[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 153 (Thursday, October 13, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6480-S6481]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES


                    Master Sergeant Christian Riege

  Mr. JOHANNS. Mr. President, I rise today to remember a fallen hero, 
U.S. Army National Guard Master Sergeant Christian Riege. He and two 
fellow officers were killed when a gunman opened fire at a Carson City 
International House of Pancakes on September 6, 2011. This was a tragic 
event. It ultimately took the lives of four people and left hollow 
hearts from Nevada to Nebraska, where his father and mother and several 
relatives live.
  Master Sergeant Riege enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1992. As a career 
noncommissioned officer, Chris spent much of his time in uniform 
training young soldiers. He entered the Nebraska National Guard after 
his service in the Navy. Like many National Guard NCOs, he held more 
than one military occupational specialty. With experience as an 
infantry soldier and knowledge of mechanics and supply logistics, Chris 
set the standard high for the soldiers he trained. He excelled in 
physical fitness, and he was a natural teacher. He served a 22-month 
deployment in Fort Irwin, California with the task of training units 
deploying for overseas contingency missions.
  Chris most recently served with the 1st of the 221st Cavalry in 
Afghanistan, earning his combat spurs during this tour. The decorations 
and badges earned over his distinguished career include the Combat 
Action Badge, the Meritorious Unit Commendation with oak leaf cluster, 
the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf 
cluster, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal with 
four oak leaf clusters, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the 
Southwest Asia Service Medal, and the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with 
one campaign star.
  Chris is remembered as a soft-spoken warrior with a love for fixing 
things.
  A fellow soldier and friend, Master Sergeant Paul Kinsey, made 
reference to his demeanor:

       You can't just label him with one word or one phrase. Still 
     waters run deep.

  The Riege family laid their soldier to rest in Page, Nebraska, on 
September 17, 2011. Today, I join the family and

[[Page S6481]]

friends of Master Sergeant Riege in mourning the death of their son, 
father, fiance, friend, and fellow soldier. Nebraska is honored to call 
him one of our own, and I know both Nebraskans and Nevadans will 
surround his family during this very difficult time. As we honor this 
hero, may his children--Serrah, Erica, Synde, and Michael--always know 
the bravery with which their father served and the love he had for 
them.
  May God bless the Riege family and all of our service men and women, 
both here and abroad.
  I yield the floor and note the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Maryland.
  Mr. CARDIN. I ask that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

                          ____________________