[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 120 (Tuesday, July 22, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1513-E1514]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            TRIBUTE TO STAFF SERGEANT WILLIAM RYAN FRITSCHE

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. C.A. DUTCH RUPPERSBERGER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 22, 2008

  Mr. RUPPERSBERGER. Madam Speaker, I rise before you today to honor 
the life of a soldier who died honorably serving his country in 
Afghanistan as a part of Operation Enduring Freedom. Staff Sergeant 
William Ryan Fritsche made the ultimate sacrifice for our country and 
we honor him for his service.
   Staff Sergeant Fritsche joined the U.S. Army under the delayed entry 
program at the age of 17, two weeks after the September 11, 2001 
attacks. He was first stationed with the Old Guard, the 3rd United 
States Infantry Regiment, the Army's official ceremonial unit and 
Escort to the President, which is based in Arlington, Virginia. In 
January 2007, Staff Sergeant Fritsche left the Old Guard and joined the 
1st Brigade, 91st Calvary regiment, 173rd Airborne unit based out of 
Vinceca, Italy. With this new unit, he left in March for a 15 month 
deployment to Afghanistan.
   In July of 2007 at the age of 23, Staff Sergeant Fritsche was killed 
in action while leading a dismounted patrol in Kamu, Afghanistan in 
support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He was awarded the Bronze Star, 
the Purple Heart, a NATO citation, an Afghanistan Campaign Ribbon and 
the Combat Infantry Badge.
   I commend Staff Sergeant Fritsche for his commitment to our country 
and his courage to fight for freedom in an unsettled world. Without 
doubt, his bravery gives his mother, Mrs. Volitta Fritsche of 
Martinsville, Indiana, and his widow, Mrs. Brandi Nicole Fritsche of 
Maryland's 2nd Congressional District, great pride. In honor of Staff 
Sergeant Fritsche's commitment to preserving the freedom of our nation, 
friends and relatives have established an ongoing scholarship in his 
name, the SSG W. Ryan Fritsche Memorial Scholarship Fund.
   Madam Speaker, I ask that you join with me today to honor the 
patriotism and dedication of

[[Page E1514]]

Staff Sergeant William Ryan Fritsche. His love of country and 
willingness to serve will forever reverberate in our memories. It gives 
me great pride to honor one of our nation's fallen heroes.

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