[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Page 16686]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES


                  Army Corporal Nathaniel S. Baughman

  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 
Idaville. Nathaniel S. Baughman, 23 years old, was killed on July 17th 
by rocket-propelled grenades while on duty in Bayji, Iraq. Nate risked 
everything to fight for the values Americans hold close to our hearts, 
in a land halfway around the world.
  Baughman enlisted in the Army National Guard last spring and shortly 
after was deployed to Iraq. He was on his last mission when he was 
killed and was due to return home to Indiana in a few weeks. Baughman 
was remembered by his mother, Jill Baughman, who told a local news 
outlet, ``He was a good dad, a great father. He was a hard worker who 
believed in what he was doing. We're proud of what he did for us, very 
proud of him.'' Nate was a 2001 graduate of Twin Lakes High School. He 
was married 2 years ago and had a son, Hunter, 4.
  Nate was killed while serving his country in Operation Iraqi Freedom. 
He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade 
Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division out of Fort Campbell, KY. This 
brave soldier leaves behind his parents, Robert and Jill Baughman and 
Andy Skorup; twin brother Nick Skorup and brothers Ben, Joseph and 
Christopher Baughman; his wife Erin; son Hunter and Hunter's mother 
Amanda Conrad.
  Today, I join Nate'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 Nate, a memory that will burn brightly 
during these continuing days of conflict and grief.
  Nate was known for his dedication to his family and his love of 
country. Today and always, Nate 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 Nate'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 Nate's actions will live on far longer that any 
record of these words.
  It is my sad duty to enter the name of Nathaniel S. Baughman 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 Nate'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 Nate.

                          ____________________