[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Pages 14705-14708]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES


                      Lance Corporal Dustin Derga

  Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, this evening I rise to pay tribute to a 
courageous marine, LCpl Dustin Derga, of Pickerington, OH. Dustin was 
killed in Iraq while fighting insurgents on May 8, 2005, Mother's Day. 
After taking an interest in the military as a child, Dustin served 5\1/
2\ years as a marine, and Operation Iraqi Freedom was to be his final 
deployment. Sadly, 24-year-old Dustin died just 1 month short of his 
scheduled homecoming.
  He is survived by his mother Stephanie, his father and stepmother, 
Robert and Marla, sister Kristin, and girlfriend Kristin Earhart.
  A 1999 graduate of Pickerington High School, Dustin went on to attend 
Columbus State Community College, where he pursued a degree in EMS and 
fire science. He also served his community by working as a firefighter.
  Robert Derga shared these words about his son:

       Dustin was a great pitcher and could play just about any 
     position. He loved to play catcher, which was unusual. I 
     remember all the weekends we would go out to the ball 
     diamonds and watch him play ball. We really enjoyed that. He 
     loved working with his hands. He just loved doing things and 
     getting his elbows dirty.

  Friends describe Dustin as fun-loving and said he was always trying 
to make others laugh. His father recalled that:

       Dustin had a wonderful, fun personality. When you first met 
     him, he seemed quiet and somewhat reserved--at least he let 
     you think that. But once he got to know you, he would reveal 
     that he is a practical joker at heart and the life of the 
     party. He always had a great smile on his face. All the guys 
     in Dustin's unit said he was always making them laugh.

  Laura Giller of Pickerington said this about Dustin:

       Dustin was my friend, and I always enjoyed seeing his face 
     wherever I went. I worked with him, and whenever he was 
     there, it made the day that much better. He always told the 
     silliest jokes. I will never forget the friendship that 
     Dustin gave me. Thank God for men like him.

  Erik Mellquist, another hometown friend of Dustin's, wrote the 
following on an Internet tribute site:

       Dustin was a great guy. I remember laughing constantly 
     during cub scouts and little league baseball whenever Dustin 
     was around. Thank you for sharing him with the rest of us.

  Friends also emphasized Dustin's loyalty to the Marines. Fellow 
reservist Jeff Schmitz of Pickerington commented:

       I saw Dustin around the Reserve Center on drill weekends. 
     He was a great Marine and an even better human being. He will 
     be greatly missed.

  Retired marine Mike Hamilton added:

       Dustin was a friend and fellow firefighter here in 
     Baltimore, OH. I used to kid him about being too small to be 
     a marine. He would set me straight, and then we would discuss 
     the differences between the new Marine Corps he was in and 
     the old one I was in. We both loved the Corps.

  Dustin's loyalty to his military service was also apparent to his 
family and to those with whom he served. Robert

[[Page 14706]]

said that his son ``had a passion for the Corps and was proud to be a 
Marine. Dustin really respected his brothers in the unit and he tried 
to have a good time with his comrades, even under the worst of 
conditions.''
  Dustin's girlfriend Kristin wrote:

       Dustin was a great man. I wish everyone would have been 
     given the opportunity to know him. He was my world, my heart, 
     and my soul. His smile would make your heart melt. He was so 
     honored to be a part of the U.S. Marine Corps and defend 
     every last one of us.

  A friend named Martin shared the following memories of Dustin, and 
also his good friend, Nick Erdy, a fellow marine who died 3 days after 
Dustin. This is what his friend, Martin, said:

       Derga and Erdy were some of the first guys I got to know 
     when I joined the unit. They were all about having fun and 
     enjoying life. Even in Iraq, they seemed to make the worst 
     situations turn into great ones. Their character is what made 
     our platoon what it was. We were full of jokes, laughter, and 
     memorable experiences. The first platoon will never be the 
     same without them and the others that we lost. They were 
     great guys, and they will be remembered in our hearts 
     forever. They will never be forgotten.

