[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 137 (Wednesday, November 12, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5952-S5955]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES


                        Corporal Thomas A. Blair

  Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, it is my honor to pay tribute to the life 
and sacrifice of Marine Cpl Thomas A. Blair of Wagoner, OK who lost his 
life on March 24, 2003, from injuries sustained during a lengthy battle 
with insurgents while serving his Nation in Nasiriyah, Iraq.
  The son of Alfred Jr. and Nancy Hinton Blair, Tommy was born July 7, 
1978, in Wagoner, OK. After graduating from Broken Arrow High School, 
he entered the Marine Corps in 1997 and was assigned to the 2nd Low 
Altitude Air Defense Battalion, Marine Air Control Group-28, 2nd Marine 
Aircraft Wing, Cherry Point, NC.
  Tommy was posthumously awarded the Navy-Marine Corps Commendation 
Medal for helping pull nine wounded marines into an armored vehicle 
before it was hit by at least four enemy rocket-propelled grenades and 
then a missile fired from an American attack plane. He was among 18 
marines killed that day in fighting around Nasiriyah.
  Tommy was laid to rest in Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery in Joplin, MO, 
and is survived by his father Alfred Jr., mother Nancy, and brother 
Alfred III.
  ``He was a young man that would give the shirt off his back if 
someone needed it,'' recalled his older brother, Marine SSG Alfred 
Blair, III. ``He lived life to the fullest and enjoyed every minute of 
every day. In his first letter home to our mom, he said he was doing 
what he had been trained to do and was proud to be doing it for his 
country.''
  Today we remember Marine CPL Thomas A. Blair, the first known native 
Oklahoman to lose his life in Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was a young 
man who loved his family and country and gave his life as a sacrifice 
for freedom.


                         Captain John J. Boria

  Mr. President, I also pay tribute to the life and sacrifice of Air 
Force Capt. John J. Boria of Broken Arrow, OK, who died on September 6, 
2004, after injuries sustained in a all-terrain vehicle accident while 
serving his nation in Doha, Qatar.
  Javy, as he was known by his family and friends was born on August 
12, 1975. After graduating from Union High School in Tulsa, OK, in 
1993, I nominated this bright young man to attend the U.S. Air Force 
Academy. He spent a year at the Academy's Prep School before entering 
the U.S. Air Force Academy, where he graduated in 1998. Upon completing 
flight training, he was assigned as an instructor and KC-135 pilot at 
the 911th Refueling Squadron at Grand Forks Air Force Base, ND, and was 
deployed to Qatar to work in the Combined Air Operations Center in June 
2004.
  Funeral services were held on September 14, 2004, at Broken Arrow 
Assembly of God Church, with internment at the U.S. Air Force Academy 
Cemetery in Colorado Springs, CO. Javy is survived by his parents John 
and Wanda and brother Joe.
  His favorite Bible verse in John 15 states, depending on the 
translation, that ``no greater love has a man than he lay down his life 
for his friends,'' his mother said. When discussing becoming an organ 
donor with his mother during his junior year at the Academy, Javy said, 
``I want to be a donor too. If I die and part of me could be used, it 
could give somebody else a chance to live the life that I won't have.''
  Today we remember Air Force Capt. John J. Boria, a young man who 
loved his family and country and gave his life as a sacrifice for 
freedom.

[[Page S5953]]

