[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 177 (Thursday, November 20, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Pages S10711-S10715]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES
Mr. LAUTENBERG. Mr. President, another 4 months have passed, and more
American troops have lost their lives overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan.
I wish to memorialize their service and sacrifice by including their
names in the Congressional Record.
Since I last included the names of our fallen troops on July 15, the
Pentagon has announced the deaths of 162 troops in Iraq and in
Operation Enduring Freedom, which includes Afghanistan. They will not
be forgotten and today I submit their names into the Record:
CPL Aaron M. Allen, of Buellton, CA;
CWO Christian P. Humphreys, of Fallon, NV;
CWO Donald V. Clark, of Memphis, TN;
SGT Jonnie L. Stiles, of Highlands Ranch, CO;
SGT James M. Clay, of Mountain Home, AR;
SPC Corey M. Shea, of Mansfield, MA;
SGT Jose Regalado, of Los Angeles, CA;
SPC Armando A. De La Paz, of Riverside, CA;
SSG Timothy H. Walker, of Franklin, TN;
PFC Theron V. Hobbs, of Albany, GA;
SPC Adam M. Wenger, of Waterford, MI;
SGT Daniel W. Wallace, of Dry Ridge, KY;
PFC Bradley S. Coleman, of Martinsville, VA;
SSG Scott J. Metcalf, of Framingham, MA;
1LT Trevor J. Yurista, of Pleasant Valley, NY;
SSG Kevin D. Grieco, of Bartlett, IL;
SGT Nicholas A. Casey, of Canton, OH;
PFC Cody J. Eggleston, of Eugene, OR;
LCpl San Sim, of Santa Ana, CA;
CPL Adrian Robles, of Scottsbluff, NE;
SSgt Brian P. Hause, of Stoystown, PA;
SGT Deon L. Taylor, of Bronx, NY;
LCpl Stacy A. Dryden, of North Canton, OH;
MAJ Robert D. Lindenau, of Camano Island, WA;
SPC Heath K. Pickard, of Palestine, TX;
SPC Justin A. Saint, of Albertville, AL;
SGT Federico G. Borjas, of San Diego, CA;
SGT John M. Penich, of Beach Park, IL;
SPC Cory J. Bertrand, of Center, TX;
SPC Stephen R. Fortunato, of Danvers, MA;
SGT Preston R. Medley, of Baker, FL;
SPC Christopher A. McCraw, of Columbia, MS;
CPL Scott G. Dimond, of Franklin, NH;
SGT Michael K. Clark, of Sacramento, CA;
SPC Geoffrey G. Johnson, of Lubbock, TX;
SGT Reuben M. Fernandez III, of Abilene, TX;
CPL Jason A. Karella, of Anchorage, AK;
COL Michael R. Stahlman, of Chevy Chase, MD;
SGT William P. Rudd, of Madisonville, KY;
SPC Jason E. von Zerneck, of Charlotte, NC;
PFC Tavarus D. Setzler, of Jacksonville, FL;
SPC Christopher A. Bartkiewicz, of Dunfermline, IL;
CPT Richard G. Cliff Jr., of Mount Pleasant, SC;
SFC Jamie S. Nicholas, of Maysel, WV;
SFC Gary J. Vasquez, of Round Lake, IL;
SPC Christopher T. Fox, of Memphis, TN;
PFC Jamel A. Bryant, of Belleville, IL;
SGT William E. Hasenflu, of Bradenton, FL;
CPT Michael J. Medders, of Ohio;
SSG Ronald Phillips Jr., of Conway, SC;
1LT Thomas J. Brown, of Burke, VA;
CH COL Sidney J. Marceaux Jr., of Beaumont, TX;
CPT Bruno G. Desolenni, of Crescent City, CA;
SSG Matthew J. Taylor, of Charleston, SC;
PO3 Matthew J. O'Bryant, of Duluth, GA;
SSG Nathan M. Cox, of Walcott, IA;
PVT Joseph F. Gonzales, of Tucson, AZ;
SGT Jerome C. Bell Jr., of Auburn, NY;
SSG Brandon W. Farley, of Grand Prairie, TX;
SSG Jason A. Vazquez, of Chicago, IL;
1LT Mohsin A. Naqvi, of Newburgh, NY;
CPT Bruce E. Hays, of Cheyenne, WY;
SGT Joshua W. Harris, of Romeoville, IL;
MAJ Rodolfo I. Rodriguez, of El Paso, TX;
