[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 92 (Friday, May 26, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E739]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF FALLEN MISSISSIPPI ARMY NATIONAL GUARD SERGEANT 
                      (SGT) AUDREY DARON LUNSFORD

                                  _____
                                 

                            HON. TRENT KELLY

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 26, 2017

  Mr. KELLY of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in memory of 
Mississippi Army National Guard Sergeant (SGT) Audrey Daron Lunsford 
who paid the ultimate sacrifice while defending our great nation on May 
23, 2005, during Operation Iraqi Freedom. SGT Lunsford was killed when 
his military vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device in 
Haswa, Iraq. Also killed were Specialist (SPC) Bryan Edward Barron, 
Sergeant First Class (SFC) Saburant Parker, and Sergeant (SGT) Daniel 
Ryan Varnado.
  SGT Lunsford, a Sardis native, was assigned to Headquarters and 
Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 1-155th Infantry Regiment, 
Mississippi Army National Guard, McComb Mississippi.
  SGT Lunsford enlisted in the Army after he graduated from high school 
in 1993. He served as a U.S. Army Ranger. After completing four years 
of service in the Army, SGT Lunsford became an officer with the Sardis 
Police Department and a firefighter for the Tunica Fire Department.
  In January 2005, SGT Lunsford enlisted in the Mississippi Army 
National Guard. His wife, Vangi, says he reenlisted because he wanted 
to provide for his family, including his daughter, Paris Audrey, should 
something happen to him. Vangi says her husband was committed to 
fighting for freedom.
  ``Daron wanted to fight for our family's freedom,'' Vangi said. ``He 
also wanted to fight for others who couldn't go to the battlefront.''
  Brigadier General (BG) John Rhodes served as the 1-155th infantry 
battalion commander in 2005. He recently praised SGT Lunsford and the 
soldiers who died with him on that day.
  ``SGT Audrey Daron Lunsford, SPC Bryan Edward Barron, SFC Saburant 
Parker, and SGT Daniel Ryan Varnado are remembered in many ways, but we 
knew them as warriors who represented something larger than 
themselves,'' BG Rhodes said.. ``They operated in a hostile environment 
and faced the dangers of combat on a regular basis. Yet, if given the 
choice, they would not have wanted it any other way. They sacrificed 
their lives trying to provide a better life for people who they did not 
know. This is who they were and what they represented. They exemplified 
the modern day Mississippi Riflemen. Stand Fast, Mississippians! Stand 
Fast!''
  During Operation Iraqi Freedom, Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Andrew 
Robertson served as company commander of Charlie Company, 1-155th 
Infantry Regiment, MS Army National Guard, Biloxi, Mississippi, serving 
operational control under 2-11 Armed Cavalry Regiment (ACR), U.S. Army. 
He says there were no greater people than the Charlie Company soldiers 
who endured being in the most dangerous and highest casualty area of 
operation as part of OIF III under Task Force 155 Heavy Brigade Combat 
Team.
  ``In 2005, there were no greater Americans than our fallen patriots, 
Charlie Company infantrymen and their families. None greater. This, I 
believe, America needs to know,'' LTC Robertson said.
  SGT Daron is survived by his wife Vangi, daughter, Paris Audrey, 
mother Martha Sue Lunsford, and siblings; Donna Miller, Danny Lunsford, 
David Lunsford, Kim Lunsford Diffree, Michael Lunsford, and Alton 
Lunsford.
  SGT Lunsford's devotion to America and the sacrifice he made will not 
be forgotten.

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