[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 103 (Tuesday, July 12, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Page S4515]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES
Sergeant First Class Terryl L. Pasker
Mr. GRASSLEY. Madam President, the State of Iowa has lost one of its
native sons, and the Nation has lost a true patriot. SFC Terryl L.
Pasker from Cedar Rapids, IA, was shot and killed in Panjshir Province,
Afghanistan, while serving with the Iowa National Guard in support of
Operation Enduring Freedom. He was 39 years old and was just completing
his second tour in Afghanistan. My thoughts and prayers are with his
wife Erica, his parents Mary and David, and those who knew him and
cared about him. Terryl Pasker is described as an upbeat, religious
man. He was known as a hard worker and he owned a contracting business
in his civilian life. The loss of someone in their prime, with a bright
future and a whole life left to live is a tragic thing. It gives us
pause to reflect on the tremendous sacrifice we ask of our
servicemembers, and have since the first minutemen rallied at Lexington
and Concord. I would like to pay tribute to the life and service of SFC
Terryl Pasker and ask that my colleagues join me in honoring his
memory.
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