[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 117 (Thursday, July 24, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Page S4897]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES
Specialist Dennis J. Pratt
Mr. INHOFE. Madam President, I wish to pay tribute to a true American
hero, Army SPC Dennis J. Pratt, who died on July 20, 2009, serving our
Nation in Maydan Shahr, Afghanistan. Specialist Pratt, SPC Anthony M.
Lightfoot, SPC Andrew J. Roughton, and SGT Gregory Owens, Jr., died of
wounds sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near
their vehicle followed by an attack from enemy forces using small arms
and rocket-propelled grenades.
Dennis was born January 7, 1975, in Waterbury, CT. After graduating
high school in Southington, CT, he moved to Arizona, Oklahoma, and then
Texas, where he joined the military. He married Michelle Bryant on May
9, 2008 in Lawton, OK.
After completing basic training at Fort Sill, OK, Dennis was assigned
to 4th Battalion, 25th Field Artillery (Strike), 3rd Brigade Combat
Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Fort Drum, NY. A third-
generation soldier and a 34-year-old father of three, Dennis was called
``the old man'' among comrades in his unit.
On January 6, 2009, he was deployed to Afghanistan as a field
artillery automated tactical data systems specialist and reenlisted
while there. ``Dennis wasn't supposed to be at that place at that time,
but he always told us that the Army and serving his country was where
he wanted to be. He had found his niche in life in the military,'' said
his mother.
Funeral services were held July 31, 2009, at the Fort Sill chapel,
and he was laid to rest in Fort Sill National Cemetery, Elgin, OK.
Dennis is survived by his wife Michelle, three children, Collin
Kessler, Gabrielle Pratt, and Caden Bryant, parents, Jim and Sinammon
Pratt, mother and father-in-law, Fred and Margaret Bryant, two
brothers, Jim Pratt and wife Staci and their children Miranda, D.J. and
Morgan and Kyle Hansan and wife Nicole and their daughter CaLista, one
stepsister, Leanna Pratt, and a host of other relatives and friends.
Today we remember Army SPC Dennis J. Pratt, a young man who loved his
family and country and gave his life as a sacrifice for freedom.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Tony M. Randolph
Madam President, I would also like to remember the life and
sacrifices of PO2 Tony M. Randolph, who died on July 6, 2009, of
injuries sustained when insurgents utilized improvised explosive
devices to attack his convoy in Zabul province, Afghanistan.
Tony was born on September 27, 1986, in Santa Rosa, CA. Growing up in
Oklahoma, he was a 2005 graduate of Henryetta High School in Henryetta,
OK, where he was a star athlete earning all-district honors in
football.
``Tony was a leader. I truly believe he was a natural born leader,''
said Henryetta football coach Kenny Speer. He was known for his
toughness. In high school one day, Coach Speer made him run lap after
lap. All Tony had to do was say ``yes sir'' for the punishment to end.
``I said, Tony, you say the two magic words to make you stop running.
So he looks at me and goes, `Si Senor,' '' said Coach Kenny Speer.
Tony joined the Navy on September 28, 2005, and graduated from boot
camp at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, IL, in December 2005.
Other military assignments include Joint Forces Staff College in
Norfolk, VA; Naval Dive and Salvage Training Center in Panama City, FL;
Naval Explosive Ordnance Device School at Eglin Air Force Base, FL; and
Explosive Ordnance Device Training and Evaluation Unit 1 in San Diego,
CA.
He reported to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit Eight,
Sigonella, Sicily, in March 2008 and deployed to Afghanistan in March
2009.
``Petty Officer Randolph brought an incredible sense of youthful
spirit, professionalism and dedication to this unit,'' said CDR Todd
Siddall, commanding officer of EODMU 8. ``He will forever be remembered
by his fellow Sailors as an example of true service to country and
selfless sacrifice.''
Funeral services were held July 15, 2009, at First Baptist Church in
Henryetta, OK, and he was laid to rest in Hillcrest Cemetery, Weleetka,
OK.
``He loved his friends. He loved his family. He loved his country.
That was Tony,'' said his mother, Peggy Randolph.
Tony is survived by his parents, Fred and Peggy Sue Randolph, his
brothers, Shawn and Richard, and his sisters, Susan and Kelly.
I extend our deepest gratitude and condolences to Tony's family and
friends. He lived a life of love for his family and country. He will be
remembered for his commitment to and belief in the greatness of our
Nation. I am honored to pay tribute to this true American hero who
volunteered to go into the fight and made the ultimate sacrifice for
our protection and freedom.
Lance Corporal Jonathan F. Stroud
Madam President, I also wish to remember Marine LCpl Jonathan F.
Stroud, who died on July 31, 2009, of injuries sustained when his unit
was attacked by insurgents with small arms fire while on foot patrol in
Garmsir District, Afghanistan.
Jonathan was born on October 10, 1988, in North Richland Hills, TX.
He attended Cashion High School in Cashion, OK, where teachers remember
him as exceptionally intelligent. Fellow students remember him as the
class clown--goofy, gangly, dorky, the most honest, and one of the
nicest guys you could ever meet.
After graduating from high school in 2007 he joined the Marines on
April 14, 2008. He was assigned to 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd
Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, NC, as a
combat engineer.
Funeral services were held on August 8, 2009, and he was laid to rest
in Cashion Cemetery, Cashion, OK.
While many tears were shed, there was a brief moment of laughter when
Jonathan's final request was played, ``Another One Bites the Dust'' by
Queen. The song is to let everybody know that he's still with us and
he's still trying to make us happy even after he's gone,'' a friend of
his said.
Jonathan is survived by his wife Lacie E. Stroud of Jacksonville, NC,
mother Mavis Stroud and Thomas ``Smokey'' Longan of Cashion, OK, sister
Marissa L. Stroud of Oklahoma City, OK, father Bill R. Stroud of
Bedford, TX, grandparents Virginia Crawford Light and Jim Light of
Weatherford, TX, grandparents Bo and Helen Stroud of Hobbs, NM, and
numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
I extend our deepest gratitude and condolences to Jonathan's family
and friends. He lived a life of love for his family and country. He
will be remembered for his commitment to and belief in the greatness of
our Nation. I am honored to pay tribute to this true American hero who
volunteered to go into the fight and made the ultimate sacrifice for
our protection and freedom.
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