[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Page 16947]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES


                Private First Class Derek James Plowman

  Mrs. LINCOLN. Mr. President, today I wish to pay tribute to a brave 
young man from Arkansas who lost his life while serving our Nation in 
uniform. PFC Derek James Plowman is remembered by those who knew him 
best as a compassionate soul, who was always quick to bring a smile to 
the faces of those around him. Having grown up in a large family that 
was often filled with laughter, he quickly became the life of every 
party, developing a special gift for being at ease in large groups and 
brightening the spirits of the people he came in contact with.
  Shortly after moving to northwest Arkansas from Florida in 2004, 
Private First Class Plowman graduated from Valley Springs High School. 
Hoping to study psychology some day, he enlisted in the Arkansas Army 
National Guard for an opportunity to earn money towards his college 
education. It was also an opportunity for him to serve his country, a 
decision that personified the selfless attitude of this young man.
  In the Guard, Private First Class Plowman was a cook assigned to the 
142nd Brigade, a brigade comprised of citizen soldiers from north and 
northwest Arkansas. Upon returning home from basic training, he was 
informed by one of his superior officers that he would soon be 
mobilized for service in Operation Iraqi Freedom. With courage and 
reassurance, he looked his Sergeant in the eye and said ``That's OK. I 
signed on the dotted line and I've got a job to do.''
  The 142nd was mobilized for duty in Iraq on December 7, 2005, and was 
scheduled to return next summer. Tragically, Private First Class 
Plowman died from a gunshot wound on July 20 while serving with his 
brigade in Baghdad. In a memorial service at Valley Springs High 
School, over 200 mourners gathered to pay their respects for this 
fallen soldier and to comfort his family. He was later laid to rest at 
Western Grove Cemetery in Harrison, AR.
  The loss of this special young man is a sobering reminder of the 
tragic human cost of war. The loss of any of our brave men and women in 
uniform is felt by not only their friends and loved ones but also by 
communities and families across our Nation that they fought to defend.
  Words cannot adequately express the sorrow felt in the hearts of the 
family and loved ones of Derek Plowman, but I pray they can find solace 
in the courageous way he lived his life. My thoughts and prayers are 
with his mother and stepfather, Kim and Andrew Campbell, his father, 
Donald Plowman, his brothers and sisters, and with all those who knew 
and loved him.

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