1LT Robert Vallejo II, of Richland Hills, TX;
CPL Michael E. Thompson, of Harrah, OK;
CWO Brady J. Rudolf, of Oklahoma City, OK;
SGM Julio C. Ordonez, of San Antonio, TX;
SSG Anthony L. Mason, of Springtown, TX;
SGT Daniel M. Eshbaugh, of Norman, OK;
CWO Corry A. Edwards, of Kennedale, TX;
LTC James L. Wiley, of North Bend, OR;
CPT Darrick D. Wright, of Nashville, TN;
PFC Leonard J. Gulczynski I, of Carol Stream, IL;
HM3 Eichmann A. Strickland, of Arlington, WA;
LTC Ralph J. Marino, of Houston, PA;
PVT Michael W. Murdock, of Chocowinity, NC;
SGT Wesley R. Durbin, of Hurst, TX;
SSG Darris J. Dawson, of Pensacola, FL;
CWO Michael Slebodnik, of Gibsonia, PA;
SFC Daniel R. Sexton, of Wentzville, MO;
SPC Marques I. Knight, of San Juan Capistrano, CA;
CPO Jason Richard Freiwald, of Armada, MI;
SCPO John Wayne Marcum, of Flushing, MI;
CPT Jesse Melton III, of Randallstown, MD;
1LT Nicholas A. Madrazo, of Bothell, WA;
PVT Vincent C. Winston Jr., of St. Louis, MO;
PVT Michael R. Dinterman, of Littlestown, PA;
PVT Jordan P. P. Thibeault, of South Jordan, UT;
PFC Bryan R. Thomas, of Battle Creek, MI;
SSG Kenneth W. Mayne, of Fort Benning, GA;
[[Page S10712]]
SFC Gregory A. Rodriguez, of Weidman, MI;
PFC Patrick W. May, of Jamestown, NY;
PO1 Joshua Harris, of Lexington, NC;
SPC Steven J. Fitzmorris, of Columbia, MO;
SPC Jorge L. Feliz Nieve, of Queens Village, NY;
SPC Carlo E. Alfonso, of Spokane, WA;
SPC Michael L. Gonzalez, of Spotswood, NJ;
SGT David K. Cooper, of Williamsburg, KY;
PFC Tan Q. Ngo, of Beaverton, OR;
SSG Brian E. Studer, of Ramsey, MN;
SSG David L. Paquet, of Rising Sun, MD;
SFC David J. Todd Jr., of Marrero, LA;
SFC George Stanciel, of Greenwood, MS;
SGT Nickolas Lee Hopper, of Montrose, IL;
LCpl Travis M. Stottlemyer, of Hatfield, PA;
PFC Jonathon L. Luscher, of Scranton, PA;
1LT Donald C. Carwile, of Oxford, MS;
PFC Paul E. Conlon Jr., of Somerville, MA;
PVT Janelle F. King, of Merced, CA;
SSG Kristopher D. Rodgers, of Sturgis, MI;
CPL Anthony G. Mihalo, of Naperville, IL;
LCpl Juan Lopez-Castaneda, of Mesa, AZ;
LCpl Jacob J. Toves, of Grover Beach, CA;
PFC Daniel A. C. McGuire, of Mashpee, MA;
CPL James M. Hale, of Naperville, IL;
SGT Michael H. Ferschke Jr., of Maryville, TN;
CPL Adam T. McKiski, of Cherry Valley, IL;
CPL Stewart S. Trejo, of Whitefish, MT;
PFC John A. Mattox, of Daingerfield, TX;
SGT Kenneth B. Gibson, of Christiansburg, VA;
SGT Jose E. Ulloa, of New York, NY;
PO2 Anthony M. Carbullido, of Agat, GU;
MSG Danny E. Maybin, of Columbia, SC;
SGT Errol M. James, of St. Croix, VI;
SPC Ronald A. Schmidt, of Newton, KS;
PVT Timothy J. Hutton, of Dillon, MT;
CAPT Garrett T. Lawton, of Charleston, WV;
SGT Gary M. Henry, of Indianapolis, IN;
SPC Jonathan D. Menke, of Madison, IN;
SGT Jaime Gonzalez Jr., of Austin, TX;
SSG Brian K. Miller, of Pendleton, IN;
SGT Ryan P. Baumann, of Great Mills, MD;
PFC Jennifer L. Cole, of American Canyon, CA;
SPC Andre D. Mitchell, of Elmont, NY;
SPC David J. Badie, of Rockford, IL;
2LT Michael R. Girdano, of Pennsylvania;
SPC William J. Mulvihill, of Leavenworth, KS;
PVT Jair De Jesus Garcia, of Chatsworth, CA;
SPC Kevin R. Dickson, of Steelville, MO;
SGT James A. McHale, of Fairfield, MT;
SSGT Faoa L. Apineru, of Yorba Linda, CA;
SPC Seteria L. Brown, of Orlando, FL;
PFC Ivan I. Wilson, of Clearlake, CA;
1LT Nick A. Dewhirst, of Onalaska, WI;