  Upon returning from Iraq, Dustin planned to finish college and use 
his savings to buy a new truck. In one of his last notes home he wrote:

       I miss everyone a lot and can't wait to get home and go on 
     maybe three vacations. I look forward to one vacation in 
     particular.

  He and his girlfriend Kristen had been planning on taking a vacation 
with his friend Nick Erdy and his fiance Ashley Boots.
  Ashley said they just wanted to go somewhere fun to relax. These 
plans, of course, came to a tragic end when both men died within 3 days 
of each other in Iraq.
  After their deaths, Kristen wrote:

       I just wish we could have had the chance to continue our 
     lives the way we planned, but at least you are with Erdy. And 
     don't worry, Ashley and I will never forget you two.

  Nor will the rest of us forget the brave sacrifices made by these 
fine young men. My wife Fran and I continue to keep the family of 
Dustin Derga in our thoughts and in our prayers.


                              Edward Seitz

  Mr. President, I would like to pay tribute this evening to a brave 
Ohioan who lost his life while protecting the U.S. State Department 
personnel in Iraq. Edward Seitz was the first U.S. diplomat to be 
killed in Iraq since Operation Iraqi Freedom began in March 2003. He 
died on October 24, 2004, after a mortar shell struck him in the Green 
Zone in Camp Victory. He was 41 years old.
  Ed grew up in Garfield Heights and in Brecksville, OH. He graduated 
from Holy Name High School in 1981 where he was on the wrestling team 
and then went on to Baldwin-Wallace College. Edward leaves behind his 
wife Joyce, his parents Elroy and Alba, a brother William, and a 
sister-in-law Colleen.
  Colleen described her brother-in-law as ``a large man with a John 
Wayne kind of figure whose trademark outfit included a vest, button 
down shirt, boots, and felt hat.''
  He was sent to Baghdad for a 1-year assignment with the State 
Department's Bureau of Diplomatic Security, which is the State 
Department's security unit. William said that his brother's work was 
his life. I continue to quote:

       He did what he could to protect this country and to keep 
     terrorism from your front door. He was 100 percent into the 
     government and 100 percent into doing what he wanted to do to 
     defeat terrorism. That's what he did and how he did it. 
     That's what he gave his life for. That's what made him Eddy. 
     That's what made him my brother.

  Colleen echoed her husband's sentiments by saying:

       Ed was just an amazing man. There was just nothing that he 
     wouldn't do for someone. Every time he'd get on the phone, 
     he'd say: What can I do for you? What do you need? What can I 
     help with? That's just the way he was, and that's just what 
     he was trying to do there.

  I would like to read portions of the remarks that Joe D. Morton, the 
Director of the Diplomatic Security Service, gave at Ed's funeral 
because I find it particularly telling of Ed's life and values, and 
descriptive of his life and values:

       In 16-plus years of service with the Department of State 
     and the Diplomatic Security Service, Ed's strength and 
     character and his dedication to family and to this 
     organization were his hallmarks. His work was nothing short 
     of magnificent. He accepted every challenge willingly and 
     always performed with an unmatched level of excellence. Ed 
     took on some of the most important missions throughout his 
     career. Ed protected Secretaries of State and other foreign 
     dignitaries so that they could conduct their business safely 
     and securely in the hope of bringing peace and stability to 
     troubled regions of the world.
       Not only was Ed an exceptional agent, but he was an 
     exceptional person as well. In an organization where so many 
     interactions and personal contacts are short-lived by 
     reassignments and the transient nature of the profession, the 
     depths of personal friendships and length of time of the 
     friendships Ed developed are quite remarkable. Ed's 
     classmates from his basic agent training days unanimously 
     remember Ed's caring and unselfish dedication to his 
     colleagues and the organization. Ed would always be looking 
     out for the welfare and safety of his fellow agents. Ed's 
     first words to a person were, What can I do to help? He was 
     always attending to the needs of his colleagues. No request 
     was beyond the realm of possibility.
       Once, in the midst of a particularly grueling trip, Ed 
     literally gave another agent the shirt he was wearing so that 
     agent could attend a senior level meeting. It is all these 
     memories that stay with us forever.
       Shortly after receiving word of Ed's death, the consulate 
     in Shenyang held a memorial service in Ed's honor. The 
     outpouring of emotions from those who worked with Ed and from 
     those whose lives were touched by Ed, even after several 
     years had passed, are a tremendous tribute to Ed's character 
     and personality. His dedication to his profession is only 
     outmatched by his devotion to his family.
       Several years ago, when Ed and another agent were meeting 
     in Ed's hotel room, the agent noticed a wedding photo in the 
     room. When asked about it, Ed replied that it was a wedding 
     photo of his parents and he took it with him wherever he 
     traveled.
       Ed's life was complete when he met his wife Joyce in Yemen. 
     Their friends unanimously note that Joyce was Ed's perfect 
     match. Ed was never happier than when he was with Joyce.

