[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 1]
[Senate]
[Pages 305-306]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES


                         Sergeant Jarrod Black

   Mr. BAYH. Madam President, I rise today with a heavy heart and deep 
sense of gratitude to honor the life of a brave young man from Peru, 
IN. Sgt. Jarrod William Black, 26 years old, died in Ar Ramadi, a town 
60 miles west of Baghdad, on December 12, 2003, after his vehicle was 
hit by an improvised explosive device. Jarrod 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.
   Jarrod was the 22nd Hoosier soldier to be killed while serving his 
country in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Jarrod leaves behind his father, 
Bill, his mother, Jane, his wife, Shawna, his brother, Brandon, and his 
sons, Jacob and Jason. Only 1 week after being deployed to Iraq the 
young couple found out that they were expecting a baby girl. May she 
grow up knowing that her father gave his life so that young Iraqis will 
some day know the freedom she will enjoy.
   Today, I join Jarrod's family, his friends, and the entire Peru 
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

[[Page 306]]

the world a safer place. It is this courage and strength of character 
that people will remember when they think of Jarrod, a memory that will 
burn brightly during these continuing days of conflict and grief.
   Rowland Garver, Jarrod's grandfather and an Air Force veteran of 20 
years, told Jarrod's hometown paper, the Peru Tribune, that the death 
of his grandson brings home the reality of war. These words of 
reflection and loss sting the hearts of all who know the worry and 
honor of having loved ones serve our Nation overseas.
   During the last phone conversation that Jarrod had with his family, 
he called his mother and told her that he loved her and was being safe. 
His mother says that God granted her that one last conversation with 
her son. Today, Jarrod's family remembers him as a true American hero, 
and we honor the sacrifice he made while serving his country.
   Jarrod graduated from Peru High School in 1999, where he was an avid 
Peru Tigers fan. Friends and family members remember Jarrod for the 
love he had for his entire family, and for his energetic personality, 
which he often demonstrated while cheering on his favorite team, the 
Indianapolis Colts.
   After joining the Army in 1999, Jarrod left to begin full-time duty 
in Fort Riley, KS. Jarrod served on a tanker as part of the 1st 
Battalion, 34th Armor Division, 1st Infantry Division. He was deployed 
to the Middle East in September.
   As I search for words to do justice in honoring Jarrod'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 Jarrod's actions will live on far 
longer than any record of these words.
   It is my sad duty to enter the name of Jarrod Black in the official 
Record of the U.S. 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 Jarrod'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.


                   honoring specialist luke p. frist

  Mr. BAYH. Madam President, I rise today with a heavy heart and deep 
sense of gratitude to honor the life of a brave young man from 
Brookston, IN. Specialist Luke Frist, 20 years old, died at the Brooke 
Army Medical Center at Fort Sam Houston, TX, on January 5, 2004, 
following an attack, 3 days prior in Baghdad, Iraq, when the fuel truck 
he was driving struck an improvised explosive device.
  After joining the Army Reserves, Luke was assigned to the 209th 
Quartermaster Company in Lafayette, IN. Luke served on a fuel tanker as 
a petroleum specialist during his deployment, which began in May 2003.
  Luke was the twenty-third Hoosier soldier to be killed while serving 
his country in Operation Iraqi Freedom. This brave young soldier leaves 
behind his father, Dennis, his mother, Pattie, and two sisters. When 
Luke joined the Army Reserves, he was following in the military 
footsteps of his parental grandfather, who served in World War II. With 
his entire life before him, Luke chose to risk everything to fight for 
the values Americans hold close to our hearts, in a land halfway around 
the world.
  Today, I join Luke's family, his friends, and the entire Brookston 
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 his courage and 
strength of character that people will remember when they think of 
Luke, a memory that will burn brightly during these continuing days of 
conflict and grief.
  Luke's family recalls his being in good spirits during his last phone 
call home. According to his sister Johanna, Luke ``wanted to fight for 
his country and be the best of the best . . . . He died doing what he 
loved.'' Today, Luke's family remembers him as a true American hero, 
and we honor the sacrifice he made while serving his country.
  Luke graduated from Tri-County High School in 2001. He was an active 
member of the student body, playing the trombone and tuba in the band, 
playing on the football team, and throwing shot put as a member of the 
track team. Friends and family members alike remember Luke for his 
energetic personality, his passion for being outdoors, and his 
dedication to making his dreams become a reality. When Luke was 
activated, he was working full time while attending classes at Ivy Tech 
State College in Lafayette, with plans to transfer to Purdue University 
to pursue a career in landscape design.
  As I search for words to do justice in honoring Luke'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 Luke's actions will live on far longer 
than any record of these words.
  It is my sad duty to enter the name of Luke P. Frist in the official 
Record of the U.S. Senate for his service to his 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 Luke'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 us all.

                          ____________________