[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 54 (Wednesday, March 28, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E682]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               REMEMBERING SERGEANT NICHOLAS J. LIGHTNER

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                          HON. DARLENE HOOLEY

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 28, 2007

  Ms. HOOLEY. Madam Speaker, I ask this chamber to pause today and 
reflect upon the life of Sergeant Nicholas J. Lightner, United States 
Army.
  Nicholas served proudly with the 2nd Brigade Combat Team of the famed 
1st Cavalry Division.
  Sergeant Lightner was known by his peers as a tough soldier; to his 
men he was known as the kind of leader that people followed. He set an 
example of courage and valor that will stand the strains of memory and 
time.
  For much of his twenty-nine years, Nicholas Lightner wore the uniform 
of our country because he believed there was no higher calling.
  He took his profession seriously, and Sergeant Lightner reflected 
great credit upon himself, the Army, and the State of Oregon.
  Sadly, Sergeant Lightner died just a few days ago, just a few miles 
from the Capitol at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
  Most of his patrol perished in the attack on March 15, 2007. Nicholas 
Lightner survived Baghdad, and fought for his life with the same 
bravery he showed in the field. But the wounds were too severe; his 
devotion to duty ultimately was paid in full with his last measure.
  I am here today to ask us all to remember. Remember the sacrifice of 
those we send onto foreign soil for our benefit; to pledge to ourselves 
and to the families forever altered by this sacrifice that they will 
not have perished in vain.
  America is a great nation: great, because it is defended by 
volunteers that answer the call of service and stand in our stead; 
great, because our values are important enough to the men and women of 
our Armed Forces that they willingly sacrifice their sweat, their 
labor, and sometimes their lives.
  Nicholas Lightner died because he took upon himself the burden of 
protecting the Nation, State, and community he loved. Newport, Toledo, 
in fact all of Oregon, are now forever less than we would have been had 
Nicholas survived.
  Let us begin anew to dedicate ourselves to a cause that Nicholas 
Lightner believed in; let us begin today.

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