[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 135 (Friday, December 8, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2212]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO KASEY M. FEAUTO

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MARILYN N. MUSGRAVE

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, December 8, 2006

  Mrs. MUSGRAVE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the patriotism and 
military service of Specialist Kasey M. Feauto of Norfolk, NE.
  Kasey was born in Sioux City, Iowa on September 9, 1982. He is the 
son of Michael Feauto and Joy Kleinberg and the brother of Amy.
  Kasey graduated from Westwood Community High School in Sloan, Iowa in 
2002 where he was an honor roll student and played on the football 
team. After graduation he joined the Army National Guard in 2003.
  Mr. Feauto was deployed to Iraq on October 7, 2005, with the Charlie 
Battery, 1st Battalion, 147th Field Artillery. On December 4, 2005, 
Kasey was driving the lead truck of a three vehicle convoy when a 
roadside bomb exploded and hit the second truck in the convoy causing 
the truck to cross oncoming traffic and crash into a concrete wall. 
After realizing what had happened, Kasey turned his truck around to go 
help. The third truck was called to lend medical assistance but was hit 
by another roadside bomb.
  SFC Richard Schild, the gunner in the second truck, was killed 
instantly. SGT Allen Kokesh, the driver of the second truck, was 
seriously injured. Kasey pulled Kokesh out of the truck and performed 
life-saving medical attention, putting a tourniquet on his wounded arm 
and leg. This medical care saved Kokesh's life long enough for him to 
return home and see his family. SGT Kokesh passed away in February 2006 
from other wounds sustained that day. SSG Daniel Cuka, the truck 
commander in the third truck, was also killed from the explosion. SPC 
Corey Briest, the gunner in the third truck, was wounded.
  Private First Class Kasey M. Feauto, of Charlie Battery, 1st 
Battalion, 147th Field Artillery was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for 
exceptionally meritorious heroism in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 
and the life-saving aide he performed on SGT Allen Kokesh. His 
exemplary selfless service and outstanding dedication to duty during 
combat operations in Iraq contributed to the overwhelming success of 
the Command's mission. His actions are in keeping with the finest 
traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself 
and the United States Army.
  Through this entire trauma Kasey has maintained his heart and sense 
of humor and his ability to be there for his family and friends in 
their time of need. He maintains that the real heroes are those who 
have given their lives for this country. Specifically the men of 
Charlie Battery who gave their lives: SGT Allen Kokesh Jr., SSG Daniel 
Cuka, SFC Richard Schild, and SSG Greg Wagner.
  Home from Iraq, Kasey is living in Norfolk, NE with his fiancee Maria 
Vandersnick.
  Mr. Speaker, I am grateful for Mr. Feauto's selfless service to our 
Nation. I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing a man worthy of 
our honor, Specialist Kasey M. Feauto.

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