[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 19]
[Senate]
[Pages 26942-26943]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES

  Mr. DODD. Mr. President, I rise to honor the memory of Pfc. Anthony 
D'Agostino, of Waterbury, CT, who was killed in Iraq this past Sunday. 
He was just 4 days short of his 21st birthday.
  Private D'Agostino was part of the U.S. Army's 16th Signal Brigade, 
based in Fort Hood, TX. He was one of 15 soldiers killed when a missile 
struck a Chinook helicopter that was carrying American troops to 
Baghdad International Airport for a trip home to spend 2 weeks with 
family and friends. I join all of America in mourning each and every 
one of these brave soldiers, and in praying for the recovery of the 20 
soldiers who were injured in the attack.
  It's a sad fact of war that as the death toll mounts, the daily 
casualty reports can become almost routine. But each time I read the 
story of a Connecticut soldier who has perished overseas and this is 
the sixth such story in this war I'm reminded of how many lives are 
touched by every single man or woman who makes the ultimate sacrifice 
so that all of us can live in peace, freedom, and security.
  Anthony was a true Connecticut son, spending virtually his entire 
life in our State. He grew up in Middlebury, attending Middlebury 
Elementary School and Memorial Middle School, and in 2001, he graduated 
from the W.F. Kaynor Regional Vocational-Technical High School, 
specializing in electricity. After graduating, he lived in Waterbury 
until he enlisted in the Army 2 years ago.
  Men and women across America who make the decision to join our Armed 
Forces do so for a variety of reasons. For Anthony D'Agostino, it was a 
decision that was forged in the fire of the attacks of September 11, 
2001. Like so many Americans, in the aftermath of those terrible 
attacks, Anthony decided that he wanted to contribute something to his 
country. Tragically, he and his family would ultimately make the most 
painful contribution of all.
  Joining the Army was a homecoming of sorts for Anthony. He was born 
in Georgia while his father Steven was stationed at Fort Benning. And 
when it was time for Anthony to enter basic training 19 years later, he 
returned to the same base where his father once served.
  Those who knew Anthony say he had a tremendous work ethic, whether 
that meant giving his all on high school sports teams, or mowing his 
grandparents' lawn with a stand-up mower. Even while he was in Iraq, he 
asked his family to send over Spanish books so he could use what little 
spare time he had to better himself. He had dreams of returning home 
and attending the U.S. Military Academy in West Point.
  Anthony D'Agostino knew he was facing serious danger when he left for 
Iraq 8 months ago. But it was a danger he was prepared and proud to 
accept as a soldier in the United States Army.
  Anthony had a sense of responsibility, dedication, and commitment 
well beyond his years. And Connecticut will never forget him.
  My heart goes out to Anthony's father Steven, his mother Deb, his 
stepfather Paul, and to his entire family.
  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I would like to take a few minutes to pay 
tribute to a truly remarkable individual whom I have had the privilege 
to know and work with, U.S. Army Lt. Colonel Patrick Sargent. Pat 
Sargent worked in my office for a year as a Congressional Fellow in 
2001. He is a helicopter pilot and is currently the commander of the 
421st Medical Battalion stationed in Germany. Lt. Colonel Sargent 
served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and is scheduled to return for a 
second deployment shortly.
  This past August, Pat received the General Benjamin O. Davis Jr. 
Award by the Tuskegee Airmen Inc., an organization dedicated to 
preserving the amazing legacy of the World War II Tuskegee Airmen. This 
award is conferred annually to ``a field grade officer who has 
exhibited outstanding performance in both professional and community 
service.'' It is the highest award given by this organization, and this 
year was the first time this honor has gone to an Army aviator.
  Who were the Tuskegee Airmen? They were a group of American heroes 
who every American should know about. In recent years we have seen a 
surge in interest in World War II and the experiences of American 
servicemen who served in the worst conflict humanity has ever seen. 
Movies such as ``Saving Private Ryan'' have done much to illustrate the 
sacrifices of our World War II veterans, and we have begun construction 
of a World War II Memorial on the Mall here in Washington. All of these 
veterans sacrificed for the allied cause against totalitarianism.
  But the Tuskegee Airmen faced an additional struggle on top of the 
war against the Axis Powers. They fought prejudice here at home, and 
they succeeded on both fronts. During World War II, the U.S. military 
began an experiment to determine whether African Americans were capable 
of successfully piloting combat aircraft. This ``experiment'' 
eventually evolved into the 332nd Fighter Group, consisting of four 
squadrons of fighter aircraft piloted entirely by African Americans. 
Under the command of then-Colonel Benjamin O. Davis, the 332nd flew 200 
missions escorting U.S. bombers over Europe. It was the only U.S. 
fighter group of the war that never lost a bomber under its protection.
  Pat Sargent is a modern-day descendent of those brave men. As I 
noted, he commands the 421st Medical Battalion. With 45 Black Hawk 
helicopters, 40 ground ambulances, 118 wheeled vehicles, and 591 
personnel, it is the U.S. Army's largest medical evacuation battalion. 
Serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Pat became the first African

[[Page 26943]]