                 Chief Warrant Officer Travis W. Grogan

  Mr. President, I now pay tribute to the life and sacrifice of Army 
CWO Travis W. Grogan, who died on November 27, 2004, after the aircraft 
he was a passenger in crashed in Bamian, Afghanistan.
  Born an only child on January 12, 1973, Travis grew up just outside 
Oklahoma City, OK, and graduated from Moore High School. Descending 
from a long line of servicemen, with relatives who served in Korea, 
World War I, and the Civil War, he initially enlisted in the Navy, 
where he served for 9 years as a search-and-rescue swimmer. Later, he 
became interested in flying and transferred to the Army to become a 
helicopter pilot with the 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 25th 
Infantry Division, Light, Schofield Barracks, HI. He had been in 
Afghanistan since April 2004.
  ``He died for our freedoms here in America,'' Barbara Grogan said of 
her only son. ``This was important to him, and it should be important 
to everyone in America. Our freedoms are worth fighting for.''
  Travis is survived by his wife Tracy; daughter Ashley; son Austin; 
parents, Barbara and Lewis; and grandmother, Wilma North.
  Funeral services were held on December 9, 2004, at the First Baptist 
Church in Moore, OK, with burial conducted at Ft Sill National Cemetery 
in Elgin, OK.
  ``He knew why he was in Afghanistan. He was very proud of being able 
to serve his country,'' said his grandmother. ``If they had found him 
wounded, he would have said, Doctor me up; I'm going back'.''
  Today we remember Army CWO Travis W. Grogan, a young man who loved 
his family and country and gave his life as a sacrifice for freedom.


                      Specialist Jared D. Hartley

  Mr. President, it is my honor also to pay tribute to the life and 
sacrifice of Army SPC Jared D. Hartley, of Newkirk, OK, who died on 
July 15, 2005, of injuries sustained after an improvised explosive 
device detonated near his vehicle in Taji, Iraq.
  Jared was born January 2, 1983, and enlisted in June 2002. After 
basic training he was assigned to 125th Forward Support Battalion, 3rd 
Brigade, 1st Armored Division, based at Fort Riley, KS.
  Jared was a 2002 graduate of Newkirk High School, where he played 
football and basketball. He joined the Army shortly after graduating 
high school and deployed for a 13-month tour in Iraq. ``When he came 
back, he was going to get out of the military, but they told him they 
needed him,'' his brother Alex Hartley said. ``He said, `No problem, 
I'll stay in as long as you need me'.'' He returned for his second tour 
in March.
  Alex said his brother was committed to the military's mission in Iraq 
and pleased with the positive response he received from the Iraqi 
people. ``He said people he talked to were glad they were there. 
Protecting our country and helping people--he felt good about his 
mission.''
  Jared was buried at Newkirk Cemetery and is survived by his parents, 
Doug and Kathie, and his brother Alex.
  Today we remember Army SPC Jared D. Hartley, a young man who loved 
his family and country and gave his life as a sacrifice for freedom.


                  Lieutenant Colonel Daniel E. Holland

  Mr. President, I wish to remember the life and sacrifice of Army LTC 
Daniel E. Holland, of San Antonio, TX, who died on May 8, 2006, of 
injuries sustained when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive 
device while he served his Nation in Baghdad, Iraq. Daniel was a 
veterinarian assigned to South Plains District Veterinary Command at Ft 
Hood, TX, attached to the 352nd Civil Affairs Command at Fort Bragg, 
NC.
  Daniel was born in Munich, Germany, on April 5, 1963, the youngest of 
10 children. His father retired from military service in Marlow, OK, 
where Daniel graduated from high school in 1981. Selected to give the 
commencement address at his high school graduation, he went on to 
attend Oklahoma State University on an ROTC scholarship, transferring 
after 3 years into OSU's College of Veterinary Medicine. His dreams 
were realized when he was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Army 
in 1984. He and Sheryl Patton were married in August 1985 in 
Stillwater, OK.
  Burial services with full military honors were held at Fort Sam 
Houston National Cemetery on May 31, 2006.
  Daniel is survived by his wife Sheryl; son Garrett; daughter Rachel; 
parents, Col (Ret.) and Mrs. Herbert S. Holland, Jr.; parents-in-law, 
Bancker and Lana Cade; brothers and sisters (and their spouses), Col 
(Ret.) Robert F. Holland (Carol), Mark M. Holland (Josie), Patricia 
Nixon (Thomas), David W. Holland (MaryAnn), Mary K. Ralya (Steven), Maj 
(Ret.) John R. Holland (Rita), Claire Nieswiadomy (Michael), Catherine 
Ochoa (Joseph), and Elizabeth Blute (Peter); sister-in-law, Kellie 
Robinson; and many beloved nieces and nephews.
  Today we remember Army LTC Daniel E. Holland, a man who loved his 
family and country and gave his life as a sacrifice for freedom.


