[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 144 (Monday, August 9, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6107-S6108]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           HONORING CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER 2 BRYAN J. NICHOLS

  Mr. MORAN. Madam President, 10 years ago I attended the memorial 
service for CW2 Bryan J. Nichols. I vividly remember the outpouring of 
support from the Hays community as hundreds of people lined the streets 
with American flags to honor their hometown hero.
  On Friday, August 6, 2021, a memorilization ceremony was held in New 
Century, KS, by the Army Reserve Center and Aviation Support Center to 
once again honor the bravery and sacrifice of Chief Nichols.
  I have been told that Bryan knew his life's purpose was to become a 
soldier, a calling he pursued to defend our freedom.
  He took his oath of enlistment in 1996, swearing to protect our 
country from enemies foreign and domestic. After 9/11, he answered our 
country's call to defend our homeland, serving on

[[Page S6108]]

multiple tours abroad, including in Iraq.
  As we approach the 20th anniversary of 9/11, the way Americans like 
Bryan dedicated themselves to their country following the attacks 
continues to move and inspire me.
  After graduating flight school in 2008, he was assigned as a pilot to 
the Army Reserve's 7th Battalion of the 158th Aviation Regiment in New 
Century, KS. He deployed in May 2011 in support of Operation Enduring 
Freedom as a CH-47 Chinook pilot.
  On August 6, 2011, he gave his life for his country alongside 29 of 
his brothers in arms when his helicopter was shot down by enemy fire. 
It remains the single deadliest loss of U.S. forces during the war in 
Afghanistan.
  The ultimate sacrifice he made a decade ago is a painful reminder 
that freedom is not free. And that it is the solemn duty of our Nation 
to make certain his sacrifice--and those of all American heroes--are 
never forgotten.
  On Friday, that duty was fulfilled in a particularly special way with 
the Memorialization Ceremony remembering Chief Warrant Officer 2 
Nichols as a fallen hero and beloved member of this community.
  As Kansans so naturally do, we have also seen the Hays community 
continue to keep his legacy at the forefront of our minds, from 
creating the annual Memorial Ride in his honor to dedicating the new 
flag pole outside Thomas More Prep-Marian High School in his name.
  Shortly after his passing, I was also pleased to support efforts to 
designate the junction of I-70 and US 183 as the ``CW2 Bryan J. Nichols 
fallen veterans memorial interchange.'' This designation serves as a 
reminder to all those who drive by of the heroes who have safeguarded 
our opportunity to live in the strongest, freest, and greatest Nation 
in the world.
  While Bryan was an American hero to all of us, he was also a son, 
brother, husband, and dad to those who loved him most. Military service 
is family service, and I want to recognize his family's sacrifice to 
this country as well. Thank you.
  Our nation is forever indebted to Bryan for his service.
  May God bless our servicemembers and their loved ones.

                          ____________________