[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 150 (Wednesday, November 17, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Page S7948]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES


                     Staff Sergeant Ingles DosReis

  Mr. LAUTENBERG. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the life of SSG 
Ingles DosReis, who was tragically killed on August 28, 2009, while 
serving at Aviano Air Base in Italy.
  Staff Sergeant DosReis enlisted in the Air Force in February 2005, 
immediately following his graduation from high school. He was a member 
of the 51st Security Forces Squadron stationed out of Osan Air Base in 
South Korea from August 2005 until August 2006. He was subsequently 
transferred to the 31st Security Forces Squadron at Aviano Air Base, 
where he started as an installation entry controller. He deployed to 
Iraq in August 2007 and received the Army Achievement Medal for his 
service. Staff Sergeant DosReis served in Iraq until February 2008 and 
upon his return he became a certified desk sergeant at Aviano Air Base. 
He was posthumously promoted by the Air Force to the permanent grade of 
staff sergeant in August 2009.
  Staff Sergeant DosReis' family fondly remembers him as an intelligent 
and kindhearted man and a loving husband to his wife Katherine and 
father to his son Christian. A great athlete, Staff Sergeant DosReis 
spent much of his childhood playing basketball and had a passion for 
sports. He was also a natural student, earning honors in high school 
and later going on to take classes at the Community College of the Air 
Force with a major in political science.
  Over a year has passed since SSG Ingles DosReis was tragically taken 
from those who love him. Today, I join Staff Sergeant DosReis' family 
and friends in commemorating his life by entering his name in the 
Record. As a member of the Air Force, he showed his loyalty and 
commitment to freedom and peace and today we honor his service and 
sacrifice for our country.


                   Lance Corporal Irvin M. Ceniceros

  Mrs. LINCOLN. Mr. President, today I honor of LCpl Irvin M. 
Ceniceros, 21, of Clarksville, who died on October 14, 2010, while 
supporting combat operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.
  My heart goes out to the family of Lance Corporal Ceniceros, who made 
the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of our Nation. Along with all 
Arkansans, I am grateful for his service and for the sacrifice he and 
his family have made. I am committed to ensuring that all of our 
veterans always have the full support they need and deserve, and I can 
assure our brave soldiers and their families that our grateful Nation 
will not forget them when their military service is complete.
  More than 11,000 Arkansans on active duty and more than 10,000 
Arkansas Reservists have served in Iraq or Afghanistan since September 
11, 2001. These men and women have shown tremendous courage and 
perseverance through the most difficult of times. As neighbors, as 
Arkansans, and as Americans, it is incumbent upon us to do everything 
we can to honor their service and to provide for them and their 
families, not only when they are in harm's way but also when they 
return home. It is the least we can do for those whom we owe so much.
  Lance Corporal Ceniceros was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine 
Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp 
Pendleton, CA.


                    Staff Sergeant Carlos A. Benitez

  Mr. BENNET. Mr. President, it is with a heavy heart that I rise today 
to honor the life and heroic service of SSG Carlos A. Benitez. Staff 
Sergeant Benitez, who was assigned to the 10th Cavalry Regiment, 4th 
Infantry Division, in Fort Carson, CO, died on October 14, 2010, from 
injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near 
his vehicle. Staff Sergeant Benitez was serving in support of Operation 
Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. He was 24 years old.
  A native of Carrollton, TX, Staff Sergeant Benitez graduated from 
Creekview High School and joined the Army in October 2004. He served 
three tours of duty: two in Iraq and one in Afghanistan--all with 
decoration. His wife and young daughter and son moved to Colorado for 
Staff Sergeant Benitez's most recent assignment.
  During 5 years of service, Staff Sergeant Benitez distinguished 
himself through his courage, dedication to duty, and willingness to 
take on any job. He was awarded numerous awards and medals, including 
two Army Commendation Medals, the Valorous Unit Award, the Army Good 
Conduct Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, and 
the Iraq Campaign Medal with four Campaign Stars.
  Staff Sergeant Benitez worked on the front lines of battle, serving 
in the most dangerous areas of Iraq and Afghanistan. He is remembered 
by those who knew him as a consummate professional with an unending 
commitment to excellence. Friends and loved ones remember his 
commitment to his wife. His mother, Imelda, remembers how her son 
wanted to enlist in the Army when he was just 17. She made him wait an 
extra year.
  Mark Twain once said, ``The fear of death follows from the fear of 
life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.'' Staff 
Sergeant Benitez's service was in keeping with this sentiment--by 
selflessly putting country first, he lived life to the fullest. He 
lived with a sense of the highest honorable purpose.
  At substantial personal risk, he braved the chaos of combat zones 
throughout Iraq and Afghanistan. And though his fate on the battlefield 
was uncertain, he pushed forward, protecting America's citizens, her 
safety, and the freedoms we hold dear. For his service and the lives he 
touched, Staff Sergeant Benitez will forever be remembered as one of 
our country's bravest.
  To Staff Sergeant Benitez's wife, their children, and his entire 
family--I cannot imagine the sorrow you must be feeling. I hope that, 
in time, the pain of your loss will be eased by your pride in Carlos's 
service and by your knowledge that his country will never forget him. 
We are humbled by his service and his sacrifice.

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