[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Pages 15943-15944]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES


                In Memory of Staff Sergeant Aaron White

  Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the memory of a 
remarkable man. SSG Aaron Dean White

[[Page 15944]]

was an Oklahoman through and through. People say he was a hard worker, 
dedicated, friendly, and that he loved his family and country. Those 
who knew him best remembered him as being always willing to help 
others. He even served alongside his father as a volunteer firefighter 
for the town of Sasakwa, OK. A former resident of both Sasakwa and 
Shawnee, OK, he graduated from Shawnee High School in 1994. He entered 
the U.S. Marine Corps shortly thereafter, gladly serving his Nation for 
9 years, and eventually moving up to the position of crew chief on a 
CH-46 Sea Knight Helicopter.
  Staff Sergeant White was passionate about his job--excited to serve--
proud to be a marine. After being deployed to Iraq in January of 2003, 
he was upset because he was not as close to the action as he had hoped. 
A passionate lover of flying who had earned his pilot's license, he 
volunteered to be a gunner on a helicopter, just so he would have the 
opportunity to fly more often.
  On Monday, May 19, Staff Sergeant White was one of four individuals 
on board a helicopter on a resupply mission when the chopper went down 
into the Shat Ahilala River in Iraq. Tragically he, along with four 
other marines, did not survive the incident. This courageous man who 
was living out his dreams lost his life while defending his country.
  Staff Sergeant White's remarkable life of helping others was 
commemorated at his funeral ceremony in Wewoka, OK, at which friends 
and family filled the chapel. His many loved ones grieved, including 
his parents, Shawnee, OK, residents Darrell and Karen White; his wife 
Michele; his daughter Brianna Nicole; and his sister, Sergeant Patricia 
LaBar, who was serving with the U.S. Army in Germany when her brother 
passed into the next life. However, I know they are incredibly proud of 
this man--son, husband, father, and brother--lover of life and soldier 
of freedom. He is a man who has set a higher standard for all of us to 
follow. We will never forget him, SSG Aaron Dean White.


                  In Memory of Petty Officer Bollinger

  Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, no one can truly put into words the 
magnitude of respect and admiration we feel for those who sacrifice 
their lives so that we might continue to live in freedom. However, I am 
honored today to try, since the young man whom I pay tribute to was a 
proud son of my home State the great State of Oklahoma.
  Petty Officer 3rd Class Doyle Wayne Bollinger grew up in the 
community of Poteau, OK. A member of the Poteau Valley Baptist Church, 
he was remembered by those who knew him best as one with a generous 
heart--never thinking of himself, but devoting his time to the service 
of others.
  Upon graduating from Poteau High School, Petty Officer Bollinger 
heard the call to serve his country. He joined the United States Navy, 
becoming a member of the Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133, based 
in Gulfport, MS. In January of 2003, he and his fellow patriots were 
sent to Iraq, and possibly into harm's way.
  On Friday, June 6, 2003 Petty Officer Bollinger was with his 
battalion, repairing a bridge across the Tigris River in Iraq. He was 
tragically killed when unexploded ordnance accidentally detonated 
nearby. At the age of 21 this man lost his life so that we might stand 
here today, without fear, and in freedom.
  I cannot fully describe to you the pain in the hearts of his loved 
ones as they sat at his funeral on the grounds of Poteau High School, 
where they had watched him graduate only a few years earlier. Our 
thoughts and prayers are with them now. And though we are all grieved 
at the loss of this man, we shall never cease to be proud of him--
Oklahoma's son--Petty Officer 3rd Class Doyle Wayne Bollinger.


            In Memory of Private First Class Jerod R. Dennis

  Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the memory of a man 
who, at such a young age, displayed the courage and valor of a true 
American hero. Private First Class Jerod R. Dennis was a proud son of 
the great State of Oklahoma, growing up in the community of Antlers. 
Remembered as being energetic, outgoing, and humorous, he graduated in 
2002 from Antlers High School, where he was a standout tennis player, 
twice making it to the State championships.
  Even before the attacks on America on 9/11, PVT Dennis knew that he 
wanted to dedicate himself to service in the United States Army. He 
enlisted prior to his graduation from high school, and arrived in boot 
camp merely 3 weeks after receiving his diploma. His parents, Jerry and 
Jane Dennis of Antlers, realized that their son was proud to be 
answering the call to serve his country. Despite their worry for his 
safety, they sent with him their support and love as he was assigned to 
the 3rd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment based out of Fort 
Bragg, NC.
  As a part of the U.S. effort to stamp out the threat of terrorism, 
PVT Dennis, now an Army sharpshooter, along with the rest of his 
regiment, was sent to fight in Afghanistan. On April 25, 2003, PVT 
Dennis was on patrol in eastern Afghanistan with other soldiers when 
they drove into an ambush. A firefight with rebel fighters quickly 
followed. When his sergeant was shot, PVT Dennis made his way to a 
foxhole and provided cover fire as his comrades took the sergeant to 
safety. Tragically, PVT Dennis was mortally injured in the process.
  At just 19 years of age, PVT Dennis lay dying from his wounds, 
worrying more about the physical condition of his fellow soldiers than 
his own health and well being. PVT Dennis passed on to the next life 
that day, but no one could deny the bravery displayed by this young man 
from a small town in far southeastern Oklahoma.
  Hundreds gathered at the funeral for PVT Dennis, held at the First 
Baptist Church in Antlers. They will never forget this incredible young 
man who displayed such great love for his country. As Army Brigadier 
General Abe Turner stated so eloquently at the funeral ceremony, ``We 
will remember you. We will honor you, and you will always be a hero.'' 
He is Oklahoma's hero--Private First Class Jerod R. Dennis.

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