[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 14]
[Senate]
[Pages 18739-18740]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES


                    Staff Sergeant Richard P. Ramey

  Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to Army SSG 
Richard Ramey, from Perry Township, in Stark County, OH. He died on 
February 8, 2004, when his convoy was attacked in Mahmudiyah, Iraq--a 
village 20 miles south of Baghdad.
  Richard lived life well. He made good choices. He never took the easy 
path. He never shied away from a challenge.
  That is what drew him to the military. He pursued a career as a 
soldier knowing the possible dangers. Richard took on one of the most 
risky jobs in the Army. He took on the responsibility of explosive 
ordnance disposal. This meant, simply, that if someone found a bomb on 
the side of the road, or in a building, or anywhere, Richard's task was 
to disarm it.
  Many of us would wonder why he volunteered for such a dangerous 
position. But Richard would have a simple answer. He did it to protect 
and ensure the safety of his comrades and the Iraqi people. He did it 
because he was never afraid to do what needed to be done.
  Richard was born on November 6, 1976, to loving parents, Jerry and 
Julie Ramey. Jerry can still remember looking at Richard when he was in 
the hospital baby room. He could not help but laugh at Richard's curly 
brown hair with its frosted tips.
  As a boy, Richard was known for hanging around the Perry Township 
fire station where Jerry was a volunteer fire investigator. Richard 
loved the excitement of the fire station and being there spending time 
with his dad.
  At Perry High School in Massillon, OH, Richard made a lasting 
impression on all who met him. English teacher and assistant football 
coach Bob Kilpatrick remembered Richard as:

       A good guy--a solid citizen. He came to class with his work 
     done, came to practice ready to practice, and came to the 
     game ready to play.

  Richard was a great football player with an even greater work ethic. 
As an offensive guard and tackle, he was known for his hard hitting and 
determination to play despite an injury to his shoulder. Richard's 
coaches remember that even at practices in the summer heat, he would 
always be smiling.
  Speaking of smiling, Richard was known for his sense of humor. One 
time, he described eggs as ``liquid chickens'' to his teacher--a 
proclaimed vegetarian. The teacher swore off eggs shortly thereafter.
  Richard loved the outdoors. He loved to camp, hike, explore caves, 
and climb. He especially loved to fish. Richard's friends fondly recall 
how he always caught bigger fish than they did no matter what kind of 
bait they used or what kind of fishing pole they had.
  Richard had the same passion for the military that he did for the 
outdoors. Even as a youngster, Richard's parents knew he would join the 
military. On Halloween, he would dress up as Rambo or G.I. Joe. Friends 
remember that at sleepovers, Richard would make them watch his favorite 
movie, ``Red Dawn''--a film about foreign armies taking over the United 
States.
  In third grade, Richard's teacher asked the students to write a 
sentence about what they wanted to do when they grew up. Richard 
responded, ``I will go to war and fight if I have to''--a motto he 
carried with him throughout his all too short life.
  After high school, Richard joined the Army and entered the service on 
his mother's birthday. He carried on the military tradition of his 
family. His dad served 4 years in the Navy, and grandfather Bernard 
Richard, Sr. fought in World War II, notably at the Battle of the 
Bulge.
  While Richard's mother knew that her son would follow his beliefs and 
do what he felt he needed to do, all she asked was that he call her 
every week--and he did. She said that ``Richard loved to do his job. No 
matter where it would take him. He really felt deeply that he wanted to 
protect people who couldn't protect themselves.'' She understood that 
it took a special person to do what Richard did.
  Richard's comrades loved him. They trusted him with their lives. And 
they had fun together. SSG Max Voelz, a member of Richard's unit, 
remembers the stories Richard would tell and the pranks he loved to 
play on people. In one instance, Richard filled an officer's room with 
balloons from the floor to the ceiling.
  Richard served at the White House, in Kosovo, and in Egypt before his 
unit was transferred to Iraq. While in Iraq, he witnessed several 
tragic events. In December, Richard watched helplessly as one of his 
comrades and closest friends was killed while trying to defuse a bomb. 
Clearly shaken and understandably ``numb,'' Richard called home for 
support from his parents. Shortly thereafter, Richard found himself in 
close proximity to another exploding bomb. Shrapnel hit his face and 
ruptured his eardrum. Through it all, Richard's unit became very close. 
They were family, both at home and in Iraq.
  Despite these difficult times, Richard did not lose sight of his 
ultimate goal--to help those who could not help themselves. And that is 
why he was determined to continue his career in the military. While 
overseas, he enlisted for 6 more years and was looking forward to his 
next assignment in Alaska. His mom and dad were planning on driving him 
there.
  Richard Ramey always will be remembered for his bravery and 
dedication to helping make the world a safer place. In the words of his 
father, Richard lived 80 years in 27--and in those 27, he made a 
difference.
  In Massillon, OH, this past February, hundreds of soldiers, 
firefighters, police, Boy Scouts, sailors, and family and friends paid 
their final respects to this American hero. Outside the church and 
along the funeral possession, many more braved the cold to show their 
support to the Ramey family by waving flags and holding signs. At Perry 
High School, a memorial plaque and photograph hangs in the hall as 
tribute to the school's brave alumnus.
  Richard will forever live on in the hearts and minds of all those who 
had the privilege of knowing him, including his parents Jerry and 
Julie, sister Sarah, and brother-in-law, Nicholas. The Reverend Thomas 
Dyer, who spoke at Richard's funeral service, said it best:

       [Richard] goes on in our memory with the powerful lesson to 
     each one of us--to make of ourselves the best we can--to make 
     a difference in our home and community.


