[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Page 14548]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES


                      LANCE CORPORAL RUSSELL WHITE

   Mr. CARPER. Mr. President, I would like to set aside a few moments 
today to reflect on the life of LCpl Russell P. White. Russell 
epitomized the best of our country's brave men and women who are 
fighting to secure a new democracy in the Middle East. He exhibited 
unwavering courage, dutiful service to his country, and above all else, 
honor. In the way he lived his life--and how we remember him--Russell 
reminds each of us how good we can be.
   A resident of Dagsboro, Russell's passing has deeply affected the 
community. A graduate of Indian River High School, Russell was the son 
of Gregg and Tricia White. Friends, family, and school officials 
recalled Russell as a proud young man who made a sacrifice for their 
freedom, even if his death did not come during combat. As a senior at 
Indian River High School in rural Frankford, Russell spent his days in 
classrooms overlooking soybean fields, and his spare time at home 
hunting duck along tranquil Vines Creek. In his senior year, he tried 
out for and made the football team at Indian River. He became a starter 
and, at a mere 165 pounds, played nose guard, out hustling opposing 
lineman who weighed 50 to 100 pounds more than he did.
   But Russell had a desire to be part of something bigger. He wanted 
to be among the troops sent to hunt Osama bin Laden in the mountainous 
terrain of Afghanistan, so he joined the Marines early last year.
   Russell had been stationed in Afghanistan for about a month prior to 
his death and was part of the mission to root out bin Laden and other 
members of al-Qaida. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine 
Regiment, whose home base is at Camp Lejeune, NC.
   Russell was remembered by his fellow marines as a young man who had 
a kind spirit and a zest for life with an outlook that sometimes got 
him into a little trouble, especially in the 13 grueling weeks of boot 
camp. When drill sergeants would bark orders, Russell would often crack 
a smile, unlike others who might shed tears in their bunks at night. 
``They couldn't crack him,'' Russell's father, Gregg, said. While 
Russell may have found some of his early training a little amusing, he 
was absolutely serious about his duties in Afghanistan.
   Russell was a remarkable and well-respected young soldier. His 
friends and family remember him as an honorable man. He enjoyed playing 
football, hunting, skiing and being out on the water. He had hoped to 
return to Sussex County to help run his father's home-building 
business. Sadly, that dream will not be fulfilled.
   I rise today to commemorate Russell, to celebrate his life, and to 
offer his family our support and our deepest sympathy on their tragic 
loss.

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