                  Private First Class Daniel R. Parker

  Mr. President, it is my honor also to pay tribute to the life and 
sacrifice of Army PFC Daniel R. Parker, who died on August 12, 2003 
from injuries sustained when he was thrown from his vehicle after the 
driver swerved to avoid an oncoming vehicle while serving his Nation in 
Mosul, Iraq.
  Dan was born August 17, 1984, in Oklahoma City and later moved to 
Lake Elsinore, CA. An active member of ROTC in high school in Lake 
Elsinore, CA, he followed in the footsteps of his father and 
grandfather, enlisting in the Army at the age of 17, just 2 weeks after 
graduating from Lake Elsinore High School. His first assignment after 
completing training at Ft Sill, OK was B Battery, 2nd Battalion, 44th 
Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, Air Assault, 
Fort Campbell, KY.
  Deploying for the first time in March 2003, Dan was part of the team 
sent to the villa where two sons of Saddam Hussein were hiding on July 
23, 2003. After the gunfight that killed Odai and Qusai Hussein, Dan's 
photo was taken by media and he was on the cover of the Los Angeles 
Times standing in front of the building, holding his gun.
  Dan was laid to rest in Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, CA, 
and is survived by his parents, Billy and Sherri Parker; three 
brothers, Dustin, Dalton, and Dallas; and a sister, Danielle.
  Just before Dan deployed, his father drove to Nashville, TN, to spend 
time with him. ``We drove around Nashville, went out to Opryland, drove 
down Music Row. I told him no one has a guarantee on the number of 
years you got. We don't know what the number is, but the important 
thing is every day you do what you're supposed to do,'' said his 
father.
  ``Not one time, ever, did I think that he wasn't going to walk 
through that door back home, but that's OK. I'm not disappointed in the 
20 or 30 or 40 or 50 years that he didn't have. I'm excited about the 
18 he did have. He was able to touch so many people's lives,'' Billy 
Parker said.
  Today we remember Army PFC Daniel R. Parker, a young man who loved 
his family and country and gave his life as a sacrifice for freedom.


                  Private First Class Joshua F. Powers

  Mr. President, I wish to remember the life and sacrifice of Army PFC 
Joshua F. Powers, of Skiatook, OK who died on February 24, 2006, of 
noncombat related injuries while serving his nation in Baghdad, Iraq.
  As the youngest of three boys, Joshua was born February 11, 1985 and 
enlisted in July 2005. After basic training he was assigned to 2nd 
Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st 
Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, KY. He had been in Iraq for just over 
two weeks.
  Josh was buried at Osage Garden Cemetery, Skiatook, OK where Army 
personnel honored him with a 21-gun salute and played ``Taps''. He is 
survived by his mother Patricia; father Ernest; and brothers Michael 
and Jonathan.
  At the funeral service, an elder at Sperry's Remnant Church of Jesus 
Christ of Latter-day Saints, C.H. Whiteman, said Joshua was doing what 
he thought was right. ``If it weren't for young men like him, we 
couldn't enjoy the kind of life we have in America,'' he said.
  Today we remember Army PFC Joshua F. Powers, a young man who loved 
his family and country, and gave his life as a sacrifice for freedom.

