrote the following in Bear's memory on an
Internet tribute Web site:
Army doctors told Bear that he could no longer play
football. Bear took that in stride, and . . . decided that,
technically, the doctors never said he couldn't play Rugby,
[so] he started playing rugby, [instead].
After graduating from West Point in 1992, Bear attended the Infantry
Officer's Basic Course Ranger School and the Mortar Course before being
stationed in Baumholder, Germany. He later attended the Intelligence
Officer Advanced Course and branched out to the Special Forces. His
friend Chris Jenks remembers how impressed he always was by Bear's
``innate'' infantry leadership skills. ``Some things you can train or
teach,'' he said. ``Some things you are born with.''
In 2001, Bear joined the Seattle Police, where he was president of
his academy class. Bear's friend Detective Nick Bauer, who was his
field-training officer, described Bear with the following words:
[He was an] absolutely distinguished soldier, and a
distinguished officer--an extraordinary man, one of those
guys who won the hearts and minds of everyone he came in
contact with.
Bear remained with the Seattle Police Department until 2004.
In 2002, Bear went on active duty as a detachment commander in
Kuwait. When the 101st Infantry Division entered Baghdad in March 2003,
Bear's team was at the lead. For the role that he played, he received a
Bronze Star and Combat Infantryman's badge.
Without question, Bear made an impact in Iraq. He participated in
multiple missions, during which he captured three of the most wanted
members of Saddam Hussein's government--individuals who had been
depicted on the deck of playing cards issued by the U.S. Military.
Bear was a dedicated and excellent soldier. But he was also something
more--a loving and devoted family man. For Bear, those he loved always
came first. On December 11, 2005, Bear married the love of his life--
Laurel. They adored each other. He was a loving father to his two
girls--his 6-year-old stepdaughter Rees, and Odessa, who was born on
July 19, 2006. He loved his family more than anything else in the
world.
Family friend Mary Mascarella remembers that Bear was a doting
father. He would take Rees to swimming lessons, make her lunch, and
take her to school. And, when Odessa was just 3 weeks old, the family
was visited by Bear's stepmother Barbara. Barbara remembers how excited
he was about their new daughter. ``It was his first baby,'' she said,
``and he did it all--diapers and everything.''
I had the privilege of seeing several photos of Bear with his family.
One is from his wedding, with a beaming Laurel on one arm and Rees
cradled in the other. Another picture shows Bear with the newborn
Odessa in his arms. It is clear from looking at these pictures, how
incredibly happy Bear's family made him.
Even when he was away from home, Bear's pride and delight in his
family was apparent. In a tribute to Bear created by FOXNews, John
Fiegener remembers the way Bear lit up at the mention of his family. He
wrote:
[His] quick smile was one of the things that struck me most
about Bear, and his biggest smiles were reserved for the many
frequent mentions of his family back home. He never hesitated
to show pictures of his wife, his daughter, and eventually,
his newborn baby girl.
In Iraq, Bear was the head of the security team at the FOX Baghdad
office, and was there in October 2005 when car bombs destroyed the
hotel where they were located. On the FOXNews tribute Web site, Gordon
Robinson remembers how important Bear was at that time. He wrote this
about him:
Bear was the person who held all of us together, both as
individuals and as a news bureau. . . . Throughout it all, he
remained calm. When it was over, he was confident and
smiling, and that attitude helped the rest of us to
understand that we, too, were going to make it through.
Cliff Pope had met Bear during their freshman year of high school at
Purcell Marian. He remembers how committed Bear was to the ideals of
freedom and democracy. In Cliff's words:
Bear believed in America, he believed in democracy, and he
believed in his heart that God put him on this earth to
protect this country. And, he lost his life serving out what
he felt was his life's mission, which was protecting others.
There are perhaps no better words than those to describe the type of
man that Bear was. He was simply someone who cared. His friends, his
family, and his Nation are all proud of his service, and we owe him our
eternal gratitude.
My wife Fran and I continue to keep the family of MAJ Guy
Barattieri--his wife Laurel and his daughters Rees and Odessa, his
mother Patricia Wheatley, his father and stepmother Dick and Barbara
Barattieri, and his sisters Nicole, Becky, and Gina--all in our
thoughts and in our prayers.
