[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 11378]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                             FALLEN HEROES

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. JOHN BOOZMAN

                              of arkansas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 20, 2004

  Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate you holding a moment of 
silence for our fallen heroes during legislative business on Thursday, 
May, 20, 2004. On the eve of Memorial Day, it was extremely important 
that we all paused to remember the brave men and women who have given 
their lives in the War on Terror. I am also grateful for the 
opportunity to submit the following remarks on Specialist Dustin 
McGaugh and Private First Class Brandon Smith, the two brave servicemen 
from the Third District who gave their lives fighting the War on Terror 
in Iraq.
   Specialist Dustin K. McGaugh grew up in Springdale, Arkansas. He was 
killed in a ``friendly fire'' accident in Balad, Iraq, last October.
  Private First Class Brandon Smith was a resident of Fayetteville, 
Arkansas. He was killed in action in Al Qaim, Iraq, late last March 
when the Humvee he was traveling in ran over a land mine. That Humvee 
was rushing to assist U.S. troops who were under enemy fire.
  For both these brave men, just getting into the military was quite a 
challenge. Dustin enlisted in the Army prior to the September 11th 
attacks, but he broke his shinbone in basic training. He was so intent 
on becoming a soldier that he completed his last three weeks of basic 
training despite an injury that would have sidelined most of us.
  When Brandon joined the Marines, he told his friends that he had 
found his life's calling. However, for Brandon fulfilling his lifelong 
dream was no simple task. Every morning, he had to run laps around 
Asbell Park, lift weights and literally lose 80 pounds to be in shape 
for Marine Boot Camp.
  Dustin and Brandon served as inspirations to their fellow soldiers in 
Iraq and to Americans back home. On the battlefield, Dustin's fellow 
soldiers said that regardless of the dangers, he could often be found 
handing out candy to Iraqi children. And back home, community members 
signed a banner in Brandon's memory, recalling the bravery of a fallen 
Marine who put his country and his neighbors ahead of himself.
  Mr. Speaker, Dustin and Brandon made the ultimate sacrifice for their 
country. They selflessly put themselves in harm's way so that future 
generations can live in a world free of terror. Dustin McGaugh and 
Brandon Smith are true American heroes. I ask my colleagues to keep 
their family and friends in their thoughts and prayers.

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