[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 196 (Friday, December 1, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1637]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF FALLEN MISSISSIPPI SOLDIER ARMY SERGEANT (SGT) 
                           GREGORY LEROY TULL

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TRENT KELLY

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, December 1, 2017

  Mr. KELLY of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in memory of Army 
Sergeant (SGT) Gregory Leroy Tull who paid the ultimate sacrifice while 
defending our nation on November 25, 2005, during Operation Iraqi 
Freedom. SGT Tull was killed when an improvised explosive device 
detonated near the armored Humvee he was riding in during combat 
operations in Anbar Province, Iraq. SGT Tull was the gunner on the 
Humvee. SGT Tull was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 194th Field 
Artillery, Iowa Army National Guard, Storm Lake, Iowa. At the time of 
his death, SGT Tull was temporarily assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 
114th Field Artillery, Mississippi Army National Guard.
  According to the Associated Press, SGT Tull enlisted in the Iowa Army 
National Guard in 2002 and graduated from Pocahontas Area High School 
the following year. He then attended South Dakota State University 
before volunteering for Operation Iraqi Freedom in November 2004.
  Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Gregory O. Hapgood, a National Guard 
spokesman, said SGT Tull was proud of his service. ``He was a very 
bright young man and he really was a go-to guy in his unit,'' LTC 
Hapgood said. ``He was a guy who didn't shirk his duty. He wanted to be 
where it was happening.''
  Jeff Tuttle, a high school friend of SGT Tull, paid tribute to him in 
a post on a memorial website. ``I have been a personal witness to his 
good deeds for many years,'' Jeff said. ``He had tremendous character 
and strength and I don't ever remember him getting into any sort of 
trouble whatsoever. I carry a picture of him in my wallet and will do 
so for the rest of my life, to be reminded of his bravery for 
inspiration. He is greatly missed, especially by his parents and 
brother who handled this hardship with tremendous dignity and class.''
  Greg Tull, SGT Tull's father, thanked more than 100 people who posted 
tributes to his son on a memorial website. ``I want to thank everybody 
for their support and for having Greg as a friend,'' Mr. Tull said. ``! 
never knew how many lives Greg touched. He is a very special person and 
his mom and I miss him every day and every minute of every day. God 
bless you and pray for the rest of the soldiers killed in action or 
wounded or still over there fighting to keep us safe. God bless 
America.''
  SGT Tull's funeral was held at Faith Lutheran Church in Pocahontas, 
Iowa. It was attended by hundreds of people including family, friends, 
and fellow soldiers. Law enforcement officers from each of the 
Pocahontas County law enforcement agencies stood watch outside of the 
church. A sign in front of the church read, ``SGT Greg Tull, The Go-To 
Guy.'' SGT Tull was buried at the Indian Mound Cemetery, south of 
Humboldt
  SGT Tull is survived by his parents, Gary and Eileen Tull; his 
brother, Bryan Tull; his grandparents, Bill and Janet Velau and Erland 
and Phyllis Nelson.
  SGT Tull was awarded the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Army Good 
Conduct Medal, the Combat Action Badge, and the Mississippi Medal of 
Valor.
  SGT Tull demonstrated courage and bravery while proudly serving our 
nation. His sacrifice will always be remembered.

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