[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Page 14497]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES


                 honoring army specialist nick idalski

  Mr. BAYH. Mr. President, I rise today with a heavy heart and deep 
sense of gratitude to honor the life of a brave young man from Crown 
Point. Nick Idalski 23 years old, died on June 21 during combat 
operations west of Baghdad near Ramadi. With his entire life before 
him, Nick risked everything to fight for the values Americans hold 
close to our hearts, in a land halfway around the world.
  A 2001 graduate from Crown Point High School, Nick was killed in 
combat just 1 month before he was scheduled to return home. He had been 
in the Army for less than 2 years, first being sent to South Korea for 
a short time before his deployment to Iraq. His family recounted to a 
local newspaper Nick's passion for being a soldier and helping other 
people, saying that he died doing something he truly loved. They shared 
their memories of how selfless, jolly, and determined Nick was, and 
their pride in him when he decided to join the Army. I stand here today 
to express the same feelings of pride and gratitude for this young 
Hoosier's sacrifices and those made by his family on behalf of our 
country.
  Nick was killed while serving his country in Operation Iraqi Freedom. 
He was a member of the Army's 2nd Infantry Division, and had been 
stationed in Ramadi since August. This brave young soldier leaves 
behind his mother and stepfather, Kim and Richard Greenberg; his 
father, Tony Idalski; his two brothers, Steve and Nathan Idalski; his 
stepbrother, Kevin Greenberg; two stepsisters; and his longtime 
girlfriend, Lisa Wheeler.
  Today, I join Nick's family and friends in mourning his death. While 
we struggle to bear our sorrow over this loss, we can also take pride 
in the example he set, bravely fighting to make the world a safer 
place. It is his courage and strength of character that people will 
remember when they think of Nick, a memory that will burn brightly 
during these continuing days of conflict and grief.
  Nick was known for his dedication to his family and his love of 
country. Today and always, Nick will be remembered by family members, 
friends and fellow Hoosiers as a true American hero and we honor the 
sacrifice he made while dutifully serving his country.
  As I search for words to do justice in honoring Nick's sacrifice, I 
am reminded of President Lincoln's remarks as he addressed the families 
of the fallen soldiers in Gettysburg:

       We cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate, we cannot hallow 
     this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled 
     here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or 
     detract. The world will little note nor long remember what we 
     say here, but it can never forget what they did here.

  This statement is just as true today as it was nearly 150 years ago, 
as I am certain that the impact of Nick's actions will live on far 
longer than any record of these words.
  It is my sad duty to enter the name of Nick Idalski in the official 
Record of the U.S. Senate for his service to this country and for his 
profound commitment to freedom, democracy and peace. When I think about 
this just cause in which we are engaged, and the unfortunate pain that 
comes with the loss of our heroes, I hope that families like Nick's can 
find comfort in the words of the prophet Isaiah who said, ``He will 
swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from 
off all faces.''
  May God grant strength and peace to those who mourn, and may God be 
with all of you, as I know He is with Nick.

                          ____________________