[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 126 (Monday, September 20, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7198-S7199]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES
Corporal John C. Bishop
Mr. BAYH. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the life of Corporal
John C. Bishop of the U.S. Marine Corps and Versailles, IN.
Corporal Bishop was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine
Regiment, 2nd Marine Division. He lost his life on September 8, 2010,
while serving bravely in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in
Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was serving his third tour of duty
and was 25 years old.
John graduated from Southwestern Shelby High School in 2003 and
immediately joined the Marines. John aspired to become a marine from a
young age, hoping to follow in the footsteps of his older brother
Tyson. Tyson joined the Marines in 1993, and each time he returned
home, John would climb into his older brother's Marine uniform.
Today, I join John's family and friends in mourning his tragic death.
He is survived by his wife Cristle Bishop, who is expecting their first
daughter in October; his son K'Sean Bishop; his mother Sarah Thomas;
his brothers William Bishop, Mike Bishop, Anthony Thomas, Eric Thomas,
Jamey Bishop, and Tyson Bishop; and his sisters Nancy Braley and Amy
Parker.
As we struggle to express our sorrow over this loss, we take pride in
the example of this American hero. We cherish the legacy of his service
and his life.
As I search for words to honor this fallen soldier, I recall
President Lincoln's words to the families of the fallen 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 CPL John C. Bishop in the
official Record of the U.S. Senate for his service to our country and
for his profound commitment to freedom, democracy and peace.
Staff Sergeant Phillip Chad Jenkins
Mr. President, I also rise today to honor the life of SSG Phillip
Chad Jenkins of the U.S. Army and Decatur, IN.
Staff Sergeant Jenkins was assigned to B Company, 1st Battalion, 27th
Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. He was only 26 years old
when he lost his life on September 7, 2010, while bravely serving
during his second tour of duty in support of Operation New Dawn in
Balad, Iraq. Staff Sergeant Jenkins' first tour was in support of
Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.
A Decatur native, Staff Sergeant Jenkins graduated from Bellmont High
School in 2002 and joined the army soon after. While in high school,
Staff Sergeant Jenkins enjoyed playing the saxophone in the school band
and worked at Scott's Food & Pharmacy.
Staff Sergeant Jenkins was a dedicated soldier who always went above
and beyond the call of duty. One of his fellow soldiers, Fritz
Bultemeyer, described Staff Sergeant Jenkins as ``a great American
fallen hero.''
Today, I join Staff Sergeant Jenkins' family and friends in mourning
his death. He is survived by his wife Melissa; his two daughters Piper
and Lindly; his mother and father Rose and David Jenkins; and his
sister Cassie Jenkins.
We take pride in the example of this dedicated soldier and great
American hero, even as we struggle to express our grief over this loss.
We cherish the legacy of his service and his life.
As I search for words to honor this fallen soldier, I recall
President Lincoln's words to the families of the fallen 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 SSG Phillip Chad Jenkins in
the official Record of the U.S. Senate for his service to our country
and for his profound commitment to freedom, democracy and peace.
Staff Sergeant Michael Bock
Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. Mr. President, I rise today to honor SSG
Michael Bock of Springfield, NE.
Sergeant Bock grew up in Springfield, attending Elkhorn Mount Michael
High School for 2 years before moving with his family to Leesburg, FL.
About a month after graduating from Leesburg High School in 2002,
Sergeant Bock joined the U.S. Marine Corps.
Marrying his high school sweetheart, Tiffany, in 2003, Sergeant Bock
was very much a family man. According to Tiffany, no matter what he was
doing or how long he was working, he would still call his family. He
even got up in the middle of the night recently while in Afghanistan to
get online and watch Zander, his 3-year-old son, blow out his birthday
candles.
Sergeant Bock was also very dedicated to his career in the Marine
Corps. He served two tours in Iraq and also served in Australia and
Indonesia, where he received a Marine Corps humanitarian ribbon for his
help during the tsunami recovery in 2004.
Sergeant Bock's goals of starting a college fund for his son and
purchasing a house for his family were interrupted on August 13, 2010.
He was on his second deployment in Afghanistan serving with the 3rd
Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary
Force when he was killed while supporting combat operations in the
Helmand province.
SSG Michael Bock knew the dangers he faced and the risks he took. He
also knew the importance of the work he did in the Marine Corps on
behalf of his fellow Americans. He risked--and ultimately sacrificed--
his own life so people a world away could have the chance to enjoy the
freedoms he had found in America. I join all Nebraskans in mourning the
loss of Sergeant Bock and in offering my deepest condolences to this
young hero's family.
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