[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 97 (Thursday, June 25, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S7062]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES


                 Specialist Chancellor Arsenio Keesling

  Mr. BAYH. Mr. President, I rise today with a heavy heart to honor the 
life of Army SPC Chancellor Arsenio Keesling, from Indianapolis, IN. 
Chancellor was 25 years old when he lost his life on June 19, 2009, in 
Baghdad, Iraq. He was a member of the 961st Engineer Company of the 
U.S. Army Reserve, based in Sharonville, OH.
  Today, I join Chancellor's family and friends in mourning his death. 
Chancellor, who was known to his friends and family as Chancy, will 
forever be remembered as a loving brother, son and friend to many. He 
is survived by his parents Gregg and Jannett Keesling; his brother 
O'Neil; his sister Tiana; his grandparents Gary and Gwen Keesling and 
Terrence and Barbara Fowle; and a host of other friends and family 
members.
  Chancellor, a graduate of Lawrence North High School in Indianapolis, 
enlisted in the Army following his graduation in 2003. He served his 
first tour of duty in Iraq as a combat engineer assigned to a company 
based at Fort Sill in Lawton, OK. He was redeployed to Iraq in May 2009 
with the 961st Engineer Company for a second tour of duty.
  Chancellor had been home just a few weeks ago to celebrate his 25th 
birthday with family and friends. A native of Jamaica, where he lived 
until he was 12 years old, he had a particular passion for soccer and 
reggae music. He planned on going into the construction business once 
his military career was complete.
  While we struggle to express our sorrow over this loss, we can take 
pride in the example Chancellor set as a soldier and patriot. Today and 
always, he will be remembered by family and friends as a true American 
hero, and we cherish the legacy of his service and his life.
  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 Chancellor's heroism and memory 
will outlive the record of the words here spoken.
  It is my sad duty to enter the name of Army SPC Chancellor Arsenio 
Keesling in the 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 Chancellor'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 Chancellor.

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