[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 17]
[Senate]
[Pages 22187-22190]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES


                  Private First Class Jeffrey Shaffer

  Mrs. LINCOLN. Mr. President, it is my honor to rise today to pay 
tribute to one of Arkansas' fallen heroes, PFC Jeffrey Shaffer, who 
gave his life serving our country in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
  By all accounts from family and friends, Private First Class Shaffer 
lived his life to the fullest. For this young man, that meant caring 
for others, having fun, and making people laugh, even when confronted 
with life's challenges. The image of a tough soldier masked the side 
most familiar to his loved ones, that of a more playful young man who 
pulled pranks and brought laughter to lives of others. His stepfather, 
Mark Adams, recalls a golf outing where neither he nor Jeff was playing 
particularly well. Rather than suffer through the rest of the game, and 
to the surprise of Mark, Private First Class Shaffer jumped in the 
water and began collecting golf balls. Mark had never had more fun 
playing golf. The day was a testament to the effect Private First Class 
Shaffer often had on others.
  But he also had a humble, more serious side and a deep sense of 
commitment to his country. While working for his uncle's masonry 
contracting business in Harrison, AR, he took time to earn his GED. 
Shortly thereafter, and to the surprise of many in his family, he 
joined the U.S. Army in February 2005. The tragic events of September 
11 changed how he viewed the world and motivated him to serve in the 
military. For Private First Class Shaffer, serving in the Army was a 
way he could contribute to the safety of his family and security of all 
Americans.
  The 20-year-old was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 6th Infantry 
Regiment, 1st Armored Division. After being stationed in Germany, 
Private First Class Shaffer was deployed to Kuwait and later Iraq. 
Witnessing close friends lose their lives in Iraq, he was never naive 
about the dangerous realities of war. He believed whatever happened to 
him was God's will and often told this to his mother to calm her fears. 
Private First Class Shaffer's life ended on September 13, 2006, after a 
roadside bomb

[[Page 22188]]

detonated near his Bradley assault vehicle.
  On September 16, family, friends, and fellow soldiers gathered at 
Calvary Baptist Church in Waco, TX, to pay tribute to the life and 
legacy of Jeffrey Shaffer. I am proud to pay tribute to him today and 
am thankful for his service to our country. He leaves behind a 2-year-
old daughter, Makayla Grace, who I hope will one day know that her 
father took full advantage of what life had to offer and brought untold 
happiness to those around him. My thoughts and prayers are with her, 
Jeffrey's parents, his aunt and uncle, and all those who knew and loved 
him.


                   Lance Corporal Kyle Wesley Powell

  Mr. SALAZAR. Mr. President, I want to bring to the Senate's attention 
the loss of a young man of great promise from my home State of 
Colorado: Marine LCpl Kyle Wesley Powell. A member of Unit C Co, 1st 
Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary 
Force out of Camp Pendleton, Lance Corporal Powell was killed earlier 
this month in Fallujah, Iraq.
  Kyle Powell was a native of Colorado Springs. He was an Eagle Scout 
who graduated from Cheyenne Mountain High School, and joined the Marine 
Corps in September 2003. Lance Corporal Powell was on his third tour as 
a marine in Iraq. During his second tour, he received the Navy 
Achievement Medal after a bunker which he had designed and constructed 
absorbed an attack of several enemy rocket-propelled grenades, 
protecting the marines within it.
  In fact, just a few days before his passing, Lance Corporal Powell 
had saved the life of another fellow marine, applying a tourniquet and 
firing his weapon at the enemy until they could be rescued.
  What jumps out about Lance Corporal Powell is that when people speak 
of him, one word keeps coming up: leader.
  ``He was always, always ready to go and lead from the front,'' said 
LTC Wayne Sinclair, commander of the 1st CEB.
  In fact, at the time of his untimely loss, Lance Corporal Powell was 
leading a convoy moving to help extract a group of fellow marines from 
hostile territory. He was conducting a mine sweep when he was killed, 
likely saving the lives of five other marines who were behind him in a 
humvee.
  I noted before that Lance Corporal Powell was on his third tour in 
Iraq. But it should be noted that he went on this third tour by choice: 
in August, he chose to lead by example. He volunteered to go to Iraq 
because his unit was short of others to send overseas.
  At a time when so many of our young men and women are preoccupied 
with the coming course schedules at colleges and universities, Kyle 
Powell was focused on helping the people of Iraq.
  Kyle's parents, Nancy and David are former Army officers, and they 
know firsthand the dangers their son faced. They know the same pride he 
felt in doing the work that by all accounts he truly loved.
  Nancy and David, our Nation mourns the loss of your son with you. We 
celebrate his service to our Nation, his willingness to always 
selflessly step to the front and lead so that others, be they in his 
unit or half a world away in his hometown, would be safer. Our Nation 
is humbled by his heroism, and we hope your grief is soothed by knowing 
that his sacrifice is forever appreciated by every American.


