[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 11]
[House]
[Pages 15228-15229]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING THE EXTRAORDINARY LIFE OF STAFF SERGEANT DUANE DREASKY

  Mr. McCOTTER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to address the 
House.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without objection, the gentleman from 
Michigan is recognized for 5 minutes.
  There was no objection.
  Mr. McCOTTER. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the extraordinary 
life of Staff Sergeant Duane Dreasky of Novi, Michigan, and mourn his 
passing. Staff Sergeant Dreasky proudly served in the 1st Battalion, 
119th Field Artillery Regiment, of the Army National Guard in Lansing, 
Michigan, and he devoted his life to serving our country.
  As a student at Walled Lake Western High School, he enjoyed studying 
military history and playing football, but dreamed of serving his 
country as a soldier. Despite being a versatile athlete who wrestled, 
ran track, sky dived and taught martial arts, Staff Sergeant Dreasky 
suffered a knee injury, which threatened to prevent him from serving in 
the military.
  In March of 2000, Staff Sergeant Dreasky married his best friend, 
Mandy, who served in the United States Army. When Mandy was deployed to 
Iraq in 2003, Staff Sergeant Dreasky transported members of her unit to 
Wisconsin for training and

[[Page 15229]]

helped loved ones communicate with soldiers overseas. Finally, after 
writing to elected officials about his desire to enlist, he was able to 
join the National Guard in June of 2003.
  After basic training, Staff Sergeant Dreasky served in Cuba before 
voluntarily deploying to Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom. On November 
21, 2005, an improvised explosive device detonated near his military 
vehicle near Habbaniyah, Iraq. He sustained severe injuries and was 
transported to the burn center at Brooke Army Medical Center in Fort 
Sam Houston, Texas, for treatment.
  Wrapped in medical bandages and unable to stand, he struggled to 
salute President George W. Bush, who visited him in the hospital. With 
his father, Roger; mother, Cheryl; sister, Dawn; and Mandy by his side, 
Staff Sergeant Dreasky never lost his patriotism.
  For 8 months, Staff Sergeant Dreasky fought courageously for his 
life, but ultimately passed away on July 10, 2006. His legendary 
commitment to his family, community, and country is a testament to his 
enduring and selfless love. Staff Sergeant Dreasky is remembered as an 
inspiration to the citizens of Michigan, a soldier of unyielding 
dedication and a hero. He will be sorely missed.
  Mr. Speaker, during his 31 years, Staff Sergeant Dreasky enriched the 
lives of everyone around him. Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in 
mourning his passing and honoring his contributions to our community 
and our country.

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