[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 131 (Wednesday, August 2, 2017)]
[Senate]
[Page S4707]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



             Tribute to Fallen Soldiers' Motorcycle Brigade

  Mr. MERKLEY. Mr. President, a few moments ago, I had the opportunity 
to meet with a group called the Tribute to Fallen Soldiers. They have 
an annual cross-country motorcycle ride in honor of soldiers who died 
during combat. The motorcycle brigade escorts the Fallen Soldiers 
Memorial Flame from Eugene, OR, all the way to Arlington National 
Cemetery. Along the way, they visit Gold Star families--families who 
have a loved one who died on the battlefield in service to the United 
States of America.
  One couple who came today was Terry Burgess and Elizabeth Burgess, 
whose son Bryan lost his life fighting in Afghanistan, and they shared 
with me, in the military tradition, a medal.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to use a visual aid.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. MERKLEY. Mr. President, this medal has a picture of their son. It 
says: ``In memory of SSG Bryan A. Burgess, who lived from April 23, 
1981, through March 29, 2011.'' On the back of it, it has a picture of 
a memorial that shows a pair of boots and a rifle and a hat and ``never 
forget.''
  The Tribute to Fallen Soldiers is about never forgetting our fallen 
soldiers. We put them into situations of enormous stress and challenge 
and danger, and they are there for all of us. In those particular 
situations, time and again, one of our soldiers loses their life. So 
may we never forget our soldiers who have died, our soldiers who have 
been wounded, and may we continue to reach out to Gold Star families to 
provide a community of support to them.
  I completely respect and appreciate the Tribute to Fallen Soldiers' 
motorcycle brigade that rides across the country visiting with Gold 
Star families, making sure they have that community of support and 
making sure they know that the sacrifices of their son or daughter are 
not forgotten.