                   LIEUTENANT COLONEL ERIC J. KRUGER

  Mr. President, I wish to take a moment to recall the life and service 
of Army LTC Eric J. Kruger, who was killed near Baghdad earlier this 
month. He was the highest-ranking officer from Fort Carson, CO, to be 
killed in Iraq and had only been there a few days.
  Colonel Kruger was deputy commander of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team 
out of Fort Carson, which has recently been deployed to Iraq. 
Previously, Colonel Kruger had served a year in Afghanistan and less 
than 10 months after returning to the States and connecting with 2BCT 
was redeployed as part of an advance team to prepare for 2BCT's 
deployment to the area.
  Colonel Kruger was a graduate of North Garland High in Texas and 
earned a bachelor's degree in political science and master's degree in 
liberal arts from Southern Methodist University in his home State 
before joining the U.S. Army in 1989. Colonel Kruger completed airborne 
and Ranger training.
  As a soldier, Eric Kruger was of notable and rare distinction: during 
his service he had earned the Bronze Star, numerous Meritorious Service 
Awards and an Army Commendation medal. He was a man of deep patriotism 
and conviction in his job. He believed in making the world a better 
place and acted to help make that vision a reality.
  But it is the testimony of those with whom he served that helps 
illuminate the extraordinary character of Colonel Kruger. One fellow 
soldier from Fort Carson remembered him as ``a wonderful man and a 
great leader. Everyone who knew him loved him.'' A staff sergeant who 
served under him said that Colonel Kruger was ``one of the few 
leaders'' who helped her realize her life's path was with the U.S. 
Army: ``Sir, your excitement, passion, and outstanding leadership moved 
me in my military career,'' she wrote. Another staff sergeant spoke of 
Kruger's respect for his fellow man, remembering that when he first met 
Colonel Kruger, ``Even though he vastly outranked me, he always treated 
me and all others with a vast respect and kindness.''
  A fellow officer who served with Colonel Kruger in Afghanistan 
recalled his commitment to his family. ``Eric was a good man, a fine 
soldier and a loving father. We often spoke of our families, and I 
remember being struck by his dedication to his family and his concern 
for their wellbeing.'' There is no doubt: Colonel Kruger cared deeply 
about his fellow man and dedicated his life to serving others.
  To Colonel Kruger's wife Sara and their four children, Caitlin, 
Joshua, Christian, and Elise: You and Eric are in our prayers, today 
and always. May you find peace and solace in this time of grief, 
knowing that Eric's service to this Nation will not be forgotten. The 
many lives he positively shaped as an officer and American are tributes 
to his leadership and to your support of his efforts. For this, our 
entire Nation is grateful.
  Colonel Eric Kruger was an unquestionable hero, a leader whom each of 
us can admire and who can inspire every Member of this body to redouble 
our efforts on behalf of him and every one of our Nation's veterans and 
men and women serving in uniform.