  Again, those were the words of Joe Morton, the Director of the 
Diplomatic Security Service. I feel they perfectly capture what Ed 
stood for and what he fought for.
  I would like to close by reading a poem written by one of Ed's 
cousins entitled ``The Third Tour.'' This is the poem:

     The tower fell in Baghdad today.
     Unlike the World Trade Center's Twin Towers, this tower is 
           not made of concrete and glass.
     This structure was formed with the steel of conviction.
     Each element, riveted with the strength of brotherhood.
     Larger than life was Eddy, a tower built not of man, but 
           created by God.
     A tower of a man to stand between terror and calm.
     A friend and relative to be proud of. We all felt safer, 
           somehow, knowing you were there.
     We prayed for you and an end to the conflict.
     A clink of the glass to celebrate a tower of a man.

  Mr. President, this tower of a man, Edward Seitz, will indeed be 
dearly missed by his family and friends here at home, as well as those 
individuals whose lives he touched overseas. My wife Fran and I will 
continue to keep him and his family in our prayers.


                STAFF SERGEANT ROGER CLINTON TURNER, JR.

  Mr. President, I today pay tribute to a fine soldier and fellow 
Ohioan. SSG Roger Clinton Turner, Jr.--``Clinton'' as he was known--
lost his life while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was killed 
February 1, 2004 when the sleeping area of his base camp came under 
mortar fire. Clinton was 37 years-old.
  When I think about the sacrifices our men and women in uniform and 
their families make in the service of our Nation, I am reminded of 
something President Ronald Reagan said about the strength of the 
American people. He said,

       Putting people first has always been America's secret 
     weapon. It's the way we've kept the spirit of our revolutions 
     alive--a spirit that drives us to dream and dare, and take 
     risks for the greater good.

  Clinton embodies the spirit President Reagan describes. He dedicated 
his life to military service and risked his well-being to bring freedom 
to the Iraqi people. Clinton excelled in his military career--but more 
importantly, he excelled as a son, husband, and father.

[[Page 14707]]

