[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Pages 16365-16366]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES


                       Specialist Adam N. Brewer

  Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, I would like to honor one of America's 
fallen, a brave soldier from the State of Oklahoma. SPC Adam Brewer was 
serving in Iraq when he died defending his fellow soldiers and this 
Nation. His memory continues on in testimony to the selfless way he 
lived.
  Specialist Brewer graduated from Bartlesville High School in 2000 and 
joined the Army shortly thereafter. He served for 2 years and was 
assigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, normally stationed 
Fort Hood, TX. Specialist Brewer was serving his second tour in Iraq 
and had taken part in the original invasion that began in March 2003. 
On February 25, 2005, his unit was deployed to an area near Taji, Iraq. 
An improvised explosive device exploded nearby, tragically killing him 
and two other soldiers.
  At Specialist Brewer's funeral, the pastor put it well: ``Not only 
did he defend our country but he defended the values of freedom that we 
hold so dear . . . I know his passing has been hard. But for the rest 
of your life, whenever you see his picture or mention his name, you can 
be proud.'' We are indeed proud, as we are of those young men and women 
who have committed to defend our Nation and put their lives on the line 
every day.
  But I think Specialist Brewer's mother Karen Brewer said it best, 
``He wanted to serve his country, and he served it all the way.'' He 
indeed gave all that he had, in life and in death, for his country. The 
legacy of such sacrifice challenges us on behalf of the Senate, this 
Nation, and the cause of freedom around the world, I honor a special 
Oklahoman and true soldier, SPC Adam Brewer.


                    Specialist Robert T. Hendrickson

  Mr. President, I wish to honor a true hero who, on February 1, 2005, 
gave his life while serving in Iraq. SPC Robert Hendrickson is an 
example of the selfless service that is essential to this country's 
freedom.
  Although he was born in Biloxi, MS, Specialist Hendrickson listed 
Broken Bow, OK, as his hometown. He attended school in Del City and 
Edmond before moving with his mother to Broken Bow. His father, Dave 
Hendrickson, says his son planned to return to school when he returned 
from service and study to become a pediatric nurse.
  After high school, Specialist Hendrickson enlisted in the U.S. Army. 
He was assigned to the 2d Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry 
Division, normally stationed in Fort Hood, TX. He was serving in Iraq 
with this unit when, just after the successful elections took place, 
his vehicle overturned. He was found unconscious and never recovered.
  He died to help the Iraqi people achieve their freedom,'' Dave 
Hendrickson said. ``He died for the Iraqi people and the war against 
terrorism so that his son might have a safer world to live in.''
  Specialist Hendrickson is survived by his parents, his sister, and a 
6-year-old son, Dylan. ``He loved Dylan more than anything,'' Dave 
said. ``My son was a good boy. He was a good man. He was a good dad.''
  SPC Robert Hendrickson was indeed a good man. He put aside his own 
safety, volunteering to serve in the most dangerous of professions. He 
gave so much and his sacrifice will be remembered by friends, family, 
and all of us who are profoundly indebted to him.


                    Staff Sergeant Jason R. Hendrix

  Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, I rise to honor a brave soldier who gave 
his life to the defense of this Nation. SSG. Jason Hendrix chose to 
place himself in harms way and for this service he paid the highest 
price.
  Staff Sergeant Hendrix joined the Army right out of high school and 
served for 11 years. He was a squad leader in the 1st Battalion, 9th 
Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division. This unit is usually 
stationed in South Korea, but was deployed to assist in Operation Iraqi 
Freedom. When Staff Sergeant Hendrix found out that he was heading for 
one of the most dangerous areas in the world, he told his family, ``You 
guys might not understand why we're over here, but we need to be over 
here, and I've got to do my job.''
  Those who knew Staff Sergeant Hendrix best describe him as a 
``professional soldier.'' They also speak of his compassion and care 
for the men in his unit. Last Christmas, Staff Sergeant Hendrix gave up 
his leave so that other men could go home and see their newborn 
children. He also bought, at his

[[Page 16366]]

own expense, equipment for his men such as night-vision goggles, face-
masks, flashlights, dozens of handcuffs and magazine couplers for their 
M-16s.
  Staff Sergeant Hendrix fought in the rebel stronghold of Fallujah 
late last year and was serving in Ar Ramadi at the time of his death. 
On February 16, 2005, he was leading a 25-man squad when they came 
under a heavy artillery attack. Staff Sergeant Hendrix was hit and died 
from his wounds.
  For this soldier from Claremore, Ok, there is no deeper honor than 
the memory he leaves behind. He gave of himself in life as well as in 
death, and stands out as an example to all of us. Today I honor a true 
hero, SSG. Jason Hendrix.


                     Specialist Jeffrey S. Henthorn

  Mr. President, I wish to rise in honor of a son of Oklahoma and an 
American hero. SPC Jeffery Henthorn demonstrated the type of patriotism 
that protects our freedom and encourages freedom in other countries. 
For his dedication and sacrifice I am pleased to honor him on the 
Senate floor today.
  Specialist Henthorn was from Choctaw, OK. After earning his high 
school degree, Specialist Henthorn enlisted in the Army and was 
assigned to the 24th Transportation Company, out of Fort Riley, KS.
  Specialist Henthorn was serving in Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi 
Freedom. He died on February 8, 2005, while stationed in Balad, Iraq, 
from noncombat related injuries. He was 25 years old and leaves behind 
family and friends who grieve along with our grateful Nation.
  Specialist Henthorn was willing to place his life on the line and 
paid the fullest cost for the sake of freedom. On behalf of the U.S. 
Senate, I wish to express my profound gratitude and deepest honor for 
the men and women who, like Specialist Henthorn, know the true meaning 
of service. They continue to give so much, and as freedom spreads 
throughout the Middle East region we know that their sacrifice has not 
been in vain.
  I honor the life and memory of those who have given their lives in 
this noble cause. I am grieved, but very proud of this young man from 
Oklahoma, SPC Jeffery Henthorn.


                   Army Specialist. Lyle W. Rymer II

  Mr. President, I wish to honor one of this country's fallen warriors, 
a young man that comes from my home State of Oklahoma. Army SPC Lyle 
Rymer II was making way for freedom in Iraq when he paid the ultimate 
price.
  Specialist Rymer was born in Roland, OK. After graduating from high 
school, he joined the National Guard to help his family. ``That's what 
he decided to do,'' his grandmother Bobby Sue Drake said. ``He liked 
it. He said, `Somebody's got to defend this country. It might as well 
be me.' He was a great kid.'' According to his friends, he planned to 
make a career of the Army and was considering enrolling in Airborne 
school. Rymer also had a reputation for cheering up fellow soldiers.
  Specialist Rymer was serving in Iraq with the 239th Engineer Company, 
an Arkansas-based National Guard unit. On January 28, 2005, he was 
guarding an area where engineers were setting up barriers in 
preparation for the elections. Without warning, he was shot by an enemy 
sniper and died from his wounds. Army Specialist Rymer is buried at 
Fort Smith National Cemetery, AR.
  Many are left behind who are both proud and grieved at his sacrifice. 
Specialist Rymer is survived by his wife LaTisha, a 2-year-old son, 
Sean, and a 10-month-old daughter, Jasmine. He was able to see his 
newborn daughter during a November furlough.
  The loss of Specialist Rymer is one that will continue to be felt as 
the years pass. He was one who gave more than was required, in life and 
in death. He sacrificed his own well-being and put himself in harm's 
way, showing courage that demands our recognition. I am honored to 
honor him, and hope that I somehow express gratefulness beyond these 
mere words.

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