Sy Jason Lucio
Mr. President, I rise today to honor the memory of a brave man from
Clyde, OH--Sy Jason Lucio. Sy was working as a civilian technician in
Afghanistan, when on April 6, 2005, he boarded a transport helicopter
bound for Bagram Air Force Base. Less than 100 miles from their landing
spot in Afghanistan, rough weather forced his Chinook helicopter to the
ground, killing all onboard.
Sy leaves his son Lars, his mother Sally, his father Stanley, and his
sister Hannah.
Sy attended Clyde High School, where he was known for his energy and
intelligence. After moving to Toledo and graduating from Swanton High
School, he decided to attend Penta Career Center. Over the next few
months, he quickly absorbed whatever his instructors threw at him. Sy
was well on his way to becoming an electrician of international
caliber.
[[Page S11605]]
Being the skilled technician that he was, he was an avid motorcycle
enthusiast and bought himself a Buell, which he rode whenever he got
the chance. He, like many young men before him, enjoyed the sound of
the engine, the freedom, and the exhilaration.
Sy also loved camping. In his youth, his parents took him on many
trips to the countryside. Perhaps it was there that his sense of
adventure was born. More than anything, though, Sy loved spending time
with his son Lars.
Sy's mother Sally remembers how he was happiest rolling around on the
floor with Lars and the other children in the family. She said that
``he was such a good daddy. I knew he'd be a good father, but he
exceeded my expectations.''
It was hard for Sy to leave his family behind him, but he knew there
was plenty of work for a skilled electrician in Afghanistan. To support
his family, to see the world, and to help his fellow countrymen, Sy
joined on with a U.S. contractor, and in early January 2005, he
traveled to their Texas headquarters for training. From there, he flew
to Afghanistan.
Sy entered this strange new world with confidence. He knew he had the
skills, and he knew he could make a difference in the lives of our
servicemembers and the lives of the Afghan people.
Sy's supervisor shared his memories of the brave young man. These are
his recollections:
Sy [sigh] had great electrical skills. He was a quiet man,
but very personable, and he often talked about his son. He
really cared about what he was doing and he was proud of the
contributions he was making. . . .
Indeed, Sy had so much about which to be proud. He traveled to
operating bases in far-flung parts of Afghanistan. Whatever the harsh
environment did to the military's equipment, Sy was there to fix. Day-
in and day-out, our servicemembers rely on the best hardware and
technical support in the world. Sy's knowledge and ability gave our
American military confidence in their equipment. There is no doubt that
his work saved lives.
Mr. President, those who knew Sy remember him more for how he lived,
than for how he left this earth. They remember his intelligence, his
kindness, his adventurous spirit, and his strong moral convictions.
They remember how he never wanted anyone to worry about him.
Indeed, Sy left an indelible mark on this world, in the memories of
his loved ones, and in the lives he changed through his great work. As
his cousin, Sarah Wilson, said, ``He was a hardworking guy, a very
loving guy, and a great father. He would do anything for anybody.''
Sy was a thoughtful and quiet man. He had a soft half-smile, which
relatives said he often wore instead of a grin so that people wouldn't
see his dimples.
Mike Urbine, Sy's instructor at Penta Career Center, knew that he was
enthusiastic about his career, and he saw Sy's intelligence reflected
in his work. This is what he said about Sy:
He seemed to have a clear head on his shoulders and was a
highly energetic individual. He was a pleasure to work with.
He was adventurous. I can see him going to foreign lands and
working for a big contractor.
Sy's father Stanley remembers his son as a strong family man. He
remembers Sy the patriot, and Sy the man, who--despite his youth--was
elected to the central committee of the Lucas County Democrat party.
Stanley said the following of his son, ``He believed in the union. He
believed in his son and taking care of him. He believed in God.''
Mr. President, Sy Lucio may not have worn a uniform, but he was
serving his Nation. He worked alongside our service members, he
traveled with them, and he worked to protect them by ensuring the good
working order and safety of their equipment. His death makes it
abundantly clear that he shared many of the same risks. Whatever titles
he held, career-wise, though, he was first and foremost a loving
father, an adventurer, and a brave American. He died a hero.
