[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 99 (Tuesday, June 21, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E968]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE SERVICE AND SACRIFICE OF UNITED STATES ARMY SPECIALIST 
                  BRANDON A. BANNER OF MILTON, FLORIDA

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 21, 2016

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, on June 2, 2016, nine soldiers 
were taken from us during the tragic training accident at Fort Hood, 
Texas. A grateful and grieving Nation mourn the tremendous loss of 
these fine men and women, and it is with profound sadness that I rise 
to honor them and pay a special tribute to United States Army 
Specialist Brandon A. Banner of Milton, Florida.
   SPC Banner graduated from Milton High School in 2013 where he played 
defensive end on the school's football team. He also attended Pensacola 
State College before joining the Army in March 2014 as a motor 
transport operator. In July 2014, SPC Banner was assigned to the 3rd 
Battalion, 16th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st 
Cavalry Division, Fort Hood.
   Fort Hood had been experiencing unprecedented levels of rainfall and 
flash flooding when on Thursday morning, June 2, while SPC Banner and 
members of his unit were conducting convoy operations, their Light 
Medium Tactical Vehicle overturned at Owl Creek and all nine were 
killed. SPC Banner was 22 years old.
   Amongst his Army Family, SPC Banner was known to be a loyal and 
faithful friend who was determined and was destined for great success. 
His military career may have been short-lived, but as evidenced by his 
several awards including the National Defense Service Medal, Global War 
on Terrorism Service Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, Army Service 
Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon and the Marksmanship Qualification 
Badge--Sharpshooter with Carbine, it was a career during which SPC 
Banner displayed an unwavering commitment to duty and excellence.
   Mr. Speaker, our servicemembers know full well the risk involved 
when they join the greatest military in the world. Yet they do it 
anyway and for a cause greater than their own. We owe these soldiers 
and their families our everlasting gratitude and our greatest respect. 
Vicki and I join citizens all across Northwest Florida and our great 
Nation in praying for the family and friends of Specialist Brandon A. 
Banner and his eight comrades. May the service and selfless sacrifice 
of these warriors never be forgotten and may God continue to bless all 
members of the Armed Forces and the United States of America.

                          ____________________