[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 17]
[Senate]
[Pages 22714-22720]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES


                       Corporal Michael Cifuentes

  Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, I come to the Floor today to honor a brave 
Ohioan, Marine LCpl Michael Cifuentes, from Fairfield, who was killed 
in the line-of-duty when his vehicle was hit by an improvised explosive 
device in Iraq on August 3, 2005. Michael is survived by his parents, 
Gregory and Carolyn, his brother Daniel, and his fiance Tara Reynolds.
  Friends, family, and fellow marines remember Michael, first and 
foremost, for his kind and generous spirit. A 1998 graduate of St. 
Xavier High School in Cincinnati and then a 2002 graduate of my alma 
marter, Miami University, Michael chose to postpone his upcoming 
graduate studies in math education in order to serve in the U.S. Marine 
Corps.
  Michael was known as having a soft spot in his heart for children, 
and eventually, he wanted to become a math teacher. To make the most of 
his time before graduate school, Michael was a substitute teacher at 
Talawanda Middle School in Oxford, OH. Principal Sharon Lytle remembers 
that he was an excellent teacher, who was well liked by his students 
and who exhibited a special willingness to help those requiring special 
instruction. She said the following about Michael:

       He was always willing to take the toughest cases. He was a 
     real team player [and] unfailingly polite and respectful. A 
     lot of college kids come in here just more relaxed. He was 
     just more mature.

  Mark Hinkle, Michael's uncle, said that Michael was a great teacher--
a teacher who also always wanted to be a Marine. Michael taught Mark's 
10-year-old daughter at Talawanda Middle School. His uncle said that 
Michael ``just loved the kids.''
  Michael held a graduate assistantship through iDiscovery, an online 
program for teachers, until he was called for duty in the Marine Corps 
Reserve. Sara Hayes, coordinator of this teaching program, said that 
``Michael was a bright, funny, caring personality, and he would have 
made an excellent math teacher.'' Hayes' sentiments are frequently 
echoed by friends and family alike.
  Michael was always a wonderful friend, and he made an impact upon 
everyone whom he met. St. Xavier marching band member Kyle Metzroth 
recalls a particularly humorous moment with Michael:

       I only knew Mike for a year. I was a freshman in the 
     marching band the year he was a senior. I can remember him 
     for always having a smile, and I remember a lot of laughs. 
     But, the one solid, concrete memory I have of Mike was a trip 
     up to Cleveland for the St. Ignatius football game that fall. 
     Mike was a sousaphone player in the band, and if I remember 
     correctly, he had forgotten it on this trip, or it was 
     broken, or something of that nature. The important fact was 
     that he was unable to march with it.
       The band director was going to allow him to march anyway 
     without an instrument. But I guess to some true bandsmen, 
     marching without an instrument, just doesn't cut it. There 
     was one extra instrument lying around among the band. The 
     difficulty with this instrument was the fact that it had 
     strings--[it was] a banjo. One of the other bandsmen must 
     have brought it with him as something to do on the bus ride. 
     Little did we know that we were about to witness St. Xavier 
     High School's very first marching banjo! To this day, people 
     I know in the band still talk about it.

  At Miami University, Michael continued to play in the marching band--

[[Page 22715]]

tuba, actually--and was actively involved in the Acacia fraternity, was 
the head manager for the women's basketball team, and was a member of 
Miami's Naval ROTC.
  Miami University Marching Band Director David Shaffer said this about 
Michael:

       [He] always gave 100 percent. He loved Miami football and 
     was the team's loudest voice from the stands. With great 
     enthusiasm, he was always the first in line for the tuba 
     snake and the one to ring the President's doorbell during the 
     Band Day parade. I know Mike was a very proud Marine and a 
     true American. We can only be thankful that Mike was with us 
     for 25 years. He was our friend, our brother, and our 
     defender.

