[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 37 (Tuesday, March 3, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S2688]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES


                     Corporal Zachary Ray Nordmeyer

  Mr. BAYH. Madam President, I rise today with a heavy heart to honor 
the life of CPL Zachary Ray Nordmeyer from Indianapolis, IN. Zachary 
was 21 years old when he lost his life on February 23, 2009, from 
injuries sustained when he and others came under attack from small-arms 
fire in Balad, Iraq. He was a member of the 5th Squadron, 1st Cavalry 
Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division of 
Fort Wainwright, AK.
  Zachary, a graduate of the JROTC program at Ben Davis High School in 
Indianapolis, joined the Army in July 2007 and was sent to Iraq in 
September for a 12-month tour. He was an avid sports fan, playing 
football and baseball at Ben Davis and never missing an opportunity to 
watch his favorite NASCAR driver, Jeff Gordon, in action. He was a 
member of Lakeview Church and Harmony Baptist Church, and also enjoyed 
fishing, hunting, and spending time with his family and friends.
  Today, I join Zachary's family and friends in mourning his death. 
Zachary will forever be remembered as a loving brother, son, grandson, 
and friend to many. Zachary is survived by his fiancee, Chrissy Purdy; 
father, Michael Nordmeyer; step-parents, Kevin and Cindy Bereman; 
brothers, Josh and David Nordmeyer; step-sisters, Rachel Klop, Kendra 
Gregg, and Karen Piehl; step-brother, Kristopher Bereman; grandparents, 
Nancy and Bill Harman, Tim and Susan Fair; grandfather, Paul Nordmeyer; 
grandmother, Marilyn Fair; great-grandparents, Herman and Evona Fair; 
aunts and uncles, Tom and Mindy Nordmeyer, Brian and Stephanie 
Nordmeyer, Brad and Kim Nordmeyer; uncles, Kevin and Brandon Fair and 
Steven Harman; aunt, Stephanie Harman; many nieces and nephews; and a 
host of other friends and relatives. Zachary was preceded in death by 
his mother, Kimberly Bereman; and great-grandparents, Lester and Elenor 
Baker, George and Eve Nordmeyer, and Paul and Dorothy Fisher.
  While we struggle to express our sorrow over this loss, we can take 
pride in the example Zachary set as a soldier. Today and always, 
Zachary will be remembered by family, friends, and fellow Hoosiers as a 
true American hero, and we cherish the sacrifice he made while 
dutifully serving his country.
  As I search for words to do justice to this valiant fallen soldier, I 
recall President Abraham Lincoln's words as he addressed the families 
of soldiers who died at Gettysburg:

       We cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate, we cannot hallow 
     this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled 
     here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or 
     detract. The world will little note nor long remember what we 
     say here, but it can never forget what they did here.

  This statement is just as true today as it was nearly 150 years ago, 
as we can take some measure of solace in knowing that Zachary's heroism 
and memory will outlive the record of the words here spoken.
  It is my sad duty to enter the name of Zachary Nordmeyer in the 
official Record of the U.S. Senate for his service to this country and 
for his profound commitment to freedom, democracy, and peace. I pray 
that Zachary's family can find comfort in the words of the prophet 
Isaiah who said:

       He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will 
     wipe away tears from off all faces.

  May God grant strength and peace to those who mourn, and may God be 
with all of you, as I know He is with Zachary.

                          ____________________