                         California Casualties

  Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, today I rise to pay tribute to 47 young 
Americans who have been killed in Iraq since July 18. This brings to 
639 the number of soldiers who were either from California or based in 
California who have been killed while serving our country in Iraq. This 
represents 22 percent of all U.S. deaths in Iraq.
  LCpl Geofrey R. Cayer, 20, died July 18 from a nonhostile incident in 
Al Anbar province, Iraq. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine 
Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp 
Pendleton, CA.
  SPC Joseph A. Graves, 21, died on July 25 in Baghdad, Iraq, from 
injuries sustained when his military vehicle encountered a vehicle-
borne improvised explosive device and small arms fire. He was assigned 
to the 110th Military Police Company, 720th Military Police Battalion, 
III Corps, Fort Hood, TX. He was from Discovery Bay, CA.
  LCpl James W. Higgins, 22, died July 27 from wounds received while 
conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq. He was 
assigned to 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I 
Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, CA.
  Cpl Phillip E. Baucus, 28, died July 29 while conducting combat 
operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq. He was assigned to 3rd Light 
Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine 
Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, CA.
  Sgt Christian B. Williams, 27, died July 29 while conducting combat 
operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq. He was assigned to 3rd Light 
Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine 
Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, CA.

[[Page 22189]]

  LCpl Anthony E. Butterfield, 19, died July 29 while conducting combat 
operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq. He was assigned to 3rd Light 
Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine 
Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, CA. He was from Clovis, CA.
  PFC Jason Hanson, 21, died July 29 while conducting combat operations 
in Al Anbar province, Iraq. He was assigned to 3rd Light Armored 
Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary 
Force, Twentynine Palms, CA.
  LCpl Kurt E. Dechen, 24, died August 3 from wounds received while 
conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq. He was 
assigned to 1st Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, 
while attached to Regimental Combat Team 5, I Marine Expeditionary 
Force, Camp Pendleton, CA.
  Petty Officer 2nd Class Marc A. Lee, 28, was killed on August 2 
during combat operations while on patrol in Ramadi, Iraq. Lee was an 
aviation ordnanceman and a member of a SEAL team based in the San Diego 
area.
  LCpl Jeremy Z. Long, 18, died August 10 while conducting combat 
operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq. He was assigned to 1st 
Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine 
Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, CA.
  SGT Jeffrey S. Brown, 25, died on August 10 in Rutbah, Iraq, of 
injuries sustained on August 8, when his helicopter crashed. He was 
assigned to the 82nd Medical Company, Fort Riley, KS. He was from 
Trinity Center, CA.
  Hospitalman Chadwick T. Kenyon, 20, died on August 20 from wounds 
sustained when his Light Armored Vehicle struck an improvised explosive 
device while on combat patrol in Rawah, Iraq. He was assigned to the 
3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, 1st 
Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, CA.
  LCpl Randy L. Newman, 21, died August 20 while conducting combat 
operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq. He was assigned to 3rd Light 
Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine 
Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, CA.
  Cpl Adam A. Galvez, 21, died August 20 while conducting combat 
operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq. He was assigned to 3rd Light 
Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine 
Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, CA.
  Chief Petty Officer Paul J. Darga, 34, died August 22 when his 
Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team was struck by an improvised explosive 
device while responding to a previous strike in the Al Anbar province, 
Iraq. Darga was assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 
Two, serving with the 1st Marine Logistics Group, Camp Pendleton, CA.
  SGT David J. Almazan, 27, died on August 27 in Hit, Iraq, of injuries 
suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle 
during combat operations. Almazan was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 
36th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, 
Friedberg, Germany. He was from Van Nuys, CA.
  LCpl Shane P. Harris, 23, died on September 3 while conducting combat 
operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq. He was assigned to 3rd Light 
Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine 
Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, CA.
  Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Christopher G. Walsh, 30, died on 
September 4 from wounds sustained when his vehicle struck an improvised 
explosive device while on combat patrol in Al Anbar, Iraq. His Navy 
Reserve Unit was attached to the I Marine Division in Camp Pendleton, 
CA.
  PFC Hannah L. Gunterman, 20, died on September 4 in Taji, Iraq, of 
injuries sustained when she was struck by a vehicle. She was assigned 
to the 542nd Maintenance Company, 44th Corps Support Battalion, 593rd 
Corps Support Group, Fort Lewis, WA. She was from Redlands, CA.
  SGT Luis A. Montes, 22, died on September 7 in Brooke Army Medical 
Center, San Antonio, TX, of injuries suffered on September 1 in Abu 
Ghraib, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his 
vehicle during combat operations. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 
22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, 
Fort Hood, TX. He was from El Centro, CA.
  Cpl Johnathan L. Benson, 21, died September 9 from wounds suffered on 
June 17 while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq. 
He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine 
Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, CA.
  SPC Harley D. Andrews, 22, died on September 11 in Ar Ramadi, Iraq, 
of injuries suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near 
his vehicle during combat operations. He was assigned to the 54th 
Engineer Battalion, 130th Engineer Brigade, Warner Barracks, Bamberg, 
Germany. He was from Weimar, CA.
  CPL Cesar A. Granados, 21, died on September 15 of injuries sustained 
in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near 
his vehicle during combat operations. He was assigned to the 2nd 
Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, 
Fort Hood, TX. He was from Le Grand, CA.
  Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael A. Monsoor, 25, died September 29 
while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Ramadi, 
Iraq. He was a SEAL assigned to a San Diego-based command. He was from 
Garden Grove, CA.
  SGT Joseph W. Perry, 23, died on October 2, in Muhallah, Iraq, when 
his mounted patrol came in contact with enemy forces using small arms 
fire during combat operations. He was assigned to the 21st Military 
Police Company, 16th Military Police Brigade, XVIIIth Airborne Corps, 
Fort Bragg, NC. He was from Alpine, CA.
  SSG Daniel Isshak, 25, died on October 3 in Tikrit, Iraq, from 
injuries suffered when his vehicle received enemy small arms fire at 
Hawija, Iraq, during combat operations. He was assigned to the 2nd 
Battalion, 27th Infantry, 3rd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, 
Schofield Barracks, HI. He was from Alta Loma, CA.
  CPL Luis E. Tejeda, 20, died on September 30 in Hit, Iraq, of 
injuries sustained when his military vehicle encountered an improvised 
explosive device. He was assigned to A Company, 1st Battalion, 36th 
Infantry Regiment, 1st Armored Division, Friedberg, Germany. He was 
from Huntington Park, CA.
  PFC Kenny F. Stanton, Jr., 20, died on October 13 in Baghdad, Iraq, 
when his military vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device. 
He was assigned to the 57th Military Police Company, 728th Military 
Police Battalion, Yong San, Korea. He was from Hemet, CA.
  Sgt Jonathan J. Simpson, 25, died October 14 while conducting combat 
operations against enemy forces in Al Anbar province, Iraq. He was 
assigned to 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, Camp 
Pendleton, CA.
  PFC Keith J. Moore, 28, died October 14 in Baghdad, Iraq, of a 
noncombat-related injury. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 14th 
Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, 
Fort Drum, NY. He was from San Francisco, CA.
  CPT Mark C. Paine, 32, died October 15 in Taji, Iraq, from injuries 
suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his 
vehicle. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, 1st 
Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, TX. He was from Rancho 
Cucamonga, CA.
  SGT Lester D. Baroncini, Jr., 33, died on October 15 in Samarra, 
Iraq, when his military vehicle encountered multiple landmines. He was 
assigned to A Company, 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry 
Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, NC. He was from 
Bakersfield, CA.
  SPC Jose R. Perez, 21, died October 18 in Ar Ramadi, Iraq, from 
injuries suffered from enemy small arms fire. He was assigned to the 
1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st 
Armored Division, Baumholder, Germany. He was from Ontario, CA.
  SGT Norman R. Taylor III, 21, died on October 17 in Baqubah, Iraq, 
when his military vehicle encountered an

