[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 1]
[Senate]
[Page 1111]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES


                    staff sergeant Brian Bland, USMC

  Mr. THOMAS. Mr. President, I today to express our Nation's deepest 
thanks and gratitude to a special young man and his family. I recently 
received word that on January 26, 2005, Marine SSgt Brian Bland of 
Newcastle, WY died in the line of duty while serving his country in the 
war on terrorism. SSgt Bland was killed, along with 30 of his brothers 
in arms when the CH 53E Super Stallion helicopter they were riding in 
crashed in western Iraq. The Marines were on their way to provide 
security operations for the recent Iraqi elections.
  SSgt Bland was member of 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment out of 
Hawaii. He grew up in Newcastle and joined the Marine Corps after 
graduating from high school there in 1995. he had re-enlisted twice. He 
held a profound sense of duty and knew he was doing the right thing, 
telling family members shortly before the crash that he felt good about 
what he was doing in Iraq. He was very proud of being a Marine and had 
planned to stay in the service until he retired. He is remembered as 
one who enjoyed motorcycles and was friendly to everyone, and he took 
every opportunity to return to visit family and friends in Wyoming and 
South Dakota.
  Because of people like Brian Bland we continue to live safe and free. 
America's men and women who answer the call of service and wear our 
Nation's uniform deserve respect and recognition for the enormous 
burden that they willingly bear. Our people put everything on the line 
everyday, and because of these folks, our Nation remains free and 
strong in the face of danger.
  The motto of the Marine Corps is ``Semper Fidelis.'' It means 
``Always Faithful.'' Through his selfless and courageous sacrifice, 
Staff Sergeant Brian Bland lived up to those words with great honor in 
that he willingly gave the last full measure so that others could live 
in freedom and liberty.
  SSgt Bland is survived by his wife Stacey, his mother Beverly and 
stepfather Mark, his brother Jeremy, his grandmother Emma Lee, and his 
brothers of the United States Marine Corps. We say goodbye to a 
husband, a son, a brother, a Marine, and an American. Our Nation pays 
its deepest respect to SSgt Brian Bland for his courage, his love of 
country and his sacrifice, so that we may remain free. He was a hero in 
life and he remains a hero in death. All of Wyoming, and indeed the 
entire Nation, is proud of him.
   So from one Marine to another, SSgt Bland, Semper Fi.


                        corporal nathan schubert

  Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to Cpl Nathan 
Schubert, a member of the U.S. Marine Corps, who died on January 26, 
2005, while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
  Corporal Schubert was a member of the 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine 
Division based out of Kaneohe Bay, HI.
  Answering America's call to the military, Corporal Schubert joined 
the U.S. Marines in October 2001. His brother, Matthew, remembers him 
as a skilled athlete and a pheasant hunter. Corporal Schubert was 
carefree and a bit of a joker. His sister, Elizabeth, remembered that, 
``He would sometimes wrap stuff from around the house to give as gag 
gifts.''
  Corporal Schubert courageously served our country with great 
distinction and, as a hero, died as a proud member of our Armed Forces. 
He served as a model of the loyalty, dedication, and military 
professionalism that is required for the preservation of freedom. The 
thoughts and prayers of my family, as well as our Nation's, are with 
his family during this time of mourning. As well, our thoughts continue 
to be with all those families who have children, spouses, parents, and 
other loved ones serving overseas.
  The lives of countless people were enormously enhanced by Nathan's 
goodwill and service. He inspired all those who knew him and our Nation 
is a far better place because of his life. All Americans owe Nathan, 
and the other soldiers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defense 
of freedom, a great debt of gratitude for their service.
  I join with all South Dakotans in expressing my sympathies to the 
friends and family of Corporal Schubert. I know that he will always be 
missed, but his service to our Nation will never be forgotten.

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