My wife Fran and I continue to keep Sy's family in our thoughts and
prayers.
Private First Class Samuel Bowen
Mr. President, I rise today to honor and remember a fellow Ohioan--
Army PFC Samuel Bowen, from Cleveland, who lost his life on July 7,
2004, while serving our country in Iraq.
Private First Class Bowen leaves his wife Melanie, their three
children Tiust, Darius, and Breonna, his mother Elsie, and his two
sisters Consuella and Tamatha.
Samuel--Sam to friends and family--was loved by everyone he met.
Known for his friendly face, Sam was the ``big man with a big heart,
intimidating in size, but soft-spoken and kind.''
His demeanor made him a favorite among those who knew him. He was
well-liked by the patrons who frequented the restaurants where he
cooked. And he was loved by his fellow Ohio National Guardsmen, who
fought by his side.
Sam spent most of his life in Berlin, MD, before moving to Cleveland.
He was the middle child between two sisters. His mother described Sam
as a typical boy who liked to take things apart and put them back
together. At 8 years old, he would tag along with the local electrician
who gave him his own tool belt. Other fond memories include one when
Sam was 3 years old and liked to stand on the kitchen stool to cook a
scrambled egg breakfast for his sisters.
Four years after graduating from Stephen Decatur High in Berlin, MD,
Sam enlisted in the Army where he honed the cooking skills he had
practiced as a young boy. After retiring from active duty, Sam joined
the Reserves and was stationed in Iraq this past December as a member
of the Ohio Army National Guard's 216th Engineering Battalion based in
Akron, OH.
Although he was on the other side of the world, Sam made sure to keep
in touch with his family, especially his wife Melanie and their
children. Sam's sister Consuella remembers that Sam would often leave
messages on her answering machine--messages she has not erased.
Consuella described her brother with these words: ``nice and always
doing [things] for others. That was his thing--always doing for others,
trying to take care of everybody else.'' That's exactly what he did.
While in Iraq, Sam risked his life to save another soldier in his
unit, his comrade Ron Eaton. On June 16, 2004, Sam and Ron were outside
an Army PX store in the intense Iraqi heat, buying Gatorade, when
grenades were thrown at them. Several rounds came their way and
shrapnel flew through the air injuring Ron and forcing him to the
ground. Without regard for his own safety, Sam grabbed Ron and pulled
him to safety while explosions erupted around them. Ron credits Sam
with saving his life in the incident that claimed the lives of three
soldiers and injured 25.
Sam was one of the first to call Ron following his surgery for the
injuries he sustained before Sam pulled him out of danger. Ron recalled
that Sam wanted to hear his voice to make sure his ``battle buddy'' was
okay. Ron was looking forward to meeting Sam's family and wanted to
thank him in person for saving his life.
Tragically, Ron will never have that chance, as Sam was killed when a
rocket-propelled grenade exploded near his vehicle in Samarra, Iraq on
July 7, 2004.
Sam Bowen was a hero--an American hero, whom we should remember the
same way his family will--as ``always doing the right thing.''
Just like Ron Eaton, we will never be able to fully thank Sam for his
selflessness. We will never be able to adequately express our respect
for this man, who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
At times like this, I am reminded of something that President Reagan
said almost 20 years ago at a Veteran's Day Celebration:
There is a special sadness that accompanies the death of a
serviceman, for we're never quite good enough to them--not
really; we can't be, because what they gave us is beyond our
powers to repay. And so, when a serviceman dies, it's a tear
in the fabric, a break in the whole, and all we can do is
remember.
Today, I stand here so that we may all remember Army PFC Samuel Bowen
and the sacrifice he made for our country.
I had the privilege of meeting Sam's family and friends at Sam's
calling hours, and I know that they will forever remember his smiling
face, his friendly demeanor, and giving attitude.
My wife Fran and I continue to keep Sam's family and friends in our
thoughts and prayers
[[Page S11606]]
I 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.
Lance Corporal Jonathan Etterling
Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to Marine LCpl Jonathan
Etterling, from Wheelersburg, OH, who died on January 26, 2005, in a
helicopter crash near Rutbah, Iraq. He was 22 years old. He is survived
by his parents William and Kay and his sister Angela.