SSGT Danny P. Dupre, of Lockport, LA;
BM3 Daniel R. Verbeke, of Exton, PA;
PFC Willington M. Rhoads, of Las Vegas, NV;
1LT Jason D. Mann, of Woodlynne, NJ;
TSgt Jackie L. Larsen, of Tacoma, WA;
LCpl Jeffery S. Stevenson, of Newton, NJ;
SSG David W. Textor, of Roanoke, VA;
SSG Jeremy D. Vrooman, of Sioux Falls, SD;
1LT Jonathan P. Brostrom, of Hawaii;
SGT Israel Garcia, of Long Beach, CA;
CPL Jonathan R. Ayers, of Snellville, GA;
CPL Jason M. Bogar, of Seattle, WA;
CPL Jason D. Hovater, of Clinton, TN;
CPL Matthew B. Phillips, of Jasper, GA;
CPL Pruitt A. Rainey, of Haw River, NC;
CPL Gunnar W. Zwilling, of Florissant, MO;
SPC Sergio S. Abad, of Morganfield, KY.
We cannot forget these men and women and their sacrifice. These brave
souls left behind parents and children, siblings, and friends. We want
them to know the country pledges to preserve the memory of our lost
soldiers who gave their lives for our country.
Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, today I rise to pay tribute to 28 young
Americans who have been killed in Iraq since April 16. This brings to
859 the number of service members either from California or based in
California that have been killed while serving our country in Iraq.
This represents 20 percent of all U.S. deaths in Iraq.
PO1 Cherie L. Morton, 40, died April 20 in Galali, Muharraq, Bahrain.
Petty Officer 1st Class Morton was assigned to Naval Security Force,
Naval Support Activity Bahrain. She was from Bakersfield, CA.
SGT Guadalupe Cervantes Ramirez, 26, died on April 23, 2008, in Camp
Arifjan, Kuwait, of injuries suffered in a vehicle incident. Sergeant
Cervantes Ramirez was assigned to the 2nd Transportation Company,
National Training Center Support Brigade, Fort Irwin, CA. He was from
Fort Irwin, CA.
SPC William T. Dix, 32, died April 27 at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, of
injuries suffered in a noncombat related incident. Specialist Dix was
assigned to the 14th Engineer Battalion, 555th Engineer Brigade, I
Corps, Fort Lewis, WA. He was from Culver City, CA.
SGT Merlin German, 22, died April 11 at Brooke Army Medical Center,
San Antonio, TX, from wounds he suffered while conducting combat
operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq, on February 22, 2005. Sergeant
German was assigned to the 5th Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st
Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, CA,
while deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Sergeant German's
parent unit was the 2nd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine
Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, CA. He was
medically retired September 28, 2007, as a result of his injuries.
SSG Bryan E. Bolander, 26, died April 29 in Baghdad from wounds
suffered when his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device. Staff
Sergeant Bolander was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry
Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, Air
Assault, Fort Campbell, KY. He was from Bakersfield, CA.
SGT Glen E. Martinez, 31, died May 2 in Al Anbar province, Iraq,
supporting combat operations. Sergeant Martinez was assigned to the
Combat Logistics Battalion 1, Combat Logistics Regiment 1, 1st Marine
Logistics Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, CA.
