[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 13]
[Senate]
[Pages 17796-17797]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES

  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 
Batesville, IN. Sgt. Chad L. Keith, 21 years old, was killed in Baghdad 
on July 7, 2003 when he was ambushed while on patrol with his unit. 
Chad joined the Army with his entire life before him. He chose to risk 
everything to fight for the values Americans hold close to our hearts, 
in a land halfway around the world.
  Chad was the eleventh Hoosier soldier to be killed while serving his 
country in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Today, I join Chad's family, his 
friends, and the entire Batesville 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 Chad, a memory that will burn brightly 
during these continuing days of conflict and grief.

[[Page 17797]]

  Chad Keith spoke to his mother over the phone only days before his 
death, telling her that he was hot and tired, but proud to be making a 
difference in the world and following in the footsteps of several of 
his uncles who also served in the military. He was described by 
teachers and classmates as a polite, respectful young man who always 
had a smile on his face.
  Chad was born in Pennsylvania, then moved to Newark, OH, before his 
family settled in Batesville. Chad graduated from Batesville High 
School in 2000 and then joined the Army, where he was assigned to the 
elite 82nd Airborne. Friends and family say that serving in the 
military had been a lifelong dream for Chad, who was only days away 
from being promoted to sergeant, an honor that now has been awarded 
posthumously. Chad leaves behind his parents, Kimberly and Mark 
Hitzges, two sisters, Courtney and Nicole, and a brother, Alex.
  As I search for words to do justice in honoring Chad Keith'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 here, 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 Chad Keith's actions will live on 
far longer than any record of these words.
  It is my sad duty to enter the name of Chad L. Keith 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 Chad'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 God 
bless the United States of America.

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