[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 21]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 29860]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             TRIBUTE TO FIRST LIEUTENANT TODD JASON BRYANT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN CALVERT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 18, 2003

  Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to a hero from my 
congressional district. Earlier this afternoon, I had the distinct 
honor to attend the funeral service for Todd Jason Bryant, First 
Lieutenant, United States Army at Arlington National Cemetery. Today I 
would ask that the House of Representatives honor and remember this 
incredible young man who died in service to his country.
  Todd was born on January 14, 1980, in Long Beach, California. Todd 
came from a military family and his desire and determination to join 
the military was resolute. He enlisted in the Army Reserve and 
completed Basic Training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma before his senior year 
of high school. He came to my office for an appointment to the U.S. 
Military Academy at West Point. I was proud to nominate this ambitious 
young man who I knew would distinguish himself at West Point, just as 
he had done his whole life.
  He interned in my office before his senior year at West Point and 
graduated with a degree in Political Science on June 1, 2002. He would 
often joke that he was going to run for my congressional seat someday--
I have no doubt he would have succeeded. After graduation, Todd 
attended the Armor Officer's Basic Course at Fort Knox, Kentucky, 
graduating in December 2002. He reported to Fort Riley, Kansas in 
January 2003, and was initially assigned to Headquarters and 
Headquarters Company, 1st, Battalion 34th Armor Regiment where he 
served as an Assistant Operations Officer. In April of 2003, Todd was 
reassigned to C Company, 1-34 AR where he assumed duties as Platoon 
Leader, 3rd Platoon. On August 30, 2003, Todd and Jenifer Reardon were 
married in Pennsylvania, nine days before shipping out with his unit in 
support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. On Friday, October 31, 2003, Todd 
was killed by an explosive device as his Humvee traveled on a road 
between Fallujah and Baghdad. He was 23 years old.
  As we look at the incredibly rich military history of our country we 
realize that this history is comprised of men, just like Todd, who 
bravely fought for the ideals of freedom and democracy. Each story is 
unique and humbling for those of us who, far from the dangers they have 
faced, live our lives in relative comfort and ease. Today was probably 
the hardest day the Bryant family has ever faced and my thoughts, 
prayers and deepest gratitude for their sacrifice goes out to them. 
There are no words that can relieve their pain. Larry and Linda Bryant 
have raised an extraordinary family. Their oldest son, Tim is a Major 
in the Marines, their daughter, Tiffany, is a Captain in the Army and 
Todd, First Lieutenant in the United States Army, recipient of the 
Meritorious Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal Army Service 
Ribbon, Bronze Star, and the Purple Heart has been laid to rest in our 
country's most distinguished military cemetery.
  His wife and family have all given a part of themselves today in the 
loss of their loved one and I hope they know that their son, the 
goodness he brought to this world and the sacrifice he has made, will 
not be forgotten.

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