[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 5]
[Senate]
[Page 6225]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              UH-60 BLACKHAWK CRASH AT FORT DRUM, NEW YORK

  Mr. BURNS. Mr. President, I rise today to mourn the loss of 11 brave 
soldiers killed in a UH-60 Blackhawk crash on the afternoon of Tuesday, 
March 11, at Fort Drum, New York. This tragic accident occurred as the 
unit was conducting a routine training exercise. One of the young men 
on board, Pfc. Stryder O. Stoutenburg, was from Missoula, MT. He was 
only 18 and was assigned to Charlie Company, 4th Battalion, 31st 
Infantry Regiment.
  The other 10 young men killed are: Cpt. Christopher E. Britton, 27, 
from Ohio, assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st 
Battalion, 10th Aviation Regiment.
  Chief Warrant Officer 3 Kenneth L. Miller, 35, from California, 
assigned to Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 10th Aviation Regiment.
  Staff Sgt. Brian Pavlich, 25, from Port Jervis, NY. assigned to 
Charlie Company, 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment.
  Sgt. John L. Eichenlaub, Jr., 24, from South Williamsport, PA, 
assigned to Charlie Company, 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment.
  Sgt. Joshua M. Harapko, 23, from Peoria, AZ, assigned to Charlie 
Company, 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment.
  Spc. Lucas V. Tripp, 23, from Aurora, CO, assigned to Bravo Company, 
2nd Battalion, 10th Aviation Regiment.
  Spc. Barry M. Stephens, 20, from Pinson, AL, assigned to Bravo 
Company, 2nd Battalion, 10th Aviation Regiment.
  Pfc. Shawn A. Mayerscik, 22, from Oil City, PA, assigned to Charlie 
Company, 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment.
  Pfc. Tommy C. Young, 20, from Knoxville, TN, assigned to Charlie 
Company, 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment.
  Pfc. Andrew D. Stevens, 20, from Rockingham, NH, assigned to Charlie 
Company, 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment.
  In addition, two young men were seriously injured--Spc. Dmitri Petrov 
and Spc. Edwin A. Mejia, both from Charlie Company, 4th Battalion, 31st 
Infantry Regiment.
  Each and every one of these young men was a patriot and served their 
country bravely. My thoughts and prayers go out to the families of 
these boys. While the cause of the accident remains under 
investigation, I have asked to be kept informed of any and all 
developments and am confident that a thorough examination will be 
conducted.
  Our brave military men and women fully know the risk they take in 
doing their duty and they meet this risk head on, to ensure that the 
rest of us continue to live with freedom. Tragic accidents such as this 
one truly remind us all of the high price of freedom.
  I will continue working with my colleagues to make sure our troops 
have the best equipment, instruction, and supplies to ensure their 
safety not only on the battlefield, but in training exercises as well. 
May God bless the young soldiers who died training to defend the values 
of this great Nation.

                          ____________________