[[Page 18740]]


  Indeed, Richard made the best of himself and, in doing so, made a 
very real, very lasting difference in this world.


               Staff Sergeant Lester ``Buddy'' Kinney, Ii

  Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to a young Ohioan who lost 
his life in the service of our country--a young Ohioan who dedicated 
himself to preserving the safety of his family, his friends, the Iraqi 
people, and his fellow Americans.
  Army SSG Lester Kinney II was known to his family and friends by a 
nickname that exemplified his outlook on life, as well as the way he 
treated all who had the privilege of knowing him--and that nickname was 
``Buddy.''
  Buddy was born on February 28, 1976, and grew up in Muskingum County, 
OH. His mother, Barbara, fondly remembers his love for animals, classic 
cars, Johnny Cash, and blue-grass music. As a young boy, Buddy loved to 
play pranks on people, especially on Halloween, greatly increasing the 
popularity of his family's Zanesville home on the holiday.
  Buddy attended John Glenn High School, where he played baseball and 
basketball. Described as ``everybody's kid,'' Buddy was the kind of guy 
you wanted on your team. He was always a team player. And he was always 
in a good mood and could get along with anyone--and everyone. People 
liked Buddy Lester. As his former high school principal, Gary Lucas, 
said:

       Everybody would be glad to have him as their son. He's the 
     kind of kid you'd be glad to take home to meet your parents.

  After graduating from high school in 1994, Buddy enlisted in the 
Army. His mother recalled that Buddy had always liked the ``Be All You 
Can Be'' commercials and was determined to join the Army from the time 
he was just 8 years old.
  Buddy Kinney served in Afghanistan for most of 2003, where he earned 
a number of awards and decorations for his service and leadership. 
These include the Bronze Star, Expert Infantry Badge, Combat Infantry 
Badge, Army Service Ribbon, Army Commendation Medal, Good Conduct 
Medal, Parachutist Badge, Jumpmaster, and Air Assault Badge.
  As a section leader in Afghanistan, Buddy was proud that after more 
than 150 movements in that dangerous country, none of the soldiers 
under his direction were ever injured.
  Clearly, Buddy was one of this country's finest soldiers. However, he 
was more than just a great soldier--he was a family man and a model big 
brother.
  Kurtis Bennett loved his big brother. He looked up to him. He 
respected him. He wanted to be like him. When Kurtis' father passed 
away, Buddy became the male figure in his life. Kurtis quickly learned 
that he could count on his brother Buddy for anything.
  Kurtis fondly remembers how supportive Buddy was of his decisions. 
When Kurtis graduated from high school, he told his big brother that he 
was thinking of taking a year off before going to college. Buddy 
thought that was a good idea. However, the military recruiters came 
calling and Kurtis decided to sign up. Buddy was proud of his younger 
brother and helped him decide on joining the Army because of the 
opportunities it would provide. Buddy was only a phone call away when 
Kurtis went through basic training. When the two were serving overseas, 
Kurtis would make sure to call his brother whenever he could.
  Buddy Kinney had big plans for his life. He married the love of his 
life, Marisa, on November 24, 2001. Though their married life together 
was short, it was rich and meaningful. He loved Marisa dearly.
  Buddy's military career also brought him great fulfillment and 
meaning. He made 58 jumps as paratrooper, only 2 jumps away from 
earning a gold star above his parachute wings. He was known for making 
the best of his opportunities. While stationed in Alaska, Buddy learned 
to ski, and while in Hawaii he learned to surf. Buddy was proud of his 
service and believed in what he was doing.
  After his service in Iraq, Buddy was hoping to become a warrant 
officer and a helicopter pilot. But, tragically, Lester ``Buddy'' 
Kinney's dreams were cut short. This country lost one of its finest on 
January 27, 2004, when a roadside bomb exploded while Buddy was 
conducting a dismounted patrol near Iskandariyah, Iraq. He had been 
assigned as the section leader to Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 505th 
Parachute Infantry Regiment, based out of Fort Bragg, NC.
  I had the privilege of meeting Buddy's family and some of his friends 
at a service held in his honor. Each remembers Buddy's smiling face and 
positive attitude. I was particularly moved by a letter that his 
comrades from their service in Afghanistan wrote. It read in part:

       We could not ask for a better friend or leader. From the 
     dusty mountains of Afghanistan to the hot, flat desert of 
     Iraq, we will always have a seat open for you.

  We will always have a place for Buddy in our hearts. He will be 
cherished forever in the memories of his beloved wife Marisa, mother 
Barbara, stepfather Jack, brother Kurtis, sister Jodi, grandmother 
Nita, and many aunts, uncles, cousins, comrades, and friends.
  Lester ``Buddy'' Kinney is an American hero, and may we always 
remember the sacrifice he made for us and for our country.
  Mr. President, I thank the Chair and yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Talent). The Senator from Ohio yields the 
floor.
  Who seeks recognition?
  The Senator from Nevada is recognized.
  (The remarks of Mr. Reid pertaining to the introduction of S. 2822 
are printed in today's Record under ``Statements on Introduced Bills 
and Joint Resolutions.'')
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

                          ____________________