[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 7]
[Senate]
[Pages 9051-9052]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   PRIVATE FIRST CLASS DARREN DeBLANC

  Mr. BAYH. Mr. President, I also rise today with a heavy heart and 
deep sense of gratitude to honor the life of a brave young man from 
Evansville. Darren DeBlanc, 20 years old, died on April 29 when a 
roadside bomb exploded during his patrol in Baghdad. With his entire 
life before him, Darren risked everything to fight for the values 
Americans hold close to our hearts, in a land halfway around the world.
  A 2003 graduate of Reitz High School, Darren was only 2 weeks away 
from returning home to Evansville when this tragedy occurred. In March, 
he had been decorated for his bravery in Iraq with a Purple Heart, 
after surviving an earlier bomb attack. Darren had a carefully laid 
plan for his life: he intended to finish his 3-year commitment to the 
Army, then take classes in law enforcement in the hopes of boosting his 
application to join the Evansville police force with his brother. 
Friends and family recount that he was an outgoing, driven, and 
personable young man with a promising future ahead of him. His mother 
Judy Woolard told a local television station, ``I know if he is looking 
down on us, he is very proud with the way his life ended because if he 
was to go, this was the way, trying to help other people.'' I stand 
here today to express Indiana's gratitude for Darren's sacrifices and 
for those made by his family on behalf of our country.
  Darren was killed while serving his country in Operation Iraqi 
Freedom. He was assigned to the 10th Mountain Division, based out of 
Fort Drum, New York. This brave young soldier leaves behind his father 
Michael DeBlanc, Sr., his mother Judy Woolard, and his older brother 
Michael DeBlanc, Jr.
  Today, I join Darren'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 Darren, a memory that will burn brightly 
during these continuing days of conflict and grief.
  Darren was known for his dedication to his family and his love of 
country. Today and always, Darren 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 Darren'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 Darren's actions will live on far longer than any 
record of these words.
  It is my sad duty to enter the name of Darren DeBlanc in the official 
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

[[Page 9052]]

like Darren'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 Darren.

                          ____________________