[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 114 (Tuesday, July 9, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4709-S4710]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                        Remembering River Nimmo

  Mr. COTTON. Madam President, I want to call your attention to a story 
that is tragic but also heartwarming and uplifting.
  Honorary Colonel River ``Oakley'' Nimmo of Camden, AR, passed away 
last month at the age of 5 after a protracted struggle with his enemy, 
a rare form of cancer called neuroblastoma. Oakley's family remembers 
him as a ``sweet, brave boy'' who liked to play with power wheels and 
toy guns, but all those who knew him or who have learned about him will 
remember Oakley for an act of service that perhaps only a child could 
perform.
  Oakley wanted to be an Army man when he grew up. Even in the advanced 
stages of his fight with cancer, you would find him at the hospital 
wearing camouflage fatigues and a helmet, with his trusty rifle by his 
side and a smile on his face.
  Oakley fought his cancer valiantly, going above and beyond the call 
of duty. He was strengthened along the way by his Arkansas neighbors, 
who held yard sales and sold bracelets to help the Nimmo family pay for 
his care. He was also supported by 20,000 prayer warriors on a Facebook 
page entitled ``Prayers for Oakley Nimmo.'' But ultimately it was God's 
will that Oakley should return home to him. He passed away on the 20th 
of June.
  In light of Oakley's heroic struggle, as well as his dream of 
becoming an Army man, Oakley was named an honorary colonel in the 
Arkansas National Guard. In the days leading up to his funeral, his 
family made a simple request: that veterans and servicemembers show up 
at the funeral in their uniform to give Oakley the proper sendoff. Word 
got around, and dozens came. Some traveled from nearby towns. Most had 
never even met this little boy, but it didn't matter--he was a soldier 
like one of them. Soldiers from the Arkansas National Guard provided 
funeral honors for Oakley. They presented Oakley's mother, Shelby, with 
the flag and a special ID tag with

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his name on it. Like a true soldier, Oakley was sent off from this 
world to the moving tune of ``Taps'' played by a military bugler.
  Colonel Nimmo's tour of duty on this Earth was brief, but he did 
teach an important lesson to all of us. At times, some voices may 
express doubts about our military, but Oakley reminded us--as perhaps 
only a child could--that being an Army man, a brave protector of our 
Nation, is one of the highest honors to which an American can be 
called.
  The veterans and the servicemembers who attended Oakley's funeral 
were there to honor him, but, in fact, it was a double honor because 
through his life and dreams, little Oakley honored them in return.
  Oakley looked up to our troops in life. Now he looks down on them 
from above, where he will remain in God's presence and our memory as a 
brave fighter against cancer, an inspiration, and indeed, for all time, 
an Army man.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Scott of Florida). The clerk will call the 
roll.
  The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.