LCpl James F. Kimple, 21, died May 2 in Al Anbar province, Iraq,
supporting combat operations. Lance Corporal Kimple was assigned to the
Combat Logistics Battalion 1, Combat Logistics Regiment 1, 1st Marine
Logistics Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, CA.
CPL Miguel A. Guzman, 21, died May 2 in Al Anbar province, Iraq,
supporting combat operations. Corporal Guzman was assigned to the
Combat Logistics Battalion 1, Combat Logistics Regiment 1, 1st Marine
Logistics Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, CA. He
was from Norwalk, CA.
LCpl Casey L. Casanova, 22, died May 2 in Al Anbar province, Iraq,
supporting combat operations. Lance Corporal Casanova was assigned to
the Combat Logistics Battalion 1, Combat Logistics Regiment 1, 1st
Marine Logistics Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton,
CA.
PFC Aaron J. Ward, 19, died May 6 in Al Anbar, Iraq, of wounds
suffered when his unit came under small arms fire while conducting
cordon and search operations. Private First Class Ward was assigned to
the 170th Military Police Company, 504th Military
[[Page S10713]]
Police Battalion, 42nd Military Police Brigade, Fort Lewis, WA. He was
from San Jacinto, CA.
SPC Mary J. Jaenichen, 20, died May 9 in Iskandariyah, Iraq, of a
noncombat related injury. Specialist Jaenichen was assigned to the
Brigade Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry
Division, Fort Stewart, GA. She was from Temecula, CA.
SSG Frank J. Gasper, 25, died May 25 in Najaf, Iraq, of wounds
suffered when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device.
Staff Sergeant Gasper was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 10th Special
Forces Group, Fort Carson, CO. He was from Merced, CA.
SGT Cody R. Legg, 23, died June 4 in Tikrit, Iraq, of wounds suffered
in Sharqat, Iraq, when his unit was attacked by enemy forces using
small arms fire and hand grenades. Sergeant Legg was assigned to the
1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th
Mountain Division, Light Infantry, Fort Drum, NY. He was from
Escondido, CA.
SGT John D. Aragon, 22, died June 12 in Kadamiyah, Iraq, of wounds
suffered when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device.
Sergeant Aragon was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 75th Cavalry
Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, Air
Assault, Fort Campbell, KY. He was from Antioch, CA.
SSG Du Hai Tran, 30, died June 20 in Baqubah, Iraq, of wounds
suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his unit
while on patrol during combat operations. Staff Sergeant Tran was
assigned to the Fires Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, Vilseck,
Germany. He was from Reseda, CA.
SGT Alejandro A. Dominguez, 24, died June 25 in Mosul, Iraq, from
wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive
device on June 24. Sergeant Dominguez was assigned to the 1st Squadron,
3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Hood, TX. He was from San Diego, CA.
LCpl Jeffery S. Stevenson, 20, died July 13 from a nonhostile
incident in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Lance Corporal Stevenson was
assigned to the 7th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics
Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, CA.
SSG Faoa L. Apineru, 31, died July 2, 2007, from wounds sustained
while supporting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq. Staff
Sergeant Apineru was assigned to Headquarters Company, 23rd Marines,
4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve. He was wounded on May 15,
2005. After his death on July 2, 2007, the initial medical examiner
concluded that Staff Sergeant Apineru did not die from injuries
sustained during his deployment, but a subsequent opinion by the Armed
Forces Institute of Pathology indicated that his death was a result of
his injuries sustained in Iraq. He was from Yorba Linda, CA.
PFC Jennifer L. Cole, 34, died August 2 in Bayji, Iraq, of injuries
suffered in a noncombat related incident. Private First Class Cole was
assigned to the 426th Support Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st
Airborne Division, Air Assault, Fort Campbell, KY. She was from
American Canyon, CA.
CPL Adam T. McKiski, 21, died August 7 while supporting combat
operations in Anbar Province, Iraq. Corporal McKiski was assigned to
the 1st Maintenance Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, I Marine
Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, CA.
CPL Stewart S. Trejo, 25, died August 7 while supporting combat
operations in Anbar Province, Iraq. Corporal Trejo was assigned to the
1st Maintenance Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, I Marine
Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, CA.
