[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 23510-23511]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    ARMY 1ST LIEUTENANT TYLER BROWN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. PHIL GINGREY

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Saturday, October 9, 2004

  Mr. GINGREY. Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening to pay homage to the 
life of a fallen American hero, U.S. Army 1st Lieutenant Tyler Hall 
Brown of Atlanta, Georgia. Lieutenant Brown was killed by sniper fire 
on September 14, 2004 in Ar Ramadi, Iraq, a town 70 miles west of 
Baghdad. Tyler was leading his unit on a reconnaissance patrol in the 
Iraqi town when he and his unit were ambushed by insurgents. He was a 
heroic leader to his men even until his passing as he, though mortally 
wounded by the sniper's shot, was able to give a warning to his men, 
preventing any others from being injured.
  His fellow officer, Captain Daniel M. Gade considered Lieutenant 
Brown one of the finest officers he'd known, saying that he was an 
inspirational leader, both on and off the field of battle who during 
numerous enemy contacts, was calm, leading his men with bravery and 
aplomb. He loved his men, and they loved him in return.
  That is how Tyler lived life, a born leader, a born officer that had 
a passion for people and a passion for life. His leadership qualities 
were identified early. While President of his high school senior class 
at Woodward Academy, his classmates considered him a politician in the 
making; patriotic, red, white and blue to the core; and figured he 
could even become President of the United Stated some day.
  After high school, Tyler proudly followed in the footsteps of his 
father, Carey and his older brother, Brent to Georgia Tech, which is my 
alma mater. At Georgia Tech, Tyler served as President of the Student 
Government Association for the 1999-2000 academic year, a position that 
his father had also held while in school. His hard work, dedication, 
and commitment to inclusion inspired fellow students to become more 
involved on campus and to get the most out of their college days. Tyler 
graduated in 2001 with dual Bachelor of Science degrees in management 
and in history, society and technology. Commissioned from the ROTC 
program at Georgia Tech, he earned paratrooper's wings and completed 
the rigorous Army Ranger training course before joining the Army's 1st 
Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry, based at Camp Hovey in 
Tongduchon City, Korea.
  Tyler was among 3,600 troops of the Army's 2nd Infantry Division 
deployed to Iraq in early September from South Korea. He had only been 
in Iraq 2 weeks when he was killed. Tyler had been approved for service 
in the Army's famous 3rd Infantry Regiment, known as the Old Guard, one 
of the oldest and most respected Infantry Regiments in the United 
States Army. The Old Guard has the responsibilities of guarding the 
Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery, serving as the 
Army's ceremonial unit and, as an active and well-trained Infantry 
Regiment, the 3rd Infantry is also responsible for the protection of 
Washington, DC.
  Instead of accepting this prestigious assignment he chose to go to 
Iraq with his men. That decision exemplified his life, putting the good 
of others in front of his own interests.
  On September 28, Tyler finally was joined with the Old Guard as they 
escorted him to his final place of rest with full military honors in 
Arlington National Cemetery. He was posthumously awarded a Purple 
Heart, a Bronze Star, and the Combat Infantryman Badge for his heroic 
service.
  I had the privilege of being present at his interment and to pay 
respect to a young man who in only 26 years had made a difference and 
touched more lives than many do in their entire life. As the bugler 
began to play taps and the honor guard fired a rifle volley salute, I 
couldn't help but look around at some of those lives who stood beside 
me and see the heaviness in their hearts and the sadness in their eyes, 
but I could tell we were saying goodbye to a truly special individual.
  My heart went out to the Brown family, a proud American family giving 
so much to their country, as the flag that draped Tyler's coffin was 
folded and presented to his mother, Sally, and the medals that had been 
earned by the ultimate sacrifice were placed into the hands of his 
father.
  The heavy rain that fell down that day was fitting to the somber mood 
created by this loss. Tyler Brown was a young man, a son, a brother, a 
friend, an officer, a leader who left this world with so much potential 
and so much ahead of him.
  His brother Brent said that Tyler ``died for the country he loved, 
doing what he wanted to do. He lived well and died a hero. He lived 
life to the fullest, he truly did. He became a role model to me.''

[[Page 23511]]

  Mr. Speaker, Tyler Brown in his life and in his death has become a 
role model to me, a role model for all of us. I salute his service to 
our nation, the love he showed to his family and all those with whom he 
came into contact. We know that he is in a better place now and pray 
this knowledge will provide some measure of comfort for his family in 
the days ahead.
  Mr. and Mrs. Brown along with the entire Brown family are to be 
commended and honored for their sacrifice and my thoughts and prayers 
remain with them as they endure this difficult time.

                          ____________________