[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 139 (Monday, September 19, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5708-S5709]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES

  Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, in the decade that has passed since the 
devastating attacks of 9/11, we have seen enormous changes in our daily 
lives. For many of us, these changes have become routine. We have 
become more alert to potential suspicious activities, accustomed to 
additional screening procedures at airports, and understand the need 
for additional security precautions in places that could be seen as 
potential targets for terrorists. For many other Americans, though, 
their lives were altered in ways that are anything but routine. These 
are the families, friends, and brothers in arms of those who have given 
their lives in the global war on terror, including the over 3,000 lives 
taken in the horrific attacks on our Nation on September 11, 2001.
  This past Sunday was a somber day to reflect, remember, and honor the 
lives that have been cut short by terror. On Sunday morning, I spoke at 
my church about the impact 9/11 had on me personally and us 
collectively as a nation. It is important to take the time in the 
Senate Chamber to remember these brave heroes. We all remember where we 
were at the time the planes struck the towers and the awful feeling 
when we realized this was not an accident. We remember the emotional 
outpouring our Nation shared and how the tragedy brought us all closer 
together. What happened after the moments of devastation on September 
11, 2001, unified our Nation and demonstrated the perseverance and the 
will of the American people.
  We remember the people who refused to leave an injured coworker and 
those who led others to safety. We remember the firefighters, the 
policemen, and all the first responders who saved lives that day, many 
of whom gave their

[[Page S5709]]

lives in doing so. We remember the heroes at the World Trade Center, 
the Pentagon, and the brave passengers of Flight 93. We also remember 
all the brave service men and women who fought and continue to fight to 
keep us free. They do so by choice. They do so out of love of country, 
and they do so to protect our Nation, our freedom, and our values.
  Since the 9/11 attacks, thousands of Arkansans have been deployed to 
far regions of the globe to fight terrorism. The Arkansas National 
Guard, which has historically been a reserve unit, has taken on a more 
active-duty role in the war on terror. Units from the Arkansas National 
Guard have played a vital role in the war on terror with deployments to 
Afghanistan and Iraq, and some units having served multiple tours on 
the battlefront. American's military personnel and veterans of the 
global war on terror can be proud of all they have accomplished. Their 
continued efforts brought Osama bin Laden, the mastermind behind these 
attacks, to justice, along with a number of his top lieutenants and 
numerous Taliban commanders. They continue to battle bin Laden's 
fanatical followers and protect us from those who remain committed to 
inflicting harm on the United States.

  Many of the veterans from the global war on terror have returned home 
with permanent, life-altering injuries. We have worked hard in this 
body and in the House to ensure that they and all the veterans of this 
war receive all the care and benefits they have earned and deserve upon 
their return. We must continue to uphold our promise to our veterans. 
We must also continue to ensure that our military personnel on the 
battlefield have everything they need to successfully accomplish the 
mission and to return home safely.
  According to the U.S. Central Command, more than 6,200 servicemembers 
have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms in Operations Iraqi 
Freedom and Enduring Freedom. Each one is a portrait of bravery. Navy 
Corpsman Michael Vann Johnson, Jr., a native of Little Rock, was the 
first Arkansan killed on the battlefield in the global war on terror. 
He was killed by selflessly tending to wounded colleagues in Iraq. 
Since his death, another 101 Arkansans have given their lives for our 
country in the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. This year alone, we 
have lost five servicemembers from Arkansas.
  At the beginning of the year, SGT Ethan C. Hardin was killed in 
action in the Logar Province of Afghanistan. He was killed when 
insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. 
Sergeant Hardin was 25 at the time of his death. Sergeant Hardin grew 
up in Fayetteville, AR, and was remembered by his high school principal 
as a young man with a ``pleasant, likable, gentle personality.'' His 
pastor echoed those thoughts, calling Sergeant Hardin a ``warrior'' who 
was motivated to take up arms for his country not out of any 
hostilities toward the enemy but, rather, out of a strong desire to 
keep our country safe.
  Less than a week after the death of Sergeant Hardin, SGT Zainah C. 
Creamer was killed in the Kandahar Province of Afghanistan when 
insurgents attacked her unit with an IED. Sergeant Creamer was born in 
Texarkana, TX, and graduated from Arkansas High School in Texarkana, 
AR. She was 28 at the time of her death. Sergeant Creamer's friends and 
family say they will remember her lovely singing voice and her love of 
country, friends, family, and fellow soldiers, including her K-9 
partner Jofa. A soldier for more than 6 years, Sergeant Creamer was 
assigned to the 212th Military Police Detachment as an Army dog 
handler. She and her K-9 partner were assigned to check vehicles and 
facilities for explosives and were carrying out a routine clearance 
mission when the blast occurred.
  In March, another IED attack in the Kandahar Province once again 
impacted Arkansas. Army CPL Loren Buffalo of Mountain Pine, AR, was 
only 20 years old when insurgents took his life. Corporal Buffalo was 
carrying on the family tradition of military service. His father and 
his uncle served in the Army and his great-grandfather was a B-17 
bomber pilot during World War II. His father says Corporal Buffalo was 
a dedicated military man who loved music, liked to hunt and ride 
horses.
  Last month, two Arkansans were among the 30 U.S. servicemembers 
killed when their Chinook helicopter was shot down in the Wardak 
Province of Afghanistan. The Taliban claim responsibility for the 
attack, which resulted in one of the greatest losses of U.S. military 
lives in a single incident in the decade-long war in Afghanistan. Most 
of those killed in the attack were U.S. Special Forces personnel.
  Navy Special Warfare Operator Senior Chief Petty Officer Thomas A. 
Ratzlaff of Green Forest, AR, was one of those Special Forces officers 
killed in the attack. Senior Chief Ratzlaff graduated from Green Forest 
High School in 1995 and immediately enlisted in the Navy to begin the 
process of achieving his lifelong dream of becoming a Navy SEAL. 
According to the Green Forest mayor Charlie Reece, Senior Chief 
Ratzlaff developed a reputation as one of the most highly decorated 
officers in his elite unit, but humbly remained grounded. The mayor 
called him a ``high-class young man.'' Senior Chief Ratzlaff was 34 at 
the time of his death.
  Air Force Tech SGT John W. Brown of Siloam Springs, AR, was also 
killed in that attack. An accomplished athlete in his youth, Sergeant 
Brown played football and basketball. He went to John Brown University 
on a swimming scholarship. In Siloam Springs, he was known for his 
positive attitude, his intelligence, and his sense of humor. After 
seeing a video of a special operations unit, he abandoned plans to 
become a nurse anesthetist and enlisted in the Air Force where he was 
assigned to the elite 24th Special Tactics Squadron at Pope Field, NC. 
He was 33 at the time of his death.
  This is something we need to remember not just on anniversary dates 
but at all times. It should serve as the ultimate reminder that we in 
this Chamber have an obligation to come together and to make this 
country a better place.
  I ask my colleagues in the Senate to join me in honoring their lives 
and their legacy, as well as the sacrifice of all who have fought and 
died in Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and 
Operation New Dawn. Let us never forget their sacrifices and let their 
legacies be an inspiration for every American.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from Michigan.
  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, are we in morning business?
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. We are.

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