[[Page S5954]]

                      Specialist Bryan L. Quinton

  Mr. President, I also wish to remember the life and sacrifice of Army 
SPC Bryan L. Quinton, of Sand Springs, OK, who died on May 4, 2006, of 
injuries sustained when a rocket propelled grenade struck near his 
vehicle while he served his nation in Baghdad, Iraq.
  Born June 29, 1981 to Timothy and Kristi Quinton in Tulsa, OK, Bryan 
enlisted in the United States Army on January 15, 2004 and completed 
basic training and advanced individual training at Fort Leonard Wood, 
MO. He served in Alpha Company, 2nd Engineer Battalion, 2nd Infantry 
Division, Camp Giant, Korea before being reassigned to Bravo Company, 
5th Engineer Battalion, Ft Leonard Wood, MO.
  On the day he died, Bryan, like he had done so many times before, 
insisted on being in the ``point''--the lead vehicle in a 12-vehicle 
convoy checking for bombs. ``Let me make it safe for everyone else,'' 
he was quoted as saying. No one would travel those highways until he 
and his comrades gave the ``all-clear signal,'' said BG Todd Semonite, 
commander of the engineer school at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. Everyone 
looked to him for their own personal safety.
  Funeral services were held on May 17, 2006 at First United Methodist 
Church in Sapulpa, OK. The road leading into the Green Hill Memorial 
Gardens Cemetery was bordered on both sides by scores of American 
flags, snapping in the breeze. Nearly 100 motorcyclists, many of them 
veterans from previous wars, stood at attention along the flag-lined 
road as the funeral procession glided past them. As eight Army 
pallbearers pulled the silver-colored casket from the hearse, a 
bagpiper in the distance softly played ``Amazing Grace.'' His wife 
Cyndi was given the folded flag that draped the coffin as her husband 
was honored by a 21-gun salute and the playing of taps.
  Bryan is survived by his wife Cyndi; daughter Pyper; son Connor; 
parents Tim and Kristy Quinton; brother Garth; brother Brent and his 
wife Alison; nephew Clay Quinton; grandmother Barbara Weaver; and 
grandfather Grady Quinton.
  ``My heart died when my husband did, but I know he would want us to 
think about all the crazy stunts he pulled and all the laughter,'' 
Cyndi said. ``God, you are very lucky to have him! Heaven, just get 
ready to laugh!''
  Today we remember Army SPC Bryan L. Quinton, a young man who loved 
his family and country, and gave his life as a sacrifice for freedom.


                      Specialist Stephen M. Scott

  Mr. President, it is my honor to pay tribute to the life and 
sacrifice of Army SPC Stephen M. Scott of Lawton, OK, who died on 
August 23, 2003 from non-combat injuries sustained while serving his 
nation near Fallujah, Iraq.
  Born in San Antonio, Stephen moved several times before settling in 
Lawton, OK. He met his wife Marie in a psychology class before 
graduating from Eisenhower High School in Lawton and the couple married 
on July 4, 2002.
  Stephen joined the Oklahoma National Guard in 2001 and he and Marie 
chose to go on active duty a year later. Stephen was a cook assigned to 
2nd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment and Marie worked community 
relations for the 14th Public Affairs Detachment in Fort Carson, CO. He 
deployed to Iraq in June 2002. While she was aware of the risk involved 
in her husband's deployment, Marie never thought her office would be 
handling a news release announcing his death.
  ``Especially not Stephen,'' she said. ``He was amazing. I'm so sad, 
but sometimes I can't help but smile. He was so goofy he would make you 
laugh. He was very spiritual. He was very strong. We had a lot of 
plans.''
  Today we remember Army SPC Stephen M. Scott, a young man who loved 
his family and country, and gave his life as a sacrifice for freedom.


