[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 11788]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                             FALLEN HEROES

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. DEBORAH PRYCE

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 20, 2004

  Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, there are no words that can lessen 
the intensity of families' grief and profound loss after learning that 
a son, daughter, or relative serving in the Armed Forces has fallen in 
the line of duty. I have recently written to five central Ohio families 
who have suffered such a loss as Part of Operation Iraqi Freedom and 
Operation Enduring Freedom, and each time it weighs heavily on my 
heart.
  Army Pfc. Kevin Ott, Army Pfc. Branden Oberleitner, Pfc. Nicholaus 
Zimmer, Army Staff Sgt. Aaron Reese, and Army Master Sgt. George 
Fernandez were the truest of all patriots. These soldiers will be 
greatly missed by all who knew and loved them, and their families are 
in my thoughts and prayers.
  The unique sacrifice that fallen soldiers share, giving their lives 
for the development and protection of freedom, place them among those 
in our history who will be remembered for dedicating themselves to the 
greatest of all ideals that we as Americans hold dear.
  America is eternally grateful to these and all of our soldiers for 
their courageous and dedicated service to our great nation and their 
valor in bringing freedom to the Iraqi and Afghani people. They have 
not only worked to bring liberation and justice to these oppressed 
people, but have also made America safer from the threat of terrorism 
by rooting out evil where it is hiding around the globe. I am extremely 
impressed by the poise and sense of duty and purpose with which all our 
young men and women in the armed forces conduct themselves. Their 
resolve to finish the job, because it means doing the right thing for 
the world even in the face of making the ultimate sacrifice, is truly 
inspiring.
  This Memorial Day, I will reflect on the sacrifices made by these 
soldiers and the long list of men and women who viewed their lives as 
subject to the preservation of liberty. May God bless our troops, and 
may God continue to bless the United States of America.

                          ____________________