[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 6]
[Senate]
[Pages 7594-7595]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES


                           Medic Steven Sirko

  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 Portage. 
Steven Sirko, 20 years old, died on April 17 while stationed in 
Maqdadiyah, Iraq.

[[Page 7595]]

With his entire life before him, Steven risked everything to fight for 
the values Americans hold close to our hearts, in a land halfway around 
the world.
  Recently married to another army medic, Steven turned down a chance 
to stay stateside with the Army's Special Forces in order to be in Iraq 
near his wife. A football player in high school, Steven was remembered 
by friends and family as a tough, outgoing student. His father told a 
local newspaper, that his son was ``very strong, very outgoing, very 
respectful. After 9/11, like so many young men, he wanted to fight 
terrorism.'' His stepbrother, who also served in the Army, called 
Steven, ``the light of any crowd.''
  Steven was killed while serving his country in Operation Iraqi 
Freedom. He served in the first battalion, 30th infantry regiment, 
third brigade, and third infantry division. This brave young soldier 
leaves behind his wife, Virginia; his father, Rick Sirko; his mother, 
Linda Lipford; his stepmother, Rose Sirko; three sisters; one brother; 
and two stepbrothers;.
  Today, I join Steven'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 Steven, a memory that will burn brightly 
during these continuing days of conflict and grief.
  Steven was known for his dedication to his family and his love of 
country. Today and always, Steven 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 Steven'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 Steven's actions will live on far longer than any 
record of these words.
  It is my sad duty to enter the name of Steven Sirko in the 
Congressional Record of the 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 Steven'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 Steven.


                         Specialist Grant Croft

  Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, I rise today to publicly recognize SPC 
Grant Croft of Sioux Falls, SD, for receiving the Army Commendation 
Medal.
  Specialist Croft is serving in Mosul, Iraq, as a medic for the 2nd 
Platoon, 194th Military Police Company based at Fort Campbell, KY. He 
is a talented and dedicated serviceman, who, according to his 
superiors, ``On a daily basis, sets the standard for what a soldier 
medic should be. Specialists Croft's strength, stamina and moral 
character are a constant source of strength for our platoon.''
  On January 21, 2005, while training at the Udari Range in Iraq, prior 
to the platoon's arrival in Mosul, Specialist Croft earned the Army 
Commendation Medal for his performance following an Apache helicopter 
crash. The Army's description of the event states: ``Without regard for 
his own safety, Specialist Croft quickly moved to the crashed aircraft 
and immediately began the necessary medical treatment for [the pilots'] 
life threatening injuries. He placed himself in harms way through the 
entire process. His selfless act and professional actions were those of 
a highly skilled and dedicated medic.''
  It is with great honor that I share Specialist Croft's tremendous 
accomplishments with my colleagues. He is a true patriot, and America 
is deeply grateful for his service.

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