                     Sergeant Danton K. Seitsinger

  Mr. President, it is my honor also to pay tribute to the life and 
sacrifice of Army SGT Danton K. Seitsinger of Oklahoma City, OK, who 
died on January 29, 2004 when a weapons cache detonated west of Ghanzi, 
Afghanistan.
  Kyle was born on October 4, 1974 and graduated from Wentworth 
Military Academy in Lexington, MO, in May 1993. He enlisted in the U.S. 
Marine Corps on December 7, 1993 and spent his 6 years guarding U.S. 
embassies in Brasilia, Moscow and the consulate in Rio de Janeiro. 
After separating from the Marine Corps in 2000, he attended Oklahoma 
Christian University and enlisted with the 486th Civil Affairs 
Battalion, Army Reserve, Broken Arrow, OK.
  While at Oklahoma Christian University, Kyle worked for the student 
newspaper, serving as an editor for 2 years. In 2002, he was selected 
as one of 16 student journalists to participate in the Summer Institute 
in Journalism sponsored by the Coalition of Christian Colleges and 
Universities. His assignments included interviews with the Colombian 
president as well as U.S. Representatives Ernest Istook and J.C. Watts. 
In 2003, Kyle spent 6 months in Costa Rica in a program designed to 
immerse the learner in the Spanish language. While serving in Brasilia, 
he ``adopted'' two young poor girls and urged his family to send them 
gifts. He wasted no time, rising early to explore the many cities he 
visited. It is as though he knew he needed a faster pace to complete 
his life.
  Just 12 months short of his graduation with a dual major in 
journalism and Spanish, Kyle was called to active duty in November 2003 
and deployed to Afghanistan.
  Kyle is survived by his father Dan; mother Jo; and two sisters, Karla 
Seitsinger and Penny Owen Cockerell. He is buried in Headrick Cemetery 
in Headrick, OK.
  Today we remember Army SGT Danton K. Seitsinger, a young man who 
loved his family and country, and gave his life as a sacrifice for 
freedom.


                     Staff Sergeant Steven W. White

  Mr. President, I wish to remember the life and sacrifice of Army SSG 
Steven W. White of Lawton, OK who died on August 13, 2003 from injuries 
sustained when his M113 armored personnel carrier hit an anti-tank mine 
while he served his nation in Tikrit, Iraq.
  Steven was born November 6, 1973 and graduated from Fruitvale High 
School in Fruitvale, TX. A 9 year Army veteran, he re-enlisted in 
February 2003 for 6 more years and had been in Iraq for about 4 months. 
He was a truck mechanic assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters 
Battery, 4th Battalion, 42nd Field Artillery Regiment, based at Fort 
Hood, TX.
  Steven was laid to rest in Haven of Memories Cemetery in Canton, TX. 
He is survived by his wife Laniece and four children ranging in age 
from 12 years to 16 months.
  ``He would always want to come home and visit with classmates and see 
his family,'' said his wife. ``He was a simple man. It didn't take much 
to please him.''
  Today we remember Army SSG Steven W. White, a young man who loved his 
family and country, and gave his life as a sacrifice for freedom.


                    Lance Corporal Hatak Keyu Yearby

  Mr. President, I also remember the life and sacrifice of Marine Corps 
LCPL Hatak Keyu Yearby, of Overbrook, OK who died on May 14, 2006, of 
injuries sustained from an improvised explosive device while serving 
his nation in Al Anbar province of Iraq. Hatak was assigned to 3rd 
Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine 
Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Base Kaneohe Bay, HI.
  Hatak was born on March 11, 1985 in Overbrook, OK and graduated from 
Marietta High School in 2003 where he was remembered as a quiet, well-
mannered young man who was a good student and person. A proud native 
American, he grew up attending powwows, where he performed and competed 
as a traditional Choctaw dancer. Good at his craft, he earned second 
place at the Trail of Tears Powwow in September 2003 and second-place 
at the Citizen Potawatomi Nation Intertribal Powwow in October 2004. 
Wearing two long braids much of his life, he woke one morning and told 
his mother he had to cut his hair because of a dream. He then joined 
the Marines in May 2005, married Lindsey Michelle in February 2006 and 
went to Iraq the following month.
  About 1,000 people attended a funeral service meant to celebrate the 
life of the 21-year-old newlywed. Burial services were conducted at the 
Yearby Family Cemetery in Overbrook. OK.
  Hatak is survived by his wife Lindsey; his parents, Justin and Mary 
Yearby; and two sisters, Shema Yearby and Samarrah Bell.
  Today we remember Marine Corps LCPL Hatak Keyu Yearby, a young

[[Page S5955]]

man who loved his family and country, and gave his life as a sacrifice 
for freedom.

                          ____________________