[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 18]
[Senate]
[Pages 24352-24353]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES


             Honoring Army Specialist Christopher T. Monroe

  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 
Kendallville. Christopher Monroe, 19 years old, died on October 25 in 
Basra, Iraq. With his entire life before him, Chris risked everything 
to fight for the values Americans hold close to our hearts, in a land 
halfway around the world.
  Remembered for his strong family ties and devotion to the Army, Chris 
was killed while filling in for a friend on a convoy, a change from his 
typical desk job. After September 11, Chris had yearned to serve his 
country and follow in the family tradition of military service. He 
begged his mother to allow him to enlist early at age 17. The 2004 East 
Noble High School student had been in Iraq for only a couple months 
when he was killed. Friends and family recounted that Chris was an 
outgoing, generous young man who had given up his Christmas leave to 
allow others in his unit to be with their families for the holidays. 
His mother, Annette, told local media outlets that she was proud of her 
son and that he died doing what he was born to do. Chris was engaged 
and was planning an October 2006 wedding.
  Chris was killed while serving his country in Operation Iraqi 
Freedom. He was a member of the Army Reserve's 785th Military Police 
Battalion, based out of Fraser, MI. This brave young soldier leaves 
behind his father Perry Bolton II; his mother Annette Monroe; and his 
brothers Greg and Nick.
  Today, I join Chris'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 Chris, a memory that will burn brightly 
during these continuing days of conflict and grief.
  Chris was known for his dedication to his family and his love of 
country. Today and always, Chris 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 Chris'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 Chris's actions will live on far 
longer that any record of these words.
  It is my sad duty to enter the name of Christopher Monroe in the 
Congressional 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 Chris'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 Chris.

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