[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 28 (Tuesday, March 2, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Pages S937-S938]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES


                    Lance Corporal Joshua Birchfield

  Mr. BAYH. Madam President, I rise with a heavy heart to honor the 
life of Marine LCpl Joshua Birchfield from Westville, IN. Joshua was 24 
years old when he lost his life on February 19 while serving in 
Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He was assigned 
to the 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I 
Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, CA.
  Today, I join family and friends in mourning his death. Joshua will 
forever be remembered as a loving son and a friend to many. He is 
survived by his parents, Bruce Birchfield and Michelle ``Shelley'' 
Hacker; his grandmother, Frances Birchfield of La Porte; two sisters, 
Rachael and Emily Birchfield, both of Westville; his stepfather, Ron 
Hacker, stepgrandparents, Howard and Martha Hacker, and step-great-
grandmother, Mary Dickinson, all of Westville; and countless family and 
friends who were privileged to know him.
  Joshua was a Westville native. Prior to entering the service in 2008, 
Joshua graduated from Westville High School in 2004. A talented 
athlete, Joshua excelled at baseball in high school. Friends remember 
Joshua's contagious passion for life.
  Joshua served as a rifleman and was awarded the Purple Heart, the 
Combat Action Ribbon, the National Defense Service Medal, the 
Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, 
the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, and the NATO Medal.
  While we struggle to express our sorrow over this loss, we can take 
pride in the example Joshua set as a marine, a son, and a brother. 
Today and always he will be remembered by family, friends, and fellow 
Hoosiers as a true American hero. We cherish the legacy of his service 
and his life.
  As I search for words to honor this fallen marine, I recall President 
Lincoln's words to 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.''
  It is my sad duty to enter the name of Joshua Birchfield 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 Joshua's family finds 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 Joshua.


                     CORPORAL GREGORY SCOTT STULTZ

  Madam President, I further rise today with a heavy heart to honor the 
life of Marine Cpl Gregory Scott Stultz of Brazil, IN. Greg was 22 
years old when he lost his life on February 19 while serving bravely in 
Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
  I join Greg's family and friends in mourning his death. Greg will be 
remembered as a loving son and a friend to many. He is survived by his 
mother Kim Stultz, and Kevin Jackson of Brazil; his father, Bill 
Stultz, Jr., of Spencer, IN; his brothers, Zach Stultz and Jeremiah 
Jackson of Brazil; his sisters, Jessie Stultz, Miriah Stultz, Haley 
Stultz, and Sienna Jackson, all of Brazil; and countless family and 
friends who were privileged to know him.
  Greg was a Brazil native and graduated from Northview High School in 
2006. He was a member of the football team and captain of the wrestling 
team, and his athletic talent allowed him to attend Rend Lake Junior 
College on a wrestling scholarship. Greg actively participated in 
ministry at House of Hope in Brazil alongside his father and his 
brother Zach.
  Corporal Stultz entered the Marine Corps in November of 2007 and 
became a decorated Recon Marine. He was awarded the Sea Service 
Deployment Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Medal, the National 
Defense Medal, and a Meritorious Mast certificate for his outstanding 
service.
  While we struggle to express our sorrow over this loss, we can take 
pride in the example Greg set as a marine, a son, and a brother. Today 
and always he will be remembered by family, friends and fellow Hoosiers 
as a true American hero. We cherish the legacy of his service and his 
life.
  As I search for words to honor this fallen marine, I recall President 
Lincoln's words to the families of soldiers who lost their lives at 
Gettysburg: ``We cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate, we cannot 
hallow this ground. The

[[Page S938]]

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.''
  It is my sad duty to enter the name of Gregory Scott Stultz 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 Greg's family finds 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 Greg.


                        Sergeant Jeremy McQueary

  Madam President, I also rise with a heavy heart to honor the life of 
Marine Sgt Jeremy McQueary from Columbus, IN. Jeremy was 27 years old 
when he lost his life on February 19th in combat while serving in 
Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He was assigned 
to the 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine 
Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, NC.
  Today, I join family and friends in mourning his death. Jeremy will 
forever be remembered as a loving husband, father, son, brother and a 
friend to many. He is survived by his wife Rae McQueary of Brown County 
and their 5-month-old son Hadley as well as his mother, Deborah 
Kleinschmidt, his stepfather, David Kleinschmidt, and his sister 
Rebecca Willison.
  Jeremy was a Columbus native. Prior to entering the Marine Corps in 
January 2002, Jeremy graduated from Columbus East High School. His 
mother said he loved fishing, four-wheeling and his family.
  Jeremy earned a Purple Heart after surviving a roadside bomb attack 
in Iraq. He nonetheless chose to return to combat after the incident, 
which speaks volumes about his courage.
  While we struggle to express our sorrow over this loss, we can take 
pride in the example Jeremy set as a marine, a husband, a father, a 
son, and a brother. Today and always he will be remembered by family, 
friends, and fellow Hoosiers as a true American hero. We cherish the 
legacy of his service and his life.
  As I search for words to honor this fallen marine, I recall President 
Lincoln's words to 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.''
  It is my sad duty to enter the name of Jeremy McQueary 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 Jeremy's family finds 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 Jeremy.

                          ____________________