  It was at Miami University that Michael met his fiance Tara Reynolds. 
Michael's friends say that one of the happiest moments of Michael's 
life was when Tara agreed to be his wife.
  Friend Janice Hughes said that ``Michael was always looking for the 
right girl. When he met her, they clicked, (and) he was really excited 
to talk about her.''
  Michael planned for the perfect proposal. In fact, he puts most 
people to shame when it comes to creative proposals. After going over 
the details for weeks with his fraternity brothers as a way to quell 
his nervousness, Michael sat with Tara on an outdoor wooden bench with 
a packet of recent photos. Mixed into the pile was a snapshot of him 
holding a sign reading: ``Will You Marry Me?'' She, of course, said 
``yes.''
  A few months after their engagement, Michael's Marine reserve unit 
was activated and left Oxford for Iraq.
  Tom Fennell, president of the Acacia fraternity, said this about 
Michael:

       Spending time with Mike in formal and social situations 
     immediately led us to understand his love for his friends, 
     family, fiance, and country. . . . The best word to describe 
     Michael was `committed.' He was committed to his fiance, and 
     he was committed to the Marines.

  Pride is another recurring word used to describe Michael. Chris 
Rhoton, assistant principal at Talawanda Middle School, said that pride 
``was how he felt about being called up. Michael was patriotic, mature, 
and respectful. He was a great role model. Students and anyone who met 
him just respected him immediately. He enhanced the lives of several 
kids here.''
  The Reverend John Ferone perhaps summed it up best when he said, 
``Michael was a lover, a reconciler . . . a person who was able to give 
everything away so that this world would be a better place.''
  Michael's parents included a tribute to their son as part of the 
program distributed to attendees of his memorial service. This is what 
they wrote:

       We will celebrate Michael's life for the good that he 
     brought to this world. With his buddies and fellow Marines, 
     he was trying to bring a better life to a people who have 
     suffered for too long.

  My wife Fran and I continue to keep Michael's family and friends in 
our thoughts and prayers.