PVT Janelle F. King, 23, died August 14 in Baghdad, Iraq, of injuries
suffered in a non-combat related incident. Private King was assigned to
the 115th Combat Support Hospital, Fort Polk, LA. She was from Merced,
CA.
COL Michael R. Stahlman, 45, died October 5 from injuries sustained
in a July 31 nonhostile incident in Anbar province, Iraq. Colonel
Stahlman was assigned to Headquarters Battalion, Marine Corps Air
Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, CA.
SGT Michael K. Clark, 24, died October 7 in Mosul, Iraq, of wounds
suffered when he encountered small arms fire while on dismounted
patrol. Sergeant Clark was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry
Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson,
CO. He was from Sacramento, CA.
LCpl Stacy A. Dryden, 22, died October 19 from injuries sustained in
a nonhostile incident in Anbar province, Iraq. Lance Corporal Dryden
was assigned to 1st Supply Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, Camp
Pendleton, CA.
SPC Armando A. De La Paz, 21, died November 13 in Baghdad, of
injuries sustained during a vehicle rollover. Specialist De La Paz was
assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd
Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, CO. He was
from Riverside, CA.
SGT Jose Regalado, 23, died November 12 in Mosul, Iraq, when an Iraqi
Army soldier wearing a uniform approached him and opened fire. Sergeant
Regalado was assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry
Regiment, Fort Hood, TX. He was from Los Angeles, CA.
CPL Aaron M. Allen, 24, died November 14 while supporting combat
operations in Anbar Province, Iraq. Corporal Allen was assigned to 1st
Battalion, 4th Marines, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, CA. He was
from Buellton, CA.
I would also like to pay tribute to the 29 soldiers from California
who have died while serving our country in Operation Enduring Freedom
since April 16.
Senior Airman Jonathan A.V. Yelner, 24, died April 29 near Bagram,
Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered an
improvised explosive device. Senior Airman Yelner was assigned to the
28th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Ellsworth Air Force Base, South
Dakota. He was from Lafayette, CA.
SFC David L. McDowell, 30, died on April 29, in Bastion, Afghanistan,
of injuries sustained when he received small arms fire. Sergeant First
Class McDowell was assigned to C Company, 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger
Regiment, Fort Lewis, WA. He was from Ramona, CA.
SPC Christopher Gathercole, 21, died May 26 in Ghazni, Afghanistan,
of wounds suffered from small arms fire during combat operations.
Specialist Gathercole was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger
Regiment, Fort Lewis, WA. He was from Santa Rosa, CA.
PFC Chad M. Trimble, 29, died May 28, near Gardez, Afghanistan, of
wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive
device. Private First Class Trimble was assigned to the 1st Squadron,
61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne
Division, Air Assault, Fort Campbell, KY. He was from West Covina, CA.
SFC David Nunez, 27, died May 29 in Shewan, Afghanistan, of wounds
suffered when he encountered small arms fire while conducting combat
operations. Sergeant First Class Nunez was assigned to the 3rd
Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group, Fort Bragg, NC. He was from Los
Angeles, CA.
PFC Michael Robert Patton, 19, died June 14 while supporting combat
operations in Farah Province, Afghanistan. Private First Class Patton
was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, I
Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, CA.
PFC Dawid Pietrek, 24, died June 14 while supporting combat
operations in Farah Province, Afghanistan. Private First Class Pietrek
was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, I
Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, CA.
LCpl Layton Bradly Crass, 22, died June 14 while supporting combat
operations in Farah Province, Afghanistan. Lance Corporal Crass was
assigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, I Marine
Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, CA.
SGT Michael Toussiant-Hyle Washington, 20, died June 14 while
supporting combat operations in Farah Province, Afghanistan. Sergeant
Washington was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine
Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, CA.
Hospitalman Marc A. Retmier, 19, died June 18 as a result of wounds
suffered from an enemy rocket attack in northern Paktika Province,
Afghanistan. Hospitalman Retmier was assigned to Provincial
Reconstruction Team Sharana in Afghanistan. He was from Hemet, CA.
[[Page S10714]]
LCpl Andrew Francis Whitacre, 21, died June 19 while conducting
combat operations in Farah Province, Afghanistan. Lance Corporal
Whitacre was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine
Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, CA.
