[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 106 (Monday, July 16, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Page S5045]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES


                     Lance Corporal Hunter D. Hogan

  Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. Mr. President, I rise today to honor Marine 
LCpl Hunter ``H.D.'' Hogan, who was killed by sniper fire in Helmand 
Province, Afghanistan on June 23, 2012.
  Following in the footsteps of his father, Steve, Lance Corporal Hogan 
joined the Marines in 2009 immediately after graduating from Brownstown 
Central High School in Norman, IN. He served admirably and was assigned 
to 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine 
Expeditionary Force at Camp Lejeune, NC.
  Lance Corporal Hogan grew up in Indiana, where he and his childhood 
friend, Chase Plumer, built an arena at the Plumer family farm in order 
to host rodeos. His classmates and friends remember him being ``tough 
as nails,'' owing in part to his avid love for rodeo. Lance Corporal 
Hogan was a Marine with the heart of a cowboy and dreamed of finishing 
his military service, then hitting the road as a professional rodeo 
competitor. He avidly competed in bull and bareback bronco riding.
  By all accounts, everyone who ever met Lance Corporal Hogan liked 
him. His kind personality and compassion for others translated into him 
making the personal choice to enter the military and defend his fellow 
Americans. Lance Corporal Hogan served his country honorably, and his 
courageous choice to protect our country and to help the people of 
Afghanistan achieve peace and security represents all that we can be 
proud of about our Armed Forces.
  The numerous family members residing in my home State of Nebraska, 
including Lance Corporal Hogan's father, Steve, and his grandfather, 
Jim, gave him a beautiful and touching memorial service, incorporating 
his love of all things relating to rodeos and cowboys. Not only was his 
last ride in a beautiful refurbished wagon drawn by two bay draft 
horses, a white horse less a rider led the procession, displaying the 
true heart and soul of this Marine cowboy.
  I commend Lance Corporal Hogan's bravery and selflessness, while 
offering my deepest condolences to his wife, Brittney, of New Bern, NC; 
father, Steve, and grandfather, Jim, both of York; his numerous 
friends; and the fellow servicemembers he left behind. It is a small 
comfort for those who must now go on without one they loved so dearly, 
but they take some solace in knowing he gave his life for a noble goal.
  LCpl Hunter Hogan made the most of his short life, and the greatest 
tragedy is that now it is impossible to know what more this promising 
young man might have accomplished. I join all Nebraskans in mourning 
the loss of Lance Corporal Hogan. His heroism and his life remain an 
inspiration for us all.

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