[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 185 (Friday, December 18, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Page S8878]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING CORPORAL ANDREW A. AIMESBURY

  Mrs. SHAHEEN. Mr. President, I have come to the floor to honor the 
service and sacrifice of Army CPL Andrew Aimesbury, who died last week 
from wounds sustained during squad live-fire training at Fort Stewart, 
GA. He was a proud son of New Hampshire, and I join with other Granite 
Staters in extending my deep condolences to his father, Carl Aimesbury, 
of Somersworth; his mother, Karen Kelsey, of Dover; and his sister, 
Abigail Aimesbury, also of Dover.
  Corporal Aimesbury served courageously in Afghanistan and was highly 
respected as a warrior and team leader with an elite Ranger unit. His 
battalion commander praised his ``caring nature'' and called him ``an 
exceptional Ranger leader and an extraordinary man.''
  It is deeply moving to read a post on Facebook by his father, Carl 
Aimesbury. Mr. Aimesbury wrote: ``Wednesday December 9th the world lost 
the best son, brother, cousin, grandson, person that I was so 
privileged to call my son. He was an Army Ranger and so proud to serve 
his country. My heart is broken but I am so thankful for the time I had 
with him. I love you Andrew.'' As we honor Andrew, let us remember that 
it is not only our warriors who serve and sacrifice but also their 
family members and loved ones.
  Corporal Aimesbury represented the very best in our Nation. After 
graduation from Dover High School in Dover, NH, he enlisted in the Army 
and trained as an infantryman at Fort Benning, GA. He went on to 
complete the Ranger Assessment and Selection Program as well as the 
highly demanding Army Ranger Course and was assigned to Company D, 1st 
Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment.
  Soldiers typically flinch from the term ``hero.'' But make no 
mistake, Andrew Aimesbury answered the call of duty, served our Nation 
in time of war, and was prepared to--and did--make the ultimate 
sacrifice. If that is not heroism, I don't know what is.
  There is an inscription at Arlington National Cemetery that pretty 
much says it all: ``Not for fame or reward, nor lured by ambition or 
goaded by necessity, but in simple obedience to duty.''
  I join with people in New Hampshire and across the United States in 
honoring the ``simple obedience to duty'' of this brave fallen soldier, 
CPL Andrew Aimesbury.

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