[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 76 (Thursday, May 24, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Page S3619]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES

  Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I rise today to offer a Memorial Day 
tribute to the brave men and women who have lost their lives protecting 
the safety and security of our citizens and American interests around 
the world.
  Today, there are media reports about the American people becoming 
``war weary'' after more than a decade of combat activities in 
Afghanistan, Iraq and elsewhere. Many lives and great expense have been 
marshaled since the 9/11 attacks, but I would submit that Americans are 
unfaltering in their appreciation for the honor, courage and dedication 
shown by our servicemen and women. This is especially the case for 
those who have made the ultimate sacrifice by giving their lives for 
their country.
  This Memorial Day, I will take time to honor our brave fallen 
warriors, including the more than 70 military personnel from 
Mississippi who have died in the service of our Nation in Iraq, 
Afghanistan and around the world over the past decade.
  For the Record, I offer the names of these brave Mississippians who 
have fallen since the Nation commemorated Memorial Day last year. They 
are:
  Sgt. Christopher R. Bell, 21, of Golden, who died June 4, 2011.
  Petty Officer Stacy O. Johnson, 35, of Rolling Fork, who died July 
18, 2011.
  LCpl. Edward J. Dycus, 22, of Greenville, who died Feb. 1, 2012.
  SFC Billy E. Sutton, 42, of Tupelo, who died Feb. 7, 2012.
  MSG Scott E. Pruitt, 38, of Gautier, who died April 28, 2012.
  SSG Carlous Perry, 30, of West Point, who died April 30, 2012.
  I am confident that the people of my State will join the national 
commemoration to remember these men and the thousands of 
Mississippians, who over the course of this great nation's history, 
have courageously served and sacrificed their lives in that service. We 
will also recall their families and their profound loss. On this day of 
remembrance, we salute those sacrifices and express our gratitude for 
their brave service.
  In these challenging times, we should also reaffirm our commitment to 
the servicemen and women who today put themselves in danger on our 
behalf. We must remain resolved to ensure that those who join our Armed 
Forces are the best equipped and best trained in the world, and that we 
meet our obligations to those who have served and sacrificed in the 
defense of our nation.
  Let me close by expressing my personal gratitude to all our fallen 
heroes, and communicating my sincere appreciation to those 
Mississippians and Americans who answer the call to arms and find 
themselves in harm's way.

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