[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 1]
[Senate]
[Pages 749-750]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES


                  Private First Class Brian J. Schoff

  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 who was born 
in Michigan City. Brian Schoff, 22 years old, died on January 29 when a 
roadside bomb exploded near his humvee during a combat operation. With 
his entire life before him, Brian risked everything to fight for the 
values Americans hold close to our hearts, in a land halfway around the 
world.
  Although Brian moved to Tennessee when he was young, his valor over 
the course of his service in Iraq is proof that he was a Hoosier at 
heart. He joined the Army in 2003, a year after he graduated from high 
school, because he wanted to serve his country. Brian enjoyed the 
military, but he intended to return to Indiana in May to join his 
father working at Sullair Corporation. His father described his son to 
local media outlets as an adventurous, active person who enjoyed 
hunting, fishing and sports.
  Brian was killed while serving his country in Operation Iraqi 
Freedom. He was a member of the 101st Airborne Division based at Fort 
Campbell, KY. This brave young soldier leaves behind his father, Brian 
L. Schoff, and his mother, Cathy Odle of Manchester, TN.
  Today, I join Brian'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 Brian, a memory that will burn brightly 
during these continuing days of conflict and grief.
  Brian was known for his dedication to his family and his love of 
country. Today and always, Brian 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 Brian's sacrifice, I 
am reminded of President Lincoln's remarks

[[Page 750]]

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 Brian's actions will 
live on far longer that any record of these words.
  It is my sad duty to enter the name of Brian J. Schoff 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 Brian'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 Brian.

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