                        SPECIALIST ROBERT SWANEY

  Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to a fellow Ohioan and a 
brave soldier--Army SPC Robert Swaney, of West Jefferson, OH, who died 
on July 30, 2005, from injuries sustained when his military vehicle 
struck an improvised explosive device in Iraq. He was 21 years old.
  Robert was an enthusiastic and passionate young man--someone who 
approached his life with a whole-hearted determination and zeal. In the 
words of his Uncle Joe, ``Robert lived and died giving it his all.''
  Robert graduated from Marion-Franklin High School in 2003, where he 
was known for his love of football. Despite being one of the smaller 
players on the team, he fought with a true grit to prove himself on the 
field. His passion, was an inspiration to his coach and his teammates. 
``He was our `Rudy','' said Marion-Franklin head football coach, Gary 
Tucker, referring to the 1993 film about a football player, small in 
stature, who struggled against the odds to play college ball. As Coach 
Tucker put it, ``Michael always gave 150 percent.''
  A former teammate, then quarterback Tony McMichael, said that Robert 
``lived and breathed football. . . . He knew how to pump people up.''
  After graduation, Robert would return to Marion-Franklin to cheer on 
the younger players. ``He was so involved, so spirited, so upbeat,'' 
Coach Tucker said. ``He felt like he could conquer anything.''
  Robert's enthusiasm and willingness to get involved stretched beyond 
the football field. He was a summer school teacher's aide at Marion-
Franklin and an aide for the Sunday school at Sts. Simon and Jude 
Catholic Church of West Jefferson. He was an avid outdoorsman, and he 
was also very active in West Jefferson Youth Athletic Association.
  Shortly after graduating from Marion-Franklin High, Robert moved in 
with his Aunt Angie and Uncle Joe, and his cousins Jordan, Riley, 
Landon, and Ryan. ``He was a good kid,'' Angie said. ``We thought of 
him as a son. He was just like one of the kids. He was such a beautiful 
soul and spirit.''
  Robert loved playing baseball, basketball, and football with his 
younger cousins, as well as watching The Ohio State University Buckeyes 
football games. His Uncle Joe fondly remembers the eagerness with which 
Robert would help out at youth football games. ``He would run chains, 
do the scoreboard, carry water, anything to help out the Peewee team,'' 
Joe said. ``He was so enthusiastic, you would have thought he was 
coaching pro ball!''
  Mr. President, Robert also loved animals and had a wicked sweet 
tooth. ``He was a junk-food junkie,'' his Aunt Angie said. ``He'd eat 
15 candy bars and three bags of chips in one sitting and never offer a 
bite.''
  Robert lived with his aunt and uncle until he enlisted in the Army. 
He was inspired by the example of his older brother Thomas McClellan, 
who had joined the Air Force. Although family members tried to persuade 
Robert into either the Air Force or the Navy, Robert was adamant in his 
decision to enlist in the Army. Robert's lifelong ambition, which he 
had dreamed about since high school, was to become a nurse, and the 
Army was where he could get the skills he needed to achieve that goal.
  Robert was a good soldier. According to SGT Christopher Mills, Robert 
had a ``determination to become a better soldier'' and ``never failed 
to get the job done.'' Robert's brother Thomas said that ``he knew what 
he was getting into, but that's Rob. He had a big heart. He always 
wanted to help other people.''
  Robert was assigned to the 3rd U.S. Armored Cavalry Regiment, Thunder 
Squadron, based at Fort Carson, CO. That October, he married the woman 
he loved--Alexandria--while on leave. Alexandria said that Robert 
``would always be the first to let you know that he was the strongest 
in our family, and he would do anything to take care of us.'' She also 
remembers Robert's cheerful, outgoing nature. ``He was always trying to 
find the good in people,'' she recalled. ``He would always love to 
talk. He would always love to put a smile on [my] face.''
  While in Iraq, Robert frequently wrote to his family. His last letter 
home was sent to his 8-year-old cousin Riley. He wrote to Riley that 
keeping her safe was all the encouragement he needed. He wrote: ``I 
can't promise that I will make it home . . . but I promise I will 
return a hero.''
  Robert Swaney did, indeed, become a hero. He was a young man who 
always put the well-being of others before his own. In recognition of 
his outstanding service, the Army posthumously promoted him to 
specialist.
  I would like to conclude by quoting from a letter that Robert wrote 
to his mother. This is what he wrote:

       I want you to know that I'm doing well and doing what I 
     enjoy the most--serving the people of the United States of 
     America.

  My wife Fran and I continue to keep Robert's family and friends in 
our thoughts and in our prayers.


                   LANCE CORPORAL TAYLOR B. PRAZYNSKI

  Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to a fallen marine--LCpl 
Taylor B. Prazynski from Fairfield, OH. Lance Corporal Prazynski was 
killed on May 9, 2005, by an indirect fire explosion while in combat in 
Iraq. He was only 20 years old.
  As a young boy growing up in Fairfield, Taylor dreamed of being a 
soldier. He was born on Veterans Day at

[[Page 22716]]

an Air Force base where his father John was serving in the military. 
John remembers that Taylor loved to try on his dad's uniform as a boy 
and was simply destined to join the military.
  As a child, his favorite hangout was an Army surplus store. Today, a 
photo of 6-year-old Taylor in a military camouflage jumpsuit and beret 
still hangs there.
  Taylor joined the Marines shortly after graduating from Fairfield 
High School in 2003. For him, there was simply no question of what it 
was he wanted to do. As his father recalls, ``Taylor always said he was 
where he was supposed to be and doing what he was supposed to be 
doing.''
  Taylor was a compassionate young man who loved kids. While a senior 
in high school, he volunteered to serve as an aide for a classroom of 
multihandicapped students. Some of the students he worked with 
contacted Taylor's family when they heard news of his death.
  Gary Staggs, an aide for the school's multihandicapped class, 
described Taylor as a budding teacher who inspired students. He 
remembers Fairfield graduate Josh Dixon, who was among the first to 
line up to pay respects to Taylor at his funeral, which was held at the 
Fairfield High School gym. Josh used a walker to enter the gym, and 
Gary said it was Taylor's hard work in 2003 that helped Josh abandon 
his wheelchair. According to Gary:

