[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 158 (Thursday, November 7, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Page S7924]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
REMEMBERING SERGEANT LAWRENCE ROUKEY
Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, Sergeant Lawrence A. Roukey, a native of
Maine, was honored today for his exceptional service and sacrifice by
the Defense Intelligence Agency, DIA, in a ceremony at DIA
Headquarters. SGT Roukey was among four servicemembers honored and
inducted into the DIA Patriots' Memorial located in the lobby at DIA
Headquarters on Joint Base Bolling Anacostia in Washington, DC. The DIA
Patriots' Memorial honors DIA employees who died in service to the
United States in support of DIA's mission.
As a recipient of the Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart,
Sergeant Roukey has previously been recognized for emulating the
highest values of selflessness, dedication, and courage. Let me
illustrate how DIA described Sergeant Roukey's heroism and outstanding
contribution on behalf of our country and why the agency is honoring
him today. A member of the U.S. Army Reserve, Sergeant Roukey
volunteered to serve during Operation Iraqi Freedom as a member of the
security detail for the Iraq Survey Group mobile collection team that
was conducting a critical field inspection in an anticoalition forces
area. Under dangerous conditions, Sergeant Roukey and his squad mate
provided protective security for personnel charged with inspecting a
suspected weapons of mass destruction facility in Baghdad on April 26,
2004. Both soldiers lost their lives when a massive explosion occurred
at the facility being inspected.
Prior to rejoining the military as an Army Reservist in Maine,
Sergeant Roukey served in the U.S. Army infantry in South Korea and
Egypt. He was a respected teammate in the Reserves and at the Portland
Post Office, where he worked as a civilian, and he enjoyed hiking and
sharing stories about his family.
It is fitting for the DIA and for all of us to honor Sergeant Roukey
so close to Veterans Day, as well as all of the men and women who have
sacrificed so much in defense of America and American values, including
our military intelligence professionals. Prior to today's ceremony, the
memorial at DIA honored 21 individuals for their ultimate sacrifice.
Now the memorial honors 25 individuals. Today we commemorate Sergeant
Roukey and the other servicemembers honored with him, as well as all of
those who have served under the flag of the United States of America.
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