CPT Eric Daniel Terhune, 34, died June 19 while conducting combat
operations in Farah Province, Afghanistan. Captain Terhune was assigned
to 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine
Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, CA.
Hospitalman Dustin Kelby Burnett, 19, died June 20 while conducting
combat operations in Farah Province, Afghanistan. Hospitalman Burnett
was assigned to First Marine Division Detachment, Twentynine Palms, CA.
SGT Matthew E. Mendoza, 24, died June 20 while conducting combat
operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Sergeant Mendoza was
assigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I
Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, CA.
SGT Ryan J. Connolly, 24, died June 24 in Khogyani, Afghanistan, of
wounds suffered when his vehicle struck a suspected landmine. Sergeant
Connolly was assigned to the 173rd Special Troops Battalion, 173rd
Airborne Brigade Combat Team, Bamberg, Germany. He was from Vacaville,
CA.
SSGT Christopher D. Strickland, 25, died June 25, while supporting
combat operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Staff Sergeant
Strickland was assigned to 1st Marine Logistics Group, I Marine
Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, CA.
SGT James M. Treber, 24, died June 29 in Khosrow-E Sofla,
Afghanistan, from injuries sustained when his vehicle rolled into a
canal. Sergeant Treber was assigned to 1st Battalion, 7th Special
Forces Group, Airborne, Fort Bragg, NC. He was from Imperial Beach, CA.
SGT Israel Garcia, 24, died July 13 in Wanat, Afghanistan, of wounds
suffered when his outpost was attacked by small arms fire and rocket
propelled grenades from enemy forces. Sergeant Garcia was assigned to
the 2nd Battalion, 503d Infantry Regiment, Airborne, 173rd Airborne
Brigade Combat Team, Vicenza, Italy. He was from Long Beach, CA.
PFC Ivan I. Wilson, 22, died July 21 while supporting combat
operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Private First Class Wilson
was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, I
Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, CA. He was from
Clearlake, CA.
PFC Jair De Jesus Garcia, 29, died August 1 in Chowkay Valley,
Afghanistan, from wounds sustained when his vehicle encountered an
improvised explosive device. Private First Class Garcia was assigned to
the 6th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st
Infantry Division, Fort Hood, TX. He was from Chatsworth, CA.
LCpl Jacob J. Toves, 27, died August 14 while supporting combat
operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Lance Corporal Toves was
assigned to the 3rd Combat Engineer Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III
Marine Expeditionary Force, Okinawa, Japan. He was from Grover Beach,
CA.
SPC Marques I. Knight, 24, died September 6 in Aliabad, Afghanistan,
of wounds suffered when he received small arms fire while on dismounted
patrol. Specialist Knight was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 26th
Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort
Hood, TX. He was from San Juan Capistrano, CA.
SGT Jerome C. Bell Jr., 29, died September 19 while supporting combat
operations in Farah Province, Afghanistan. Sergeant Bell was assigned
to 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine
Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, CA.
CPT Bruno G. Desolenni, 32, died September 20 in Kandahar,
Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when an improvised explosive device
detonated near his vehicle. Captain Desolenni was assigned to the Joint
Forces Headquarters, Element Training Team, Oregon Army National Guard.
He was from Crescent City, CA.
Cpl Jason A. Karella, 20, died October 9 while supporting combat
operations in Farah Province, Afghanistan. Corporal Karella was
assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine
Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, CA.
SGT Federico G. Borjas, 33, died October 16 in Bermel District
Center, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered from small arms fire during a
dismounted patrol. Sergeant Borjas was assigned to 416th Civil Affairs
Battalion, 351st Civil Affairs Command, San Diego, CA. He was from San
Diego, CA.
LCpl San Sim, 23, died October 22 while supporting combat operations
in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Lance Corporal Sim was assigned to
1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary
Force, Twentynine Palms, CA. He was from Santa Ana, CA.
Cpl Adrian Robles, 21, died October 22 while supporting combat
operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Corporal Robles was
assigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I
Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, CA.
1LT Trevor J. Yurista, 32, died October 27 while supporting combat
operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. First Lieutenant Yurista
was assigned to 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine
Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, CA.
