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




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES


                PRIVATE FIRST CLASS ROBERT W. MURRAY JR.

  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 
Westfield. Robert Murray, 21 years old, died on April 29 when a bomb 
exploded beside his vehicle during a reconnaissance mission in Tal 
Afar. With his entire life before him, Robert risked everything to 
fight for the values Americans hold close to our hearts, in a land 
halfway around the world.
  After graduating from Westfield High School in 2002, Robert attended 
Indiana State University where he studied aviation management. He was a 
licensed pilot and a musician who decided to join the Army because of 
family history and a sense of patriotism and duty after the tragic 
events of 9/11. Friends and colleagues remember him as a determined and 
well-liked individual with a good sense of humor. His mother Katrina 
Murray released a statement praising her son's heroism, saying, ``From 
an early age, Robert wanted to enter the military. This was the path he 
chose, and I want to honor his choice by remembering him as a hero who 
served his country proudly and made the ultimate sacrifice. He will be 
missed by our entire family and his many friends. He brought so much 
joy and laughter.'' I stand here today to express the same sentiments 
of pride in this young Hoosier and gratitude for his sacrifices and for 
those made by the Murray family on behalf of our country.
  Robert was killed while serving his country in Operation Iraqi 
Freedom. He was assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry 
Regiment, based in Fort Carson, CO. This brave young soldier leaves 
behind his father Robert W. Murray Sr. his mother Katrina and his two 
sisters.
  Today, I join Robert'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 Robert, a memory that will burn brightly 
during these continuing days of conflict and grief.
  Robert was known for his dedication to his family and his love of 
country. Today and always, Robert 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 Robert'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 Robert's actions will live on far longer than any 
record of these words.
  It is my sad duty to enter the name of Robert W. Murray, Jr. 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 like 
Robert'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 Robert.

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