  Clinton was born in Elgin, IL, but moved with his family to Ohio when 
he was 8 years old. At a young age, Clinton's mother Dottie recognized 
her son's artistic talent. She remembers how he loved to sketch and 
act, in addition to his other hobbies of reading comic books and 
playing video games.
  Clinton attended Meigs High School in Pomeroy, OH, where he 
cultivated his love for the stage. He starred in several theatrical 
productions as a member of the school's drama club, including roles as 
Ebenezer Scrooge in ``A Christmas Carol'' and Ralph Malph in ``Happy 
Days.''
  Celia McCoy, a drama teacher at Meigs High School, had Clinton in 
several classes and remembers his role as Sam Smalley in 
``Crosspatch.'' She considered that role a difficult one because it was 
the opposite of Clinton's natural personality--Smalley was crude, 
whereas Clinton could not have been a nicer kid. Celia stated, ``A lot 
of high school students would have been intimidated to play this role, 
but not Clinton.''
  In addition to his acting talents, Clinton was known by both teachers 
and students as a great guy to be around. Clinton's younger sister, 
Charmele Spradling, described him as the ``class clown'' who loved to 
laugh. ``He was definitely a character,'' she said. ``He had a very 
good sense of humor, was a good student, and a very bright young man.''
  After winning several acting awards in high school, Clinton enrolled 
at Ohio University as a theatre major. A little more than a year later, 
however, Clinton did what most college students do. He changed his 
major--to elementary education. This would not be the last major change 
he would announce to his mother.
  While a student at Ohio University, Clinton served in the National 
Guard and found that he enjoyed military life. So much so that he 
wanted to make it a career. He also found the love of his life--his 
future wife, Teresa. Clinton's mother Dottie vividly remembers the 
phone call when her son laid out his life plan. She recalls, ``He 
called and asked if I was sitting down one day. Then, all in one breath 
he said he was quitting school, enlisting in the Navy, and getting 
married. I did sit down!''
  Clinton served in the United States Navy for five years and was 
deployed during Operation Desert Storm, where he served as a radar man. 
After returning from Desert Storm Clinton changed service branches and 
enlisted in the Army. In total, Clinton dedicated 19 years of his life 
in service to our Nation.
  More than a career serviceman, however, Clinton was a great dad. He 
and his wife Teresa considered their greatest accomplishments to be 
their son Steven and daughter Tabitha. Clinton's sister Denise 
remembers him as ``a playful father to his children.'' Though he did 
not like to leave his family, Clinton was committed to his country and 
went to Iraq when his unit was called.
  As a supervisor for an armored tank repair unit with the 10th Cavalry 
Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, based out of Fort Hood, TX, Clinton 
had been in Iraq since the start of military operations there. He was 
stationed at a base in Balad, Iraq, 50 miles south of the Division's 
headquarters in Tikrit. Military officials reported that Clinton was 
killed when the sleeping area of his base camp came under mortar fire. 
He was evacuated to a combat support hospital, where he died from his 
injuries.
  On that day, our Nation lost a great soldier. Teresa lost her 
husband; Steven and Tabitha lost their father; Denise, Charmele Monica, 
and Katrina lost their brother; and Dottie lost her son. Dottie says 
she will always remember Clinton as ``a devoted family man and a 
devoted military man who was proud to serve his country. He was a good 
son who was never in trouble. This is the way I want my son to be 
remembered. He loved his family and he loved his country. I think 
that's the greatest thing you can say about anybody.''
  At the service held in his honor, the Reverend William Williamson 
delivered a statement from Clinton's wife Teresa, which read, ``Every 
time there is a smiling child's face in Iraq . . . it's because you 
made the sacrifice.''
  SSG Roger Clinton Turner paid the ultimate sacrifice in the service 
of our Nation and for the Iraqi people. I know that he will live on in 
the hearts and minds of all those who had the privilege of knowing him. 
My wife, Fran, and I continue to keep Clinton's family and friends in 
our thoughts and prayers.


                      army sergeant bryan w. large

  Mr. President, today I pay tribute to a courageous soldier in the war 
on terror, Army SGT Bryan Large of Cuyahoga Falls, OH. Bryan was killed 
by a roadside bomb in Iraq on October 3, 2005 during his third tour of 
duty. Having joined the Army after the September 11th terrorist 
attacks, Bryan served in Afghanistan in 2003 and in Iraq in 2004. A 
loving father to 14-year-old daughter Devan and 10-year-old daughter 
Kylie, Bryan is also survived by his mother Linda, father Larry, sister 
Michelle, and girlfriend Heather Bigalow.
  Everyone who knew Bryan emphasized his devotion to his daughters. His 
Aunt Cybil stressed the many different roles that Bryan fulfilled:

       He was an outstanding soldier, treasured grandson, devoted 
     son and dad; but he was most proud of his role as a father.

  Joshua Woods, who was twice deployed with Bryan, said:

       Bryan embodied the principles he preached--love of God, 
     love of family, and love of country. In 25 years, I've never 
     met a man who lived more for his daughters. I've never met a 
     man who lived life as honestly as he did.

