[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 148 (Monday, November 26, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6891-S6892]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES


                 Sergeant First Class Ryan James Savard

  Mrs. SHAHEEN. Mr. President, today I wish to pay tribute to the 
heroic service of SFC Ryan James Savard, who was killed in action 
October 13 in Kunduz Province as part of Operation Enduring Freedom in 
Afghanistan. Sergeant First Class Savard was assigned to the 
Headquarters and Headquarters Company of U.S. Army Special Operations 
Command out of Fort Bragg, NC. He was killed while serving a sixth tour 
of duty--a remarkable accomplishment--after completing four tours in 
Afghanistan and one tour in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. 
He was a brave patriot who served his country with honor and 
distinction. He was a loving husband and a devoted son.
  Ryan was born on February 27, 1983 in Salt Lake City, UT. When he and 
his family moved to Jefferson, NH, Ryan attended eighth grade at the 
Lancaster School and spent 3 years at the White Mountains Regional High 
School in Whitefield. After graduating from high school in Arizona, 
Ryan followed in his father's footsteps and enlisted in the Army. In 
fact, he completed his very first day of basic training on September 
11, 2001.
  Ryan began his 10 years of service repairing helicopters and then 
went on to earn great distinction in the Special Operations Forces as a 
Green Beret. In June 2004 he graduated from the U.S. Army John F. 
Kennedy Special Warfare Center, becoming a weapons sergeant in Company 
A, Third Battalion, Third Special Forces Group at Fort Bragg. Ryan rose 
steadily in this role, deploying three times as a senior weapons 
sergeant in 2008 and twice as a Special Operations Team Member in two 
tours beginning in 2010.
  Ryan received a significant number of awards for his distinguished 
service, including three Army Commendation Medals, a Joint Service 
Achievement Medal, three Army Achievement Medals, a Joint Meritorious 
Unit Award and Meritorious Unit Commendation and three Good Conduct 
Medals. In addition, he was posthumously awarded a third Bronze Star 
Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal and a second Purple Heart.
  Ryan is remembered by those close to him as a true friend with an 
infectious laugh and an unmatched sense of humor. He was a great 
listener and an extremely hard-working young man. Ryan knew the type of 
commitment that was necessary to be a real friend and the type of 
commitment that was necessary to be the best soldier possible. His 
drive to succeed has left an indelible mark on his family, his friends, 
the State of New Hampshire and the Nation. We are extremely proud and 
deeply appreciative of Ryan for his willingness to serve and 
ultimately, to lay down his life, like so many others before him, in 
the defense of the freedoms that we as Americans hold dear.

[[Page S6892]]

  Ryan has been laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery. He is 
survived by his wife, Kayla, of Fayetteville, NC; his parents, SGM 
Garett Savard and Marie Savard, of Lancaster, NH; his five sisters, 
Rachel, Rebekah, Virginia, Karen and Mariah; and his two brothers, 
Jedidiah and Garrett. This American hero will be sorely missed.
  I ask my colleagues and all Americans to join me in honoring the 
heroic service of SFC Ryan James Savard.

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