[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 162 (Wednesday, October 26, 2011)]
[House]
[Page H7080]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    RECOGNIZING THE SERVICE AND SACRIFICE OF AMERICA'S VETERANS AND 
                        MILITARY SERVICEMEMBERS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Kansas (Mr. Yoder) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. YODER. Today, I rise to recognize the service and sacrifice of 
our Nation's veterans and military servicemembers who have answered our 
country's call to serve.
  Last month, we commemorated the 10th anniversary of the attacks of 
September 11, 2001, in remembrance of the victims and their families, 
while at the same time recognizing the need for continued vigilance as 
the United States seeks to rid the world of terrorism.
  This month, we commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Afghanistan 
war. Ten years later, our Nation is safer as a direct result of the 
voluntary service of men and women who are willing to place themselves 
in harm's way, often under circumstances many Americans cannot fathom.
  This willingness to serve and dedication to duty remains consistent 
with previous generations of veterans who chose to serve their country 
during our greatest time of need. Unfortunately, we have lost some of 
our greatest treasure in our fight against terrorism. Since October 
2001, 4,914 servicemembers have been killed and another 46,376 injured 
as a result of military action in Iraq and Afghanistan. Recently, we 
again faced a tragic loss of life.
  On August 6, a CH-46 Chinook twin-engine helicopter, carrying U.S. 
Army soldiers, U.S. Navy SEALS, and Afghan soldiers, was shot down in 
the Wardak province of Afghanistan, resulting in the greatest loss of 
life in any combat incident of the entire conflict thus far. The unit 
involved, B Company 7th/158th Aviation, is headquartered in New 
Century, Kansas, in the southernmost part of my district.

                              {time}  1120

  Last March I had the privilege to attend the deployment ceremony for 
the unit as they departed for training at Fort Bliss, ultimately 
deploying to Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. As my 
colleagues are well aware, deployment ceremonies are often somber 
affairs with family members wanting to spend every last second with 
their loved ones before they depart for duty and soldiers assuring 
family members that they will be okay and not to worry.
  This past August, I was saddened to learn about the tragic events of 
August 6, 2011, hearing the news that three members of the unit had 
been killed during the combat operation. These soldiers, Army 
Specialist Spencer Duncan, Chief Warrant Officer Bryan Nichols and Army 
Specialist Alexander Bennett, are remembered as outstanding soldiers, 
dedicated to duty, their unit, and to each other.
  Spencer Duncan was just 21, a 2008 graduate of Olathe South High 
School. He enlisted in the Army Reserve shortly after graduation; and 
before deployment to Afghanistan, he served at New Century AirCenter 
Aviation Support Facility in Olathe, Kansas. First he was an aircraft 
mechanic, and later he trained to become a Chinook door gunner. I had 
the honor of attending a memorial service for Specialist Duncan and 
witnessed the outpouring of friends and loving family.
  Bryan Nichols was 31 and a pilot from Kansas City, Missouri, who, 
when hearing of the need to train people for mobilization, followed and 
sacrificed for our country, leaving behind a wife and son.
  Alexander Bennett was 23 and was trained as a Chinook helicopter 
flight mechanic. Originally from Tacoma, Washington, he had already 
served one tour of duty in Iraq in 2009 before being deployed again, 
this time to Afghanistan.
  Mr. Speaker, our hearts go out to the families and friends of these 
three patriotic servicemen who gave the ultimate sacrifice that we all 
in this country might continue to live in a Nation of freedom and 
liberty. For their service and sacrifice to our Nation, a grieving 
country says thank you.
  Mr. Speaker, next month we will celebrate Veterans Day and once again 
remember the service and sacrifice of all those who have faithfully and 
dutifully served, in peacetime and in war, throughout.

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