[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 87 (Thursday, May 23, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3097-S3098]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              MEMORIAL DAY

  Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, on this Memorial Day, I join all Americans 
in recognizing the brave men and women in uniform who have made the 
ultimate sacrifice while serving our country. Freedom is not free; it 
costs the blood shed by America's sons and daughters, who unselfishly 
served their country and laid down their lives for its protection. The 
impact of their sacrifice is enduring, forever felt by the parents, 
spouses, children, friends, and loved ones they left behind.
  Army CPT Brian Bunting, known by all his friends as Bubba, grew up in 
Potomac, MD. He was a distinguished athlete and scholar during his 6 
years at the Bullis School, and chose to attend the U.S. Military 
Academy. Shortly after the September 11 terrorist attacks, Brian 
graduated in 2002 and was commissioned as an Army officer. Brian was 
known for his infectious laughter and humor and eventually married 
Nicole Pascal Bunting in 2006; Nikki had known Brian since the sixth 
grade. Shortly after Nicole gave birth to their infant son, Connor, 
Brian would answer the call of duty when activated by the Individual 
Ready Reserve to deploy to Afghanistan with the 27th Infantry Brigade 
Combat Team. During his deployment, he returned home for leave and was 
able to spend a short period with his wife and son, Connor. A few days 
after his return to Afghanistan, Brian was killed by a roadside bomb in 
Kandahar on February 24, 2009. At the age of 29, not only did Brian 
leave behind his wife Nikki and infant son Connor, but he also left 
behind another son, Cooper, who would be born months after Brian's 
death.
  I remember the sacrifice of Baltimore native SGT Damion G. Campbell. 
The Forest Park High School faculty described Damion as being ``very 
mild-tempered and sophisticated,'' as someone who served as a leader 
and role model for younger students. Damion's mother, Donna Robinson, 
described him as an ``outgoing, fun-loving and joyful person'' who was 
passionate about the Army. Sergeant Campbell was a 23-year-old Army 
medic serving in Afghanistan and was killed in action on August 26, 
2005, when a bomb exploded near his vehicle during a patrol in the 
Khayr Kot district. We remember him today for his ultimate sacrifice 
and thank him for his service and passion for America.
  Like Sergeant Campbell, Army SPL Toccara Green of Rosedale, MD, also 
excelled at Forest Park High School, where she spent all 4 years in the 
Junior ROTC program. She graduated from high school in 2000 and 
attended Norfolk State University in Virginia,

[[Page S3098]]

where she studied telecommunications and broadcasting. In 2002, Toccara 
joined the Army and was assigned to the 10th Mountain Division. While 
she was deployed to Iraq, part of her job was operating a 50-caliber 
machine gun on an Army supply truck during convoy operations, a 
critical role to protect the convoy and thwart enemy attacks. She once 
told her family ``her ideal situation was to go out fighting for our 
country.'' Toccara had an opportunity to return home to Baltimore on 
leave during her deployment. Less than a week after redeploying to 
Iraq, Specialist Green was killed at the age of 23 by a roadside bomb 
and became Maryland's first woman soldier killed in combat in Iraq.
  Across Maryland and across the country, there are countless others 
like Captain Bunting, Sergeant Campbell, Specialist Green, and their 
families who have made the ultimate sacrifice throughout the history of 
this country. Their sense of duty, honor, and country defined their 
character and were reflective of their actions. They not only represent 
the best of who we are as a nation, they are examples of who we all 
should aspire to be.
  Freedom isn't free. The incredible courage and actions of those who 
have fallen have enabled our freedom and way of life to continue and at 
such a profound price. This weekend, I will pray for the families in 
Maryland, and across the United States, who have lost loved ones 
defending our freedom. I will also pray for the safe return of our 
brave men and women currently serving abroad. Let us never forget their 
service, and may we forever honor their sacrifice.

                          ____________________