[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 71 (Wednesday, May 1, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S2560]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                         Specialist Blake Kelly

  Mrs. FISCHER. Mr. President, I rise today to continue my tribute to 
Nebraska heroes--the men and women who have given their lives defending 
our freedom in Iraq and Afghanistan. Each of these Nebraskans has a 
powerful story to tell.
  Today I will reflect upon the life of Nebraska Army National Guard 
SPC Blake Kelly. Blake was a typical smalltown Nebraska boy. Born and 
raised in Shelby, NE, which has a population of just over 700, Blake 
lived next to the city park. His parents, Randy and Patty, have lived 
in the same house for 44 years.
  Blake's early life was filled with football, track, lifeguarding at 
the local swimming pool in the summer, band major duties, and playing 
the drums. In fact, he met his future wife, Christina, at band practice 
in 1997. He loved to play the drums, and the neighborhood, well, always 
knew when he was practicing.
  When he was old enough to cruise around Shelby, his dad, Randy, 
bought him a 1976 Dodge Charger. Every smalltown Nebraska boy needs a 
car. Blake knew everyone around town and everyone knew him. He was 
always happy and eager to help someone solve a problem.
  In high school, one of his teachers encouraged him to join the 
National Guard. For Blake, this was an opportunity to spread his wings 
and go to college using the Guard's tuition assistance program.
  In 2000, between his junior and senior years in high school, he went 
through Army basic training at Fort Jackson, SC. Before graduation in 
2001, he asked Christina to marry him. After becoming engaged and 
graduating from high school, Blake attended advanced training at Fort 
Knox, in Kentucky, that included Ranger training. He returned home in 
September 2001 just as life in the United States was changing forever 
following the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
  Shortly after, Blake enrolled at Southeast Community College in 
Beatrice to study animal science. There he became interested in rodeo 
and joined the school's rodeo team. The year 2002 was a busy one for 
Blake, filled with school, National Guard training with the 1st 
Squadron, 167th Cavalry, known as the Cav, and wedding planning. He and 
Christina tied the knot on September 7, 2002, just as the Cav was 
preparing to deploy to Bosnia.
  At that time, early Active-Duty Army resources were devoted to 
fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq, but the United States still had 
significant commitments to peacekeeping operations in the Balkans. The 
Cav's mission was an ideal one for the National Guard and a critical 
element in our national security.
  The Cav arrived in Bosnia in January 2003, and just before Blake left 
Nebraska with the unit, Christina learned that she was pregnant. In 
Bosnia, Blake delved into the mission at hand. He was always ready and 
eager to serve, and he connected well with the local population. Unit 
chaplains needed help, and so he embraced his Catholic faith even more 
deeply by becoming a Eucharistic minister and actively supporting 
chapel programs.
  On July 29, 2003, Blake was killed in an accident involving his 
convoy and a local vehicle. The loss of Blake was the first casualty of 
a deployed Nebraska Army National Guard member in over a decade. His 
community and the entire State were shocked.
  He was buried at St. Mary's Catholic Church in rural Nebraska on 
August 6, 2003. The entire town turned out for the funeral, as did 
freedom riders from throughout Nebraska. Blake's son Simon was born in 
September 2003, the month the Cav returned home from their deployment.
  Today, Simon is a freshman in high school, and Christina maintains a 
tight relationship with Blake's family. Randy and Patty, his parents, 
still live in the same house in Shelby.
  In 2014, the town of Shelby dedicated a veterans' memorial, and 
Blake's family played a prominent role in the dedication ceremony. 
Blake's spirit lives on, and he is remembered in so many ways.
  SPC Blake Kelly embodied the pride of his small town and his State. 
He served his country with distinction, and he loved his family. I am 
honored to tell his story.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
  The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Ms. STABENOW. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so 
ordered.