[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 56 (Wednesday, March 25, 2026)]
[House]
[Page H2681]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING THE LIFE OF SERGEANT BENJAMIN N. PENNINGTON

  (Mr. Crank of Colorado was recognized to address the House for 5 
minutes.)
  Mr. CRANK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join the nation in mourning 
the loss of Sergeant Benjamin N. Pennington, assigned to the 1st 
Battalion, 1st Space Brigade in my district at Fort Carson in Colorado 
Springs.
  A Kentucky native, Benjamin had the drive to serve instilled in him 
from a young age. Even as a kid, he knew he wanted to be an American 
soldier. Here beside me is one of his drawings he made in kindergarten 
where he wrote: ``I love America because I want to fight for my 
country,'' at 5 years old. He would even spend all day outside playing 
Army man with his friends and with his neighbors, dreaming of the day 
he would be able to wear a uniform. He enjoyed watching the Military 
Channel and reading books about the military. Even his childhood 
bedroom was decorated with Army prints and military planes hanging from 
the ceiling.
  As a teenager, Benjamin enjoyed playing sports, but he dedicated most 
of his time to Boy Scouts, later proving his dedication to serving by 
achieving the rank of Eagle Scout.
  In growing up, many of his teachers recognized all the qualities of 
an American hero. With his determination, his compassion, and his 
natural charismatic demeanor, no act of service was ever too small.
  In 2017, at age 18, just one month after graduating high school and 
his Eagle Scout ceremony, Benjamin enlisted in the United States Army 
as a supply unit specialist, where he quickly earned the trust of his 
colleagues and senior officials.
  He spent much of his career stationed at Fort Polk in Louisiana, and 
he served a tour in Korea before ultimately being stationed at Fort 
Carson. While there, Benjamin fell in love with the beauty of the 
nature and the mountains of Colorado Springs. It was there that he also 
found the comfort of home in church, giving his life to Christ through 
baptism in January of this year.
  While talking to Benjamin's father, Tim, a great man, he told me that 
Benjamin enjoyed going to Major League Baseball games and had the goal 
to see a game at every MLB stadium.
  Benjamin was deployed in support of Operation Epic Fury, answering 
the call to defend our freedoms from those who sought to harm our 
country. Tragically, on March 8, Benjamin was only 26 years young when 
he gave the ultimate sacrifice, succumbing to his injuries during an 
enemy attack at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia. His sacrifice 
is a grave and sobering reminder of the dangers our men and women in 
uniform face in the Middle East and across the globe to defend our 
Nation and our freedoms.
  During Benjamin's time in service, he earned many honors, including 
the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Army Commendation 
Medal. In recognition of his true bravery and his true sacrifice, the 
United States Army has announced that he will be posthumously promoted 
to the rank of staff sergeant, an enduring testament to the courage and 
sacrifice to our Nation that will not be forgotten.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join me in honoring Sergeant Pennington's 
noble sacrifice.

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