[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 13]
[Senate]
[Page 17274]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES


                    Army Corporal Christopher Sitton

  Mr. SALAZAR. Mr. President, I wish to speak for a moment to honor the 
memory of a fallen Coloradan: Army Cpl Christopher Franklin Sitton of 
Montrose.
  Corporal Sitton was a medic with the 10th Mountain Division, serving 
in Afghanistan since March. He had just turned 21 and graduated from 
Montrose High School just 3 years ago. Now, instead of having his whole 
life ahead of him, he has been taken from his friends, family and 
country by a roadside bomb in Kunar, in eastern Afghanistan.
  Chris Sitton was looking forward to a medical career. His interest in 
medicine reached back to his childhood, where as a young man in 
Quinlan, TX he would accompany his father, a volunteer with a rescue 
group, on emergency calls.
  Corporal Sitton's time in the Army was marked by excellence, not 
unlike his time in high school. Secialist Sitton entered the Army 
nearly 3 years ago, in January 2004. In his service, Specialist Sitton 
received three commander's coins, recognizing his exemplary performance 
in the Army. One was personally handed to him by a four-star general.
  This achievement is remarkable to many but not to those who knew 
Christopher Sitton. Chris was a natural leader. A standout track star, 
he is pictured mentoring a younger teammate in a photo that hangs in 
his high school track coach's office. Young people naturally gravitated 
to him, and Chris returned their enthusiasm with a smile one friend 
described as big as Texas itself.
  As a young man, Chris Sitton was an accomplished Eagle Scout. He was 
an avid athlete, a musician and outdoorsman, enjoying his time hiking, 
skiing and camping. But perhaps most notable, Chris Sitton left a mark 
on those around him as someone who was always helping others, putting 
them before himself.
  GEN Douglas MacArthur once reflected, ``The soldier, above all other 
people, prays for peace, for he must suffer and bear the deepest wounds 
and scars.'' Chris' legacy as a son, friend and mentor, his willingness 
to put others before himself, shows how fundamentally he understood 
this calling to find a better tomorrow. Corporal Sitton sought to make 
the world a better place in his every action, to bring us to a better 
understanding of the ties that bind humanity together.
  To Corporal Sitton's parents, Judy and Steve Sitton, I know that no 
words can ease the grief you feel at the loss of your son. I and this 
entire Nation share, in some small way, your painful sorrow. Corporal 
Christopher Sitton and his entire family will reside in my prayers 
tonight and remain in my thoughts.


                   Marine Corporal Jordan C. Pierson

  Mr. LIEBERMAN. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to Marine 
Cpl Jordan C. Pierson of Milford, CT.
  Corporal Pierson, a member of Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 25th 
Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, was 
killed in action on August 24 while conducting combat operations 
against anti-Iraqi forces in Al Anbar Province. He was shot while on 
foot patrol. He had been previously awarded the Purple Heart for wounds 
to his arms and legs by shrapnel from an insurgent's grenade 3 months 
prior.
  Having delayed his education at the University of Connecticut, 
Corporal Pierson joined the Marine Corps in December 2003. It seems to 
be apparent by the many recollections of his friends and family that 
Jordan had already proven himself a leader. They recount many of the 
high-spirited exploits that he both engineered and led. However, his 
wily deeds quickly gave way to an outstanding performance as a Marine 
devoted to his comrades and mission.
  He is fondly remembered as a brilliant light and strong leader with 
strength of character and self assurance, persistently watching out for 
his fellow marines. He is described best by his first sergeant: 
``Corporal Pierson had been a bright spot in his platoon, in a place, 
that can take the softest of hearts into a void of darkness. Even when 
the gloom of combat reached deep in a man's soul, Corporal Pierson 
could bring the Marine back to a sense of purpose, a sense of why we 
were here, and that we were making a difference. Corporal Pierson was 
destined not to only be a Marine, but a leader among Marines. He 
fostered a sense of caring for Marines while still embodying all it 
meant to be a Marine.''
  Corporal Jordan Pierson was a true patriot and defender of our great 
Nation's principles of freedom of justice. He served as an example of 
the potent American spirit, which permeates this Nation's history. I am 
both proud and grateful that we have the kind of defender exemplified 
by Corporal Pierson serving our great Nation.
  Our Nation extends its heartfelt condolences to his family. To his 
father Eric, his mother Beverly, and brother Ethan, we extend our 
profound gratitude for sharing this outstanding marine with us, and we 
offer our prayers and support.

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