       Taylor took it upon himself to set up Josh Dixon's braces 
     and lay down mats for his practice walks every school day. He 
     basically carried him. Then one day, Josh walks into the 
     classroom with Taylor by his side and both of them [were] 
     beaming with pride. . . . One person can make such a 
     difference in someone's life, and Taylor did that--and more.

  Taylor was simply the kind of young man who cared so much for others. 
As Gary Staggs put it:

       He was big enough to bend over and help somebody else. He 
     was doing what he wanted to be doing. He helped kids, but he 
     also wanted to help society. He wanted to make a difference 
     in Iraq.

  Friends describe Taylor as a hard-working man who loved art, played 
football, and participated in track and field. He was well liked and 
deeply respected by all who knew him.
  Scott Datillo, the head football coach at Fairfield High School, 
remembers Taylor's spirit of cooperation:

       When you are a coach and want to develop a team, you want 
     kids like him. He bought into the team concept. He worked 
     hard and made the most of his abilities.

  Taylor's tribute pages on the Internet continue to be filled in daily 
by those who knew and loved him. He is so deeply missed. One friend, 
Elizabeth Williams, wrote the following message to her dear friend 
Taylor:

       Taylor, words will never be able to express the void that I 
     have felt in my life and heart since you've been gone. . . . 
     I have always loved you with all of my heart, and I just hope 
     you knew that when you were here with us. There is not a 
     single day that goes by that I don't think about you and miss 
     you like crazy. Sometimes, I cannot help but think about 
     things that could have been; but, even on those days, all I 
     can think about are all the happy memories and the moments of 
     our lives together.

  Fellow Marine Cpl Brent T. Willoughby, stationed in Afghanistan, says 
this of Taylor:

       I had the honor of meeting Taylor . . . in Louisville on 
     our way to Parris Island in November 2003. We were in the 
     same platoon and graduated on January 30, 2004. During our 
     time at Parris Island, I saw the love of life that Ski 
     (that's what we called him) possessed. As the lay reader for 
     a platoon, Ski asked me to pray with him on several 
     occasions, and he always let me know within a few days that 
     his prayers had been answered. His dedication and devotion to 
     this country and to his fellow marines will never be 
     forgotten. Rest assured that God has called him home and that 
     when we meet him again, he will be standing guard somewhere 
     in heaven smiling that timeless smile. Godspeed and Semper 
     Fi.

  Taylor Prazynski was loved and admired by all those who knew him. He 
will always be remembered. He had a bright future before him. His 
father said that in the last months of his son's young life, Taylor had 
spoken in phone calls from Iraq about wanting to become a special 
education teacher.
  More than 1,500 people came to Fairfield High School's gym to pay 
final respects to Taylor. It was fitting that the stirring tribute to 
the fallen hero took place at his high school, where the line of well-
wishers waiting to file past Taylor's coffin stretched over 100 yards.
  His father said:

       Taylor loved the idea of ``once a marine always a marine.'' 
     Every time I spoke to him, I told him I loved him and that he 
     was my hero. We sent a boy to boot camp, and he came home a 
     man.

  A compassionate young man, Taylor had a great big heart and a 
tremendous sense of dedication to his family, community, and his 
country.
  My wife Fran and I continue to keep the family of Taylor Prazynski--
his father and stepmother, John and Carol, and his mother Claudia--in 
our thoughts and our prayers.


