[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 158 (Tuesday, September 14, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6476-S6477]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



              Honoring Corporal Daegan William-Tyeler Page

  Mr. SASSE. Mr. President, I rise today to speak in memory and in 
honor of Corporal Page, a 23-year-old marine from Nebraska. He gave his 
life defending Americans and our allies in the chaos of the Kabul 
airport as many tried to escape the capture of Afghanistan by a band of 
blood-thirsty terrorists.
  Corporal Page is 1 of 13 heroes who gave his life that day defending 
the Kabul airport in the midst of that chaotic evacuation. The American 
people owe these men and women a debt of gratitude that we will never 
be able to repay.
  Corporal Page lost his life while honoring our Nation's promise that 
we would leave no one behind. He and his fellow marines never wavered. 
They didn't fail in executing their duty. They were given an impossible 
mission, and these men and women fought to the end. It is now our duty 
to stand with these families, the families of each of these 13, and to 
honor their sacrifices.
  Last Friday, in Omaha, thousands and thousands and thousands of 
Nebraskans lined the streets to give Corporal Page a hero's welcome as 
his body was returned home. As his family said, ``Our hearts are still 
broken, but we are the lucky few who know what it is'' to have the 
entire city of Omaha give you a hug.
  We are called to gather around one another. We are called to join 
with the grieving and to mourn the loss of these brave men and women.
  Corporal Page was a Nebraskan who made his family and his State and 
his entire Nation proud. He left for boot camp shortly after graduating 
from Millard South High School, and he was proud to serve in the 2nd 
Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment with his fellow marines.
  He enjoyed playing hockey. One of my kids played hockey against him. 
He

[[Page S6477]]

went to Millard South High School, but he played hockey for Westside 
and the Fremont team my kids played on. They got to compete against him 
and know him as a competitor.
  He enjoyed hunting, being in the outdoors. He especially enjoyed the 
water. He was a Boy Scout in Troop 331. He loved spending time with his 
family and friends. He was a member of his local church, the Lutheran 
church of Millard, St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Millard.
  Like so many Nebraskans, he was a die-hard sports fan, his favorite 
team being the Chicago Blackhawks.
  Corporal Page gave the last full measure of devotion to his country. 
His mission was clear. In the chaos of Kabul, Corporal Page was there 
to protect and save lives, and that is exactly what he did. Marines 
held the line and pulled both Americans and our Afghan allies to 
safety. Marines pulled children out of hell, gave them water, and got 
them to safety.
  Corporal Page gave his life so that others would live. Nebraskans 
will never forget him. Heroes like Corporal Page didn't fail us, and we 
can't forget them. We must keep our promise to honor his family, to 
teach our families about their sacrifice, and to strive to live lives 
of gratitude. It is times like this where we rediscover the heart of 
our country. Communities that pull together--as happened last Friday 
and will happen this Friday at his funeral at St. Paul's Lutheran--we 
pray together, make meals for each other, and we are reminded of the 
sacrifice so many families have made.
  Today, and in the days to come, we in Nebraska will honor Corporal 
Page, and we across this country will honor the 13 who fell that day. 
Your sacrifice is a debt we can never repay.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Texas.