[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Pages 15546-15547]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES

  Mr. LUGAR. Mr. President, 2 months ago when President Bush declared 
an end to combat operations in Iraq, I rose to pay tribute to the seven 
service members with Indiana roots who sacrificed their lives in 
Operation Iraqi Freedom. I observed that while these seven fine young 
men were engaged in a noble and worthy cause--making the world safer 
for all freedom-loving peoples--their deaths again showed us that 
freedom never comes without a heavy price in human lives.
  At the time I delivered those remarks, I and all Americans understood 
that there would still be dangerous times ahead for our service 
members, but we sincerely hoped there would be no more reports of 
American service members killed in combat operations.
  Today, I am sad to report, our troops in Iraq are still very much at 
risk of injury or the ultimate sacrifice as they work to restore order 
and a civil society in this troubled country. It seems that almost 
every day we receive news of soldiers being ambushed or attacked in 
hit-and-run type incidents. More than 40 American troops have fallen 
since May 1st. We are still suffering combat casualties, and it is 
obvious that reconstruction of Iraq is going to be a lengthy and 
difficult process.
  During these past 2 months, three of those who fell were brave young 
men with Indiana roots. Three more Indiana families have been 
devastated by the loss of a loved one. Today, I would like to pay 
tribute to these three fine young men.
  Marine Lance Corporal Matthew R. Smith of Anderson, IN, was killed on 
May 10 in Kuwait when the Humvee he was riding in struck a trailer in a 
military convoy. Matthew, a Marine Corps Reservist, was 20 years old 
and a sophomore at Indiana University. He went overseas with his unit 
in February and had traveled all the way to Baghdad while providing 
support to Marine combat forces.
  On the day Matthew died, his father, David Smith, received the first 
letter from his son since he went overseas. Matthew wrote that he was 
proud to be in Iraq as a marine fighting for his country's freedom.
  Matthew Smith will be missed.
  Army Private Jesse Halling of Indianapolis was killed on June 10 in 
the city of Tikrit when his military police squad became engaged in a 
firefight after being ambushed. Jesse was in the turret of a Humvee 
firing a machine gun at their attackers when a rocket-propelled grenade 
struck the vehicle. His commander has recommended him for a Silver Star 
Medal for bravery under fire.
  Jesse was 19 years old and had enlisted in the Army right after his 
graduation from Ben Davis High School, where he had participated in 
Junior ROTC. His friends remember him as a fun-loving teenager with a 
passion for

[[Page 15547]]

motorcycles. His fellow soldiers will remember him as a hero whose 
quick actions may well have saved the lives of others.
  Jesse Halling will be missed.
  Army Private Shawn Pahnke of Shelbyville was killed on June 16 in 
Baghdad, felled by a sniper round fired in the dead of night at the 
Humvee he was riding in. Shawn was 25 years old. He had joined the Army 
to become a crew member on an M-1 Abrams tank and was serving with the 
1st Armored Division in Germany before deploying to Iraq.
  Shawn leaves behind a wife, Elisha, and a 3-month-old son, Dean 
Patrick, whom he never had a chance to see. Shawn was in Germany when 
the baby was born, but the staff at Major Hospital in Shelbyville 
hooked up a phone connection to the delivery room so that Shawn could 
hear his child's first cries.
  Shawn Pahnke will be missed.
  All of Indiana mourns for the loss of these brave young men. Our 
hearts go out to these families.


     Honoring Company A, 8th Tank Battalion, Marine Forces Reserve

  Mr. BAYH. Mr. President, on behalf of the State of Indiana, I wish to 
recognize Maj. William P. Peeples of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves and 
his fellow marines of Company A, 8th Tank Battalion, on the successful 
completion of their mission while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom. 
Major Peeples is from Indianapolis, IN, and it is with sincere pride 
that I congratulate him on a successful tour of duty leading his 
division through its service in Iraq.
  The unit was among the first involved in fighting when Operation 
Iraqi Freedom began this March. Some members from the 3rd Platoon also 
assisted special forces with the rescue and recovery of PFC Jessica 
Lynch and other remembers of her unit.
  We are indebted for the many contributions and tremendous sacrifices, 
past and present, that the men and women of the Marine Corps have made 
in service to our great Nation. The strength, courage, and character 
they exemplify can only inspire the admiration and appreciation of all 
Americans.
  Through their rapid mobilization and superior performance in the line 
of duty, the marines of Company A, 8th Tank Battalion, serve as shining 
examples of the Corps' motto ``First to Fight.'' I know I speak for all 
Hoosiers when I thank the returning members, and welcome them back 
home.


                    Honoring Private Shawn D. Pahnke

  Mr. BAYH. Mr. President, I rise today with a heavy heart and deep 
sense of gratitude to honor the life of a brave young man from 
Shelbyville, IN. Private Shawn D. Pahnke, twenty-five years old, was 
killed in Baghdad on June 17, 2003 when he was shot in the back by an 
Iraqi sniper. Shawn joined the Army with his entire life before him, 
with a young wife and a newborn son at home. He chose to risk 
everything to fight for the values Americans hold close to our hearts, 
in a land halfway around the world.
  Shawn was the eighth Hoosier soldier to be killed while serving his 
country in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Today, I join Shawn's family, his 
friends, and the entire Shelbyville community in mourning his death. 
While we struggle to bear our sorrow over his death, we can also take 
pride in the example he set, bravely fighting to make the world a safer 
place. It is this courage and strength of character that people will 
remember when they think of Shawn, a memory that will burn brightly 
during these continuing days of conflict and grief.
  Shawn Pahnke wrote to his family only weeks before his death, telling 
them that he was proud to serve in the Army and to follow in the 
footsteps of his father, a Vietnam War veteran, and his grandfather, a 
World War II veteran. Shawn grew up in Manhattan, IL and graduated form 
Lincoln Way High School in New Lenox, IL. He then joined the Army and 
served as part of the 1st Armored Division's 1st Brigade. Shawn leaves 
behind a wife, Elisha and their three-month-old son, Dean Patrick, who 
was born after Shawn was sent to Friedberg Army Base in Germany. He 
also leaves behind his parents, Tom and Linda Pahnke and two older 
brothers.
  As I search for words to do justice in honoring Shawn Pahnke's 
sacrifice, I am reminded of President Lincoln's remarks as he addressed 
the families of the fallen soldiers in Gettysburg: ``We cannot 
dedicate, we cannot consecrate, we cannot hallow this ground. The brave 
men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far 
above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note nor 
long remember what we say her, but it can never forget what they did 
here.'' This statement is just as true today as it was nearly 150 years 
ago, as I am certain that the impact of Shawn Pahnke's actions will 
live on far longer than any record of these words.
  It is my sad duty to enter the name of Shawn D. Pahnke in the 
official record of the United States Senate for his service to this 
country and for his profound commitment to freedom, democracy and 
peace. When I think about this just cause in which we are engaged, and 
the unfortunate pain that comes with the loss of our heroes, I hope 
that families like Shawn's can find comfort in the words of the prophet 
Isaiah who said, ``He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord 
God will wipe away tears from off all faces.''
  May God grant strength and peace to those who mourn, and may Gold 
bless the United States of America.

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