                        Corporal Joshua D. Jones

  Mr. President, this evening, I wish to pay tribute to Army CPL Joshua 
Jones, a soldier from Pomeroy, OH. On August 27, 2006, Joshua died in 
Iraq when his humvee came under attack from enemy small arms fire. The 
24-year-old soldier was a member of the 3rd Battalion, 67th Armor 
Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division based out of 
Fort Hood, TX. Joshua leaves his wife Tiffany, his daughter Cami, and 
their unborn child which Tiffany is expecting this coming March. He is 
also survived by his mom Sandy, stepfather Arlyn, his father Gary, 
stepmother Cindy, brothers Caleb, Peter, and Jacob, and sister 
Alexandria.
  Joshua completed his basic training at Fort Knox in May 2004 and went 
to Iraq in December 2005. Joshua knew his mission in Iraq. He knew it 
well. He knew that he was fighting so that those he loved--his friends, 
family, and so many other Americans--would never have to. Friends tell 
us he joined the Army to protect them.
  The role of protector was not a new one for Joshua. He was born on 
January 2, 1982, and was one of six children. Growing up, Joshua always 
looked out for his younger siblings. His love of family was evident in 
all his actions.
  His dad beams with pride when talking about his son. Joshua's dad 
recalls the passion and bravery Joshua showed when he talked with him 
nearly 3 years ago about his decision to join the Army. According to 
Gary:

       Whenever [Joshua] talked about joining the Army, he always 
     said he was going to go fight so that his siblings would 
     never have to.

  Joshua is lovingly remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing 
this brave young man. Those who knew him best recall his energy, his 
optimism, his warmth. They remember him doing the things he loved--
singing, traveling, racing remote-controlled cars, and riding all-
terrain vehicles in the hills and trails of southeastern Ohio. Family 
friend David Kelly remembers Joshua as a young man who knew what he 
wanted and that was simply to love and care for the people around him.
  And there is no one whom Joshua loved more than his wife Tiffany. 
This past September 12, they would have celebrated their 3-year wedding 
anniversary. Tiffany is making sure that Joshua's character and heroism 
are not forgotten. She made a book of pictures of their family and 
Joshua's time in Iraq. Before his death, she also kept a Web site with 
pictures and updates on his activities in Iraq. To be sure, Tiffany's 
efforts will preserve Joshua's legacy for their children.
  Joshua's family saw him for the last time in June, while he was home 
on a 2-week leave after being in Iraq for half of a year. They made the 
most of every moment they had together before he had to return. Josh 
loved his family so much.
  Joshua was the very best kind of person--a man who put family and 
Nation above all else. He was a great son, husband, and father. He 
liked nothing more than to hold his wife and his daughter. Shortly 
after his return to Iraq, Joshua received the wonderful news that 
Tiffany was pregnant with their second child.
  He called her every day from Iraq and often sent instant messages to 
his parents. For Joshua, nothing was more important than staying in 
touch with the people he loved.
  Joshua's death is a loss to all of Meigs County. At his funeral, he 
was

[[Page 22717]]

remembered not just for his heroism but for the quality and integrity 
of his life. As a soldier, he approached every task with determination 
and purpose. Army BG Bruce Berwick lauded Joshua for his service when 
he said the following:

       No one will ever say Corporal Jones did nothing. He 
     confronted evil. He drove it back. He made a difference. He 
     died doing nothing less than saving this world.

  One of Joshua's friends, Tammi Adamson, left the following message 
for him on an Internet tribute Web site. She reflected on his devotion 
to his country, his kindness, and the deep love he held for his family. 
This is what Tammi wrote:

       Thank you, Josh, for your most honorable and unselfish 
     service. I will never forget you, nor will I ever stop loving 
     you. You were like my brother, and I will miss you each and 
     every day. You are my hero and a hero to my children. Words 
     cannot express the sadness and the sorrow I feel for [your] 
     family. Anyone who knew [you would know that you were] a 
     wonderful person and husband who adored [your] wife and 
     [your] . . . daughter. May God keep you in His