[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 17]
[Senate]
[Pages 21787-21788]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES


                     Staff Sergeant Jonathan Rojas

 Mr. BAYH. Mr. President, it is with a heavy heart and deep 
sense of gratitude that today I honor the life of a brave young man 
from Hammond. Jonathan Rojas, 27 years old, died on October 3 after 
being struck by a sniper bullet while on patrol in Baghdad. Jonathan 
risked everything to fight for the values Americans hold close to our 
hearts, in a land halfway around the world.
  Jonathan spent several years in the workforce after graduating from 
Hammond High School before enlisting. He had been due to return home to 
Indiana 2 months before he was killed but agreed to stay longer, 
promising his family in Hammond that he would be home in time for 
Christmas. Jonathan was remembered by his brother William as playful 
and warm hearted, when he said, ``We're going to miss him being 
himself, doing stupid things, his company, having a brother, someone to 
talk to.''
  Jonathan was killed, while serving his country in Operation Iraqi 
Freedom. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 
172nd Stryker Brigde Combat Team. This brave soldier leaves behind wife 
Tasha Rojas, parents Jose and Catalina Rojas, brother William Rojas, 
and sister Isaura Rojas.
  Today, I join Jonathan'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 Jonathan, a memory that will burn brightly 
during these continuing days of conflict and grief.
  Jonathan was known for his dedication to his family and his love of 
country. He was looking forward to civilian life and starting a family 
with his wife Tasha. Today and always, Jonathan 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 Jonathan'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 Jonathan's actions will live on far longer 
than any record of these words.
  It is my sad duty to enter the name of Jonathan Rojas 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 
Jonathan'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 Jonathan.

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