[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 14]
[Senate]
[Pages 19491-19492]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES


                    ARMY STAFF SERGEANT JEREMY DOYLE

  Mr. BAYH. Mr. President, I rise today with a heavy heart and deep 
sense of gratitude to honor the life of a brave soldier who attended 
high school in Indianapolis and whose family resides in Martinsville. 
Jeremy Doyle, 24 years old, died on August 18 when his vehicle was 
struck by a roadside bomb in Samarra, Iraq. With so much of his life 
left before him, Jeremy risked everything to fight for the values 
Americans hold close to our hearts, in a land halfway around the world.
  Although he did not call Martinsville home, Jeremy's impact on the 
town was demonstrated by the hundreds of families who lined the town's 
streets for 3\1/2\ miles as his funeral procession wound through 
downtown. At the funeral, family members remembered Jeremy as a 
jokester and a soldier who deeply loved his family and the U.S. 
military. A commander of an armored humvee, Jeremy was on his second 
tour of duty in Iraq having returned to Iraq after being slightly 
wounded last spring while he tried to deactivate an explosive. His 
uncle told the crowd gathered at Jeremy's funeral service: [Jeremy] 
will forever be my hero. I stand here today to express the same 
feelings of pride and gratitude for this young man's sacrifices and 
those made by his family on behalf of our country.
  Jeremy was killed while serving his country in Operation Iraqi 
Freedom. He was assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division, stationed at 
Fort Wayne, GA. This brave young soldier leaves behind his wife, Leah 
McGinnis Doyle.
  Today, I join Jeremy'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 Jeremy, a memory that will burn brightly 
during these continuing days of conflict and grief.
  Jeremy was known for his dedication to his family and his love of 
country. Today and always, Jeremy 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 Jeremy'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 Jeremy's actions will live on far longer than any record 
of these words.
  It is my sad duty to enter the name of Jeremy Doyle 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 Jeremy'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 Jeremy.


                     Army Sergeant Michael Schafer

  Mr. President, with a heavy heart and deep sense of gratitude I wish 
to honor the life of a brave soldier from Crown Point. Michael Schafer, 
25 years old, died on July 25 from enemy gunfire on a quick reaction 
force mission in Oruzgan, Afghanistan. With so much of his life left 
before him, Michael risked everything to fight for the values Americans 
hold close to our hearts, in a land halfway around the world.
  A generous and humorous man, Michael enlisted in the military 
following high school and re-enlisted 2 years ago. In joining the 
military, Michael continued a family tradition, as his father, Mark, 
served in the Navy. He was among the paratroopers who jumped into 
northern Iraq in March 2003 at the start of the war. Upon the 
completion of his time in the Army, Michael dreamed of becoming a 
police officer. A true believer in the cause of freedom, Michael often 
told his family that he loved what he was doing. His family recounted 
to a local newspaper their pride in Michael and his habit of putting 
others before himself. 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.
  Michael was killed while serving his country in Operation Enduring 
Freedom. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 
Vicenza, Italy. This brave young soldier leaves behind his wife, 
Danielle, and their adopted son.
  Today, I join Michael'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 Michael, a memory that will burn brightly 
during these continuing days of conflict and grief.
  Michael was known for his dedication to his family and his love of 
country. Today and always, Michael 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 Michael'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 Michael's actions will live on far 
longer than any record of these words.
  It is my sad duty to enter the name of Michael Schafer in the 
official record of the United States 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 Michael'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 Michael.

[[Page 19492]]



                          ____________________