Staff Sergeant Timothy H. Walker
Mr. SALAZAR. Mr. President, it is with a heavy heart that I rise
today to honor the life and heroic service of SSG Timothy H. Walker.
Staff Sergeant Walker, a member of the 4th Infantry Division at Fort
Carson, was killed in Sadr City, Iraq on November 8, 2008, when an
improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. He was 38 years
old.
A native of Tennessee, Staff Sergeant Walker joined the Army in 1990.
He served in Bosnia from 1999 to 2000, Kuwait in 2001, and also served
two tours of duty in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. During his
most recent deployment, Staff Sergeant Walker, a combat medic himself,
was actively involved in training Iraqis to treat combat wounds on the
battlefield, and he served as the medical material coordinator for the
Iraqi Security Forces logistics coordination team, which teaches Iraqi
police officers and soldiers how to track and receive medical supplies.
Throughout his 18 years of service, and in every capacity, Staff
Sergeant Walker distinguished himself through his courage, his
dedication to duty, and his willingness to take on any challenge--no
matter how dangerous, no matter how big or small. His extraordinary
bravery and talent earned him more than 20 awards and medals, including
the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, and the Meritorious Service Medal.
Staff Sergeant Walker is remembered by those who knew him as a
consummate professional and friend who they could turn to in times of
need, and who they could always count on to raise their spirits in
times of sadness. They recall his knack for giving people nicknames,
and the infectiousness of his laughter. And, most of all, they remember
his devotion to his wife and children, and to his country.
The Greek historian Thucydides wrote that ``the bravest are surely
those who have the clearest vision of what is before them, glory and
danger alike, and yet notwithstanding, go out to meet it.'' Throughout
our Nation's history, the bravest have gone out to meet every danger
that has imperiled our way of life. They stormed the beaches of
Normandy and Iwo Jima facing long odds, and now, in 2008, they traverse
the mountains of Afghanistan and navigate the cities of Iraq under
constant threat of insurgent attacks. The bravest have kept us safe and
strong. They will always make us proud.
Staff Sergeant Walker's service was in keeping with this American
tradition. At substantial personal risk, he braved the chaos of combat
zones throughout the world to attend to the injuries of his men. And
though their fate on the battlefield was uncertain, his men knew that,
in Staff Sergeant Walker, they were in good hands. For the lives he
saved, and for the lives he touched, Staff Sergeant Walker will be
forever remembered as one of the bravest.
To Staff Sergeant Walker's mother Barbara, his father Wayne, his wife
Dawn, his children Gregory and Madison, his sister Shelly, and all his
friends and family, I cannot imagine the sorrow you must be feeling. I
hope that, in time, the pain of your loss is
[[Page S10715]]
assuaged by your pride in Tim's service to his country and by your
knowledge that his country will never forget him. We are humbled by his
service and his sacrifice.
Sergeant Jon L. Stiles
Mr. President, it is with a heavy heart that I rise today to honor
the life and heroic service of Sergeant Jon L. Stiles. Sergeant Stiles,
assigned to the 927th Engineer Company, 769th Engineer Battalion, was
killed on November 13, 2008, when an improvised explosive device
detonated near his patrol in Shubhuyan, Afghanistan. He was 38 years
old.
Sergeant Stiles grew up in Highlands Ranch, CO, and after graduating
from high school, spent nearly 13 years in the U.S. Marine Corps and 2
years in the Army. Two years following his discharge, he moved back to
Colorado, joined the Colorado National Guard, and was deployed to
Afghanistan, where he worked to clear transportation routes of IEDs and
insurgents in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
This past October, Sergeant Stiles saved the lives of three fellow
soldiers when he rescued them from underneath a burning vehicle that
was struck by a suicide bomber, an act of incredible bravery that
earned him the Bronze Star. He suffered serious damage to his lungs and
vocal chords as a result of this incident, but instead of taking
medical leave, he insisted on returning to battle. He believed strongly
in our mission in Afghanistan, cared deeply for his men, and wanted to
make a difference.
Sergeant Stiles' friends and family remember him as a soldier's
soldier with a passion for military service in his DNA. He was an avid
outdoorsman known to brave sub-zero temperatures to get in a day of
fishing. He was generous with hugs and incredibly loyal to his friends.
