[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 1]
[Senate]
[Pages 432-433]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES


             CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER TWO BRIAN D. HAZELGROVE

  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 
Edinburgh, IN. CWO2 Brian D. Hazelgrove, 29 years old, died outside of 
Mosul, Iraq, on January 23, 2004, after his Kiowa Warrior helicopter 
crashed while returning from a combat mission. Brian 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.
  Brian was the 24th Hoosier soldier to be killed while serving his 
country in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Brian leaves behind his father, 
Ron; his wife, Kimmi; his half brother, Brad; and his children, Taylor, 
Zachary, Brandon, and Katelyn. May Brian's children grow up knowing 
that their father gave his life so that young Iraqis will some day know 
the freedom they enjoy.
  Today, I join Brian's family, his friends, and the entire Edinburgh 
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 
Brian, a memory that will burn brightly during these continuing days of 
conflict and grief.
  Brian graduated from Edinburgh High School in 1994, where he played 
on the basketball team. Friends and family members remember Brian for 
the love he shared with his entire family, his energetic personality 
and his unfailing sense of humor. His half brother Brad spoke for all 
who were blessed to have known Brian when describing him to the 
Indianapolis Star as ``just a joy . . . the guy was amazing.''
  After joining the Army in 1994, Brian began his military career in 
intelligence. He later became a helicopter pilot, serving with the 3rd 
Squadron, 17th Air Cavalry Regiment from the 10th Mountain Division at 
Fort Drum, NY. Prior to Brian's service in Operation Iraqi Freedom, he 
also served two tours of duty in South Korea. He was deployed to the 
Middle East in November.
  As I search for words to do justice in honoring Brian'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

[[Page 433]]

certain that the impact of Brian's actions will live on far long than 
any record of these words.
  It is my sad duty to enter the name of Brian D. Hazelgrove 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 Brian'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.


                      TRIBUTE TO SGM PHILIP ALBERT

  Mr. DODD. Mr. President, I rise in tribute to U.S. Army SGM Philip 
Robert Albert, of Plymouth, CT, who lost his life on duty in 
Afghanistan on November 23, 2003. He was 41 years old.
  Sergeant Major Albert, a member of the 2nd Battalion of the 87th 
Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division, was killed along with four 
other soldiers in a helicopter crash in northeastern Afghanistan. His 
service to his country will not be forgotten.
  Philip Albert was a career military man. He enlisted in the Army 
after graduating high school at 18 years of age, and he never looked 
back. He fought in the first gulf war in 1991 and was serving his 
second tour of duty in Afghanistan. Sergeant Major Albert was on the 
front lines in the war on terror, searching the mountains of 
Afghanistan for members of al-Qaida and the Taliban, protecting 
coalition forces as well as the Afghan people.
  Like so many of the men and women who serve in our Armed Forces, 
Philip Albert didn't consider himself a hero. For him, putting his life 
on the line for his country was simply part of his job--a job he did 
with dignity, courage, and honor.
  Sergeant Major Albert's devotion to his country was matched only by 
his love for his family. The youngest of 8 siblings, he enjoyed the 
company of his brothers and sisters, and he was especially fond of the 
time he spent with his many nieces and nephews.
  In recent years, Sergeant Major Albert had spoken with his family and 
friends about the possibility of retiring from the Army. But it was 
difficult for an individual like Philip Albert to walk away from the 
job he loved. After he witnessed the horrific attacks of September 11, 
he must have decided that America could use his experience, his 
dedication, and his service. Because once again, when his country 
called on him, Philip Albert answered the call.
  Philip Albert perished just a few days before Thanksgiving. The 
Thanksgiving holiday will obviously have a very different meaning for 
his family and friends for many, many years to come. But I would like 
them to know that each and every one of us in the Senate--and indeed 
every single American--owes a tremendous debt of thanks to Philip 
Albert.
  It is people like Sergeant Major Albert who make it possible for us 
to live each and every day in freedom, peace, and security. It is their 
sacrifices, in lands thousands of miles away, that keep us safe here at 
home. We must never forget those sacrifices--especially those of people 
like Philip Albert who have left us with a debt we can never repay.
  I offer my deepest sympathies to Philip Albert's family, and to 
everyone who knew and loved him.


                     IN MEMORY OF PFC JEFFREY BRAUN

  Mr. President, I also rise to speak in memory of PFC Jeffrey Braun, 
of Stafford, CT, who was killed in Iraq on December 11, 2003. He was 19 
years old.
  Private Braun was truly an inspiration to everyone who knew him. He 
joined the Army shortly after the attacks of September 11, motivated by 
a desire to be part of the global campaign to rid the world of terror. 
After completing his senior year at Stafford High School in 2002, he 
became a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division.
  Jeff Braun's heroic sacrifice in Iraq will never be forgotten. But in 
the words of a friend, Adrian Scarpa, ``He was a hero even before he 
went over.''
  No matter what he did, Jeff Braun was always striving to be part of 
something greater than himself. At Stafford High School, wherever you 
looked, you could find Jeff Braun. He played soccer, wrestled, and ran 
track. He sang, acted in school plays, and was active in local 
community service projects.
  Jeff's friends and family members knew him as a young man who always 
had a kind word, a smile, and an outgoing and infectious sense of 
humor. He would make friends with classmates who were lonely. He would 
give away his own lunch to students who didn't have any.
  Jeff Braun was a fascinating person, and he had a fascinating life 
story. He was born in the village of San Pedro Sula in Honduras. When 
he was 6 months old, he was adopted by Meredith and William Braun, who 
brought him to Stafford. He came to love his adopted country so much 
that he joined its armed forces. But he also shared a deep and 
meaningful connection with his homeland. Even while in Iraq, Jeff was 
actively pursuing his dream of building an orphanage in his native 
Honduras. It's a dream that Jeff's parents have said they will strive 
to make a reality.
  Jeff didn't have to enlist in the military. But with his enthusiasm, 
his generosity, his spirit, and his character, he simply couldn't stay 
on the sidelines and watch as his fellow countrymen fought overseas in 
defense of freedom. Jeff saw a job that needed to be done--and he knew 
that he had to be a part of it.
  I join the town of Stafford, the State of Connecticut, and the entire 
United States Senate in mourning the loss of Private Jeffrey Braun, a 
truly remarkable individual who was taken from us far, far too soon.
  I offer my deepest sympathies to Jeff's parents William and Meredith, 
to his sister Julie, his entire family, and the many, many people whose 
lives were touched by Jeff Braun.

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