Born December 27, 1982, in Portsmouth, OH, Jonathan--Jon to his
family and friends--was fascinated by military life from a young age.
As a boy, his mother remembers him spending hours taking apart a rifle
and putting it back together. His bedroom walls were covered with
military posters. He loved war stories and movies--anything that
represented bravery, selflessness, and sacrifice.
Jon's decision to join the Marines didn't surprise anyone who knew
him. As his Sunday school teacher Cathy Sizemore said, ``Some people
have a higher calling. Jon's was his country.''
Although Jon was the Etterling's only son, Jon had three surrogate
brothers growing up--his lifelong friends James Howard, Josh
Huddleston, and Alex Watts. The three met as young kids growing up on
the playgrounds of Wheelersburg.
Alex remembers meeting Jon in first grade. Standing in knee high tube
socks and sporting a goofy grin, Jon had asked him, ``Hey--you wanna be
friends?'' Alex, shy and somewhat surprised, was happy to agree. Like
so many other people, he was drawn to Jon's good-natured enthusiasm.
Quickly Jon, James, Alex, and Josh became inseparable, causing others
to jokingly refer to them as the Four Musketeers.
As a cheerful, easy-going student at Wheelersburg High School, Jon
excelled in the classroom and on the playing fields. He demonstrated
boundless energy and dedication, playing nose tackle on the football
team, running track, singing in the chorus, and acting in plays. He
was, as his high school superintendent described, ``an outstanding
young man . . . one of those kids who made you smile just being around
him.''
Jon was also an extremely hard worker. Jon was always trying to
better himself, doing everything his athletic coaches asked of him.
This work ethic earned Jon the respect of fellow teammates and coaches.
One of his football teammates, Bryan Yelley, said this of Jon's
attitude:
He was just one of those guys who got along with everybody.
He played hard--did everything as hard as he could. Whenever
he did something, he did it to the full extent of his
capabilities. As a person, he was everybody's friend.
Jon strove for excellence in everything he attempted. This
straightforward approach to life would help him achieve his lifelong
dream of becoming a Marine. Regarding Jon's goal of serving our
country, his football coach, Jim Gill, had this to say:
He was always interested in the military. I think when he
joined the Marines and reached boot camp, he reached his
goals. [With] the dedication he put into things he did, there
was never any doubt he would succeed.''
Jon's former defensive ends coach Dave Pyles agreed. ``Jon fit the
bill of a Marine,'' he said. ``Being the first in, that was him.'' For
Jon, there was no greater privilege than to serve and protect this
country.
Upon graduation from Wheelersburg High School in 2002, Jon and his
three closest friends--James, Josh, and Alex--joined the Marines and
endured the rigors of boot camp--together. Unsurprisingly, Jon's
dedication was evident during this challenging time. His friends
described him as ``the rock''--the one who they could all depend on for
strength and resolve. Among the very best of the Marine Corps, Jon
stood out.
After completing his training at Parris Island, Jon was stationed in
Hawaii and spent 3 months in Thailand--plus time in Okinawa, Korea, and
Japan--before going to Iraq. During this time, he was able to see and
explore a world much larger than most could imagine.
When Jon arrived in Iraq, he immediately moved to the front lines,
near Fallujah. He was enthusiastic about his job and excited to be
there. He wanted to make a difference. His father remembers that Jon
was doing what he loved--what he believed in. As his sister Angie said,
``My brother was very much military material.''
I had the privilege of attending Marine Lance Corporal Etterling's
funeral and to meet his family and to see the overwhelming outpouring
of love and support. Jon's three best friends--his brothers--James
Howard, Josh Huddleston, and Alex Watts were able to attend the
funeral, as well. The Four Musketeers were united once again.
Jon's life and his service to this country will not be forgotten.
Upbeat and cheerful, he was always willing to lend a hand to those who
needed it. He could be counted on to do the right thing. He had an
incredible work ethic, a strong faith, and a deep respect for others.
And no matter how difficult they were, he always accomplished his
goals.
His father summed it up best, when he said: ``I just can't be more
proud of him.''
My wife Fran and I continue to keep the family and friends of Lance
Corporal Jonathan Etterling in our thoughts and prayers.
____________________