[[Page 22190]]

improvised explosive device. He was assigned to Headquarters and 
Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 4th Infantry 
Division, Fort Carson, CO. He was from Blythe, CA.
  SPC Matthew W. Creed, 23, died on October 22 in Baghdad, Iraq, of 
injuries sustained from small arms fire. He was assigned to 
Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry 
Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, TX. He was from Covina, CA.
  Hospital Corpsman Charles O. Sare, 23, died October 23 from enemy 
action while conducting combat operations in the Al Anbar Province, 
Iraq. He was assigned to Naval Ambulatory Care Center, Port Hueneme, 
CA. He was from Hemet, CA.
  PFC Jason Franco, 18, died October 31 from a nonhostile incident in 
Al Anbar province, Iraq. He was assigned to Marine Aviation Logistics 
Squadron 11, Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, 
Miramar, CA. He was from Corona, CA.
  PVT Michael P. Bridges, 23, died November 2 in Taji, Iraq, from a 
noncombat-related incident. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 66th 
Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, TX. He 
was from Placentia, CA.
  SSG Joseph A. Gage, 28, died November 2 in Baghdad, Iraq, of injuries 
suffered when an IED detonated near his vehicle. He was assigned to the 
1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st 
Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, KY. He was from Modesto, CA.
  Cpl Jose A. Galvan, 22, died November 5 while conducting combat 
operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq. He was assigned to the 1st 
Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary 
Force, Camp Pendleton, CA.
  Cpl Kyle W. Powell, 21, died November 4, from wounds suffered while 
conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq. He was 
assigned to the 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I 
Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, CA.
  SSG Richwell A. Doria, 25, died on November 7 in Kirkuk, Iraq, after 
being struck by small arms fire during an air assault mission. He was 
assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 
25th Infantry Regiment, Schofield Barracks, HI. He was from San Diego, 
CA.
  SFC Rudy A. Salcido, 31, died on November 9 in Baghdad, Iraq, after 
an improvised explosive device detonated near his convoy vehicle. 
Salcido was assigned to the Army National Guard's 1114th Transportation 
Company, Bakersfield, CA. He was from Ontario, CA.
  SGT Angel De Lucio Ramirez, 22, died on November 11 in Ar Ramadi, 
Iraq, when his military vehicle encountered an improvised explosive 
device. He was assigned to the 16th Engineer Battalion, 1st Brigade, 
1st Armored Division, Giessen, Germany. He was from Pacoima, CA.
  LCpl Timothy W. Brown, 21, died November 14 while conducting combat 
operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq. He was assigned to the 2nd 
Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine 
Expeditionary Force, Kaneohe Bay, HI. He was from Sacramento, CA.
  PFC Jang H. Kim, 20, died on November 13 when his military vehicle 
encountered an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to 
Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry 
Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, Schweinfurt, Germany. He was from 
Placentia, CA.
  LCpl Mario D. Gonzalez, 21, died November 14 while conducting combat 
operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq. He was assigned to 2nd 
Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine 
Expeditionary Force, Kaneohe Bay, HI. He was from La Puente, CA.
  I would also like to pay tribute to the four soldiers from or based 
in California who have died while serving our country in Operation 
Enduring Freedom since July 18.
  SPC Andrew Velez, 22, died on July 25 in Sharona, Afghanistan, of a 
noncombat-related injury. He was assigned to the 699th Maintenance 
Company, Corps Support Battalion, Theater Support Command, Fort Irwin, 
CA.
  SFC Merideth L. Howard, 52, died in Kabul, Afghanistan, on September 
8, when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated near her 
vehicle. She was assigned to the Army Reserve's 405th Civil Affairs 
Battalion, Fort Bragg, NC. She was from Alameda, CA.
  SPC Fernando D. Robinson, 21, died on October 2 in Korengal, 
Afghanistan, from injuries sustained when his patrol came under attack 
by enemy forces using small arms fire and rocket propelled grenades. He 
was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade 
Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Light Infantry, Fort Drum, NY. He 
was from Hawthorne, CA.
  PFC Alex Oceguera, 19, died on October 31 in Wygal Valley, 
Afghanistan, of injuries suffered when an IED detonated near his 
vehicle. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, NY. He was 
from San Bernardino, CA.

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