[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 115 (Monday, July 14, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S6646]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES


                   specialist estelle ``lee'' turner

  Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to SPC 
Estelle ``Lee'' Turner and his heroic service to our country. As a 
member of the Army's Echo Company, 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry 
Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division based in 
Fort Campbell, KY, SPC Turner was serving in support of Operation 
Enduring Freedom. On July 2, 2008, he died in a hospital in Bethesda, 
MD after being mortally wounded by an IED in Afghanistan.
  Lee had already served his country for 6 years in the Army two 
decades earlier, having finished his military service in 1989. Yet this 
wasn't enough. Even though he had gone above and beyond, Lee still had 
the drive to be a hero. After moving to Sioux Falls in 2004, he 
reenlisted in the Army at the age of 39, after the Army had raised its 
age limit. He looked forward to being deployed to Afghanistan, his 
first tour in the war on terror. His wife recalls, ``He never seemed 
worried about it, this is something he believed in. He thought it was 
right.''
  Raised in a military family, patriotism was instilled in his heart 
from a young age. Lee's father served in the Navy for 18 years, and his 
grandfather was an Army soldier who served in World War II. His younger 
brother John is in the Army, and his wife is an Army reservist. Lee's 
awards and decorations include the Army Good Conduct Medal, the 
National Defense Service Medal, the Army Combat Action Badge, and the 
Purple Heart. Lee enjoyed racing and fixing cars, and playing guitar. 
He had a fierce devotion to his family, and he will be deeply missed by 
those who survive him: his wife Leah, his daughter Lyda, his siblings, 
John and ``Gucci'', and his mother Gloria.
  Specialist Turner gave his all for his soldiers and his country. Our 
Nation owes him a debt of gratitude, and the best way to honor his life 
is to emulate his commitment to our country. Mr. President, I join with 
all South Dakotans in expressing my deepest sympathy to the family and 
friends of Specialist Turner. He will be missed, but his service to our 
Nation will never be forgotten.

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