[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 96 (Thursday, June 30, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4286-S4287]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES


                 Chief Warrant Officer Kenneth R. White

  Mr. BENNET. Mr. President, today we honor the life and heroic 
sacrifice of CWO Kenneth R. White of Fort Collins, CO. He died on June 
5, 2011, in Khost Province, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when his 
helicopter crashed during combat. He was 35 years old.
  Chief Warrant Officer White's family remembers him as a wonderful man 
of God, an extraordinary husband, and a loving father to his three 
children. He was a respectful and courageous friend, who demonstrated 
those attributes in abundance as a successful officer.
  After joining the Army in 1994, Chief Warrant Officer White grew in 
his career and attended warrant officer flight training in 2002. He 
fought bravely during two tours in Iraq and one in Afghanistan. Most 
recently, he served in support of Operation Enduring Freedom as a 
member of the 1st Battalion, 10th Aviation Regiment, 10th Aviation 
Combat Brigade, 10th Mountain Division based at Fort Drum, NY.
  His bravery and outstanding service quickly won the recognition of 
his commanders. Chief Warrant Officer White earned, among other 
distinctions, the Bronze Star Medal, the Air Medal, the Army 
Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the National Defense 
Service Medal with Bronze Service Star, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal 
with Bronze Service Star, the Iraq Campaign Medal with Bronze Service 
Star, and two Global War on Terrorism Service Medals.
  Mark Twain once said, ``The fear of death follows from the fear of 
life. A

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man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.'' Chief Warrant 
Officer White'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.
  I stand with people in Colorado and nationwide in profound gratitude 
for Chief Warrant Officer White's tremendous sacrifice. At substantial 
personal risk, he fought in Afghanistan with unwavering courage to 
protect America's citizens and the freedoms we hold dear. For his 
service and the lives he touched, Chief Warrant Officer White will 
forever be remembered as one of our country's bravest.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Chief Warrant Officer 
White's parents, John and Linda, his wife Sarah, their three children, 
and his entire family, who carry on his memory and will forever remind 
us of his sacrifice.

                          ____________________