  Most importantly, his daughters knew how much they were loved by 
their father. At services after his death, Bryan's 10-year-old daughter 
Kylie recalled, ``He was a great father and a very good soldier.'' 
Fourteen-year-old daughter Devan added, ``He loved doing what he did 
and he loved his daughters.''
  A 1992 graduate of Cuyahoga Falls High School, Bryan served as a 
Sergeant, Paratrooper, and Field Medic with the U.S. Army's 3rd 
Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airbourne Division. 
He was 31 years old when he died.
  According to Bryan's father Larry, Bryan had his mother's sense of 
compassion and his father's determination. This combination of 
qualities served Bryan well in his roll as an Army Field Medic. Bryan's 
Executive Officer during his second tour in Iraq had this to say about 
him:

       As the company's senior medic, I was always going to him 
     with issues and to ask for help. It didn't take longer that 
     about 10 seconds for me to realize that he was a man who 
     could make things happen . . . I often think how he would 
     have helped a wounded insurgent without hesitation if the 
     situation had arisen.

  Bryan was a selfless individual who always put others ahead of 
himself. He didn't want his family back home to worry about him and 
told his mother that he wouldn't be on the front lines and would be 
okay. Even while he was deployed, he tried to keep the morale high 
among his fellow service members. Bryan's colleague, Sergeant William 
Fecke wrote:

       Large was a good man, and I had the pleasure of knowing 
     him. He was the kind of guy you just couldn't forget. His 
     sense of humor helped a lot of us get through the day. He 
     will be missed by all of us.

  According to family, Bryan was always willing to try new things. He 
tried to learn how to cook with his sister Michelle, and his specialty 
was deep-frying turkeys. In his free time, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, 
and working on cars.
  Fellow soldiers say Bryan often talked about his family and his plans 
for when he got out of the Army. Sergeant David Bucholz wrote the 
following on a memorial Web site for Bryan:

       I had the pleasure of knowing Sergeant Bryan Large for the 
     biggest part of my military career. He was appointed as the 
     Platoon Sergeant; and, being the natural leader he was, he 
     excelled in the position. Bryan and I were in EMT-1 school 
     together and we often talked of our plans once getting out of 
     the Army. He wanted to be a firefighter and spend time in 
     North Carolina as a volunteer. He had a knack for connecting 
     with people and helping people. I'll never forget the night 
     when I heard that his vehicle was hit. I think he was a 
     closer friend to all that knew him than we could ever 
     realize.


[[Page 14708]]


  Bryan also had many close friends and family members back home, which 
was evidenced by the 800 people who attended his funeral. Hundreds more 
lined the streets to pay their final respects and either saluted or 
held their hands over their hearts as the funeral procession rolled by. 
Bryan's daughter Kylie rolled down her car window during the procession 
and yelled, ``Thank you! God bless you all! Thank you!''
  Reflecting on the outpouring of community support, Cuyahoga Falls 
Mayor Don Robart said, ``One of our own lost his life for our freedom 
and liberty. Today is about rallying around this family and honoring 
that man.'' During the funeral service, Reverend Thomas Woost 
reflected:

       Today is a day of great pride in who we are as American 
     people, where strangers are standing side by side waving 
     symbols in memory of the man who worked to preserve and 
     protect our country. Today is about freedom, sacrifice, and 
     heroes. Bryan made the ultimate sacrifice for his country. 
     There is no greater love than to die for another.

  This past April 2006, Cuyahoga Falls included a memorial service for 
Bryan in their community Arbor Day celebration. The city planted a Fort 
McNair horse chestnut tree in memory of him. Bryan's family worked with 
the city to choose that particular type of tree because of its red 
blossoms. Bryan's father Larry observed that as the tree grows with the 
passing years, it will be noticed more and more. ``It's all in Bryan's 
honor,'' he said. ``He was bigger than life.''
  His father described Bryan as ``a wonderful father, a wonderful son, 
and a true patriot for our country.'' Indeed, Bryan will be remembered 
as a loving and devoted father, a selfless son, and a compassionate and 
determined soldier. My wife Fran and I continue to keep the family of 
Bryan Large in our thoughts and prayers.

                          ____________________