American to command a medical evacuation battalion in combat in our 
Nation's history. The motto of the 421st is ``Anyone, Anywhere, 
Anytime.'' It is only three words in length, but it is telling 
nonetheless. The battalion's men and women are deployed to sites across 
the globe, including the Balkans, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Africa. They 
perform medical evacuations not only for American soldiers but for 
allied troops, wounded enemy soldiers that have been taken prisoner, 
and injured civilians. In Iraq, helicopters from the 421st on MedEvac 
missions are routinely fired upon. Think about that. The crews of these 
helicopters, these amazing men and women, are being shot at as they 
strive to bring life-saving medical care to Iraqis and Americans alike. 
Anyone, anywhere, anytime.
  Colonel Donald Gagliano, commander of the 30th Medical Brigade of 
which the 421st Battalion is a part, commented on Pat's recent award: 
``This exemplary senior Army aviator is the quintessence of excellence. 
He is the epitome of the Tuskegee Airman, and his character, demeanor 
and professionalism are reflective and very similar to that of Gen. 
Benjamin O. Davis Jr.''
  I cannot adequately pay tribute to Pat without also discussing his 
wife Sherry. She is also a Lt. Colonel in the Army and is currently 
stationed in Iraq as part of the 1st Armored Division. She and Pat met 
early in their careers, while they were both in training to become 
officers. Together they have a lovely daughter Samantha. Sherry has 
been in Iraq since the spring and is not scheduled to leave until 
spring, 2004.
  As Pat and Sherry have found themselves both deployed overseas, they 
have had to make arrangements for someone to look after Samantha. 
Fortunately, Sherry's parents have been able to relocate to Germany 
indefinitely to help care for Samantha.
  The Sargent family illustrates the fact that when our Nation calls 
upon our military to deploy, be it for peacekeeping, for combat, or for 
another type of operation, the sacrifices are borne by more than just 
those individuals who wear a military uniform.
  September 11, 2001, was, of course, a tragic day for all Americans. 
Some of us were touched more directly than others. As I stated, Pat 
Sargent spent 2001 as a Congressional Fellow in my Washington, DC 
office. During that time, his wife was working at the Pentagon. On that 
terrible morning of September 11, Sherry Sargent learned that two 
aircraft had struck the World Trade Center. She walked down the hall to 
an office with a TV in order to learn what was going on. At 9:40 AM, 
American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the portion of the Pentagon 
where Sherry Sargent's office was located. She lost many friends and 
coworkers that day. Had she been in her office she would almost 
certainly have been among those who were killed or injured. As soon as 
he learned of the attack on the Pentagon, Pat rushed to the scene to 
locate Sherry. He caught the last shuttle bus from Capitol Hill to the 
Pentagon before the area was sealed off. After a long search on the 
crowded Pentagon grounds, Pat was able to find Sherry and learn that 
she had, fortunately, survived the attack.
  In an e-mail to my office a few months ago, Pat noted that ``High-
tech weapons played a part in the success of this war; but, it was won 
with human capital--America's sons and daughters.'' He expressed his 
thanks for all that Congress has done to support our men and women in 
uniform.
  Well, Pat, I want to thank you--and all of our dedicated service men 
and women--for your sacrifices, your commitment, and your bravery. And 
I congratulate you for your receipt of the General Benjamin O. Davis 
Award, an honor you richly deserve.
  Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I seek recognition to honor a Virginia 
soldier, Captain John Robert Teal, who was tragically killed in action 
in Iraq on Thursday, October 23, 2003. I want to express gratitude, on 
behalf of the Senate, for his service to our Nation. The American 
people, I am certain, join me in expressing their prayers and 
compassion to his family.
  Captain John Robert Teal followed his father Joseph, a retired 
firefighter, into public service. He understood the importance of his 
present assignment and despite the personal risk, wanted to serve the 
United States and the people of Iraq during this critical time.
  A medical officer attached to the Army's 4th Infantry Division, he 
was a dedicated and compassionate young man who, according to news 
reports, spent his final days helping sick children.
  Captain Teal leaves behind his father Joseph; his mother Emmie; and 
his sister Elizabeth Kormanyos.
  His parents, Joseph and Emmie, with whom I have had the pleasure to 
speak, albeit under tragic circumstances, are brave souls who have 
sacrificed so much for this Nation. We owe them and the other families 
who have lost their loved ones a debt of gratitude.
  John was a 1990 graduate of Benedictine High School. Upon graduating 
from Benedictine, he attended the Virginia Military Institute from 
which he graduated in 1994 and received a commission in the United 
States Army.
  He was an exceptional young man with a bright future in front of him. 
He was known as a wonderful person and according to friends, the kind 
of individual that no one could say anything bad about. The 
Commonwealth of Virginia and the entire Nation shall mourn his loss.
  Mr. HAGEL. Mr. President, I rise to express my sympathy over the loss 
of Daniel Bader, a fellow Nebraskan and staff sergeant in the United 
States Army. Staff Sergeant Bader was killed on November 2 near 
Fallujah, Iraq when the Chinook helicopter he was aboard was shot down. 
Staff Sergeant Bader was one of 16 soldiers killed and 20 wounded en 
route to the United States for 2 weeks of leave. He was 28 years old.
  Staff Sergeant Bader served in the 3rd Armored Cavalry, Tiger 
Squadron, based on Fort Carson, CO. He was deployed to Iraq on April 4, 
2003.
  A York, NE native, Staff Sergeant Bader was a dedicated soldier who 
was committed to his family and country. He joined the military shortly 
after graduating from high school and ``absolutely loved'' his career 
in the Army, said his wife Tiffany. In addition to his wife, Staff 
Sergeant Bader leaves behind a 14-month-old daughter, Taryn Makenzie. 
Our thoughts and prayers are with them both at this difficult time.
   Staff Sergeant Bader and thousands of brave American service men and 
women confront danger every day in Iraq--their tremendous risks and 
sacrifices must never be taken for granted. For his service, bravery, 
and sacrifice, I ask my colleagues to join me and all Americans in 
honoring Staff Sergeant Daniel Bader.

                          ____________________