He was a loving husband who wanted to live peacefully with his wife in
the mountains of Colorado. And he was a proud American willing to
sacrifice everything in defense of the country he held dear.
Adlai Stevenson once asked, ``what do we mean by patriotism in the
context of our times? I venture to suggest that what we mean is a sense
of national responsibility . . . a patriotism which is not short,
frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication
of a lifetime.'' Sergeant Stiles felt this sense of responsibility at a
young age and served with the steady dedication that reminds us of what
it is to be a true patriot. In his memory, and with his inspiration,
may we all continue to work to make our union more perfect, and our
world safer for all.
To Sergeant Stiles' mother Linda, his father Lynn, his wife Launa,
his sister Natalie, his brother Charles, his grandparents Maxine and
Kenney, and all his friends and family, I cannot imagine the sorrow you
must be feeling. I hope that, in time, the pain of your loss is
assuaged by your pride in Jon's service to his country and by your
knowledge that his country will never forget him. We are humbled by his
service and his sacrifice.
SPECIALIST JAMES CLAY
Mr. PRYOR. Mr. President, Arkansas is grieving for a young hero, a
courageous soldier who was serving in Iraq as a member of the 224th
Maintenance Company. This team keeps our troops safe and their
equipment and vehicles running. It is a mission paramount to our
soldiers' success.
A member of the National Guard for almost 7 years, SPC James Clay of
Mountain Home, AR, showed great commitment and patriotism throughout
his assignment with the 2nd Battalion, 153rd Infantry Regiment, 39th
Brigade Combat team. Of his service, MG William Wofford, adjutant
general of the Arkansas National Guard recalls, ``He was called to
serve, and he answered that call with valiant service. He was a true
patriot and will not soon be forgotten.''
Specialist Clay's untimely death has brought me to the Senate floor
today, but I want to take a minute to honor his life. He overcame major
obstacles in his personal life, including the death of both his
parents, yet he graduated from Cotter High School in 2002 where
teachers describe him as outstanding, considerate, and spirited.
Friends remember Specialist Clay as a role model who persevered with
dignity and humanity. Everyone who knew this young hero recalled his
great smile and his compassion for others. It is no surprise that he
died fighting for the peace and security of others.
My prayers go out to Specialist Clay's family and friends,
particularly his high school sweetheart and wife, Mellissa Clay. During
his second Inaugural Address, Abraham Lincoln pledged, ``to care for
him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his
orphans.'' Mrs. Clay, we will never forget the sacrifice of your loved
one, and we work to honor his memory, courage, and service to our great
Nation.
Corporal Adrian Robles
Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. Mr. President, I rise today to honor Marine
Cpl Adrian Robles, who was killed in action in Afghanistan on October
22, 2008.
Corporal Robles, who was a native of Scottsbluff, NE, was assigned to
the Second Battalion, 7th Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine
Expeditionary Force, based at Twentynine Palms, CA. He had worked his
whole life to become a marine. At age 16, Corporal Robles told his
parents about his plans to enlist and, at 17, asked that they sign
forms which would allow him to join before his 18th birthday. His
parents told him to wait, so he finished high school and then enlisted
immediately.
Corporal Robles had previously served in Operation Iraqi Freedom in
2006, and was on a tour serving in Afghanistan at the time of his
death. Corporal Robles received three good conduct medals--an unusual
achievement for such a young marine--as well as medals for his service
in Iraq and Afghanistan. He served as a rifleman, the backbone of the
Marine Corps. Originally deployed to help train Afghan Army recruits,
his unit's mission changed as the security situation deteriorated; and
Corporal. Robles was ``in the fight'' right to the end.
Fully aware of the dangers he faced, Corporal Robles made the
courageous choice to serve his country and help the people of Iraq and
Afghanistan achieve peace and security. He made the ultimate sacrifice
so that others might enjoy the freedoms he had known all his life.
Corporal Robles represents all that we have to be proud of in our
Armed Forces. I commend his bravery and selflessness while offering my
deepest condolences to the family members he left behind. It is small
comfort for those who must now go on without one they loved so dearly,
but they know that Corporal Robles gave his life for a noble goal. I
join all Nebraskans--indeed, all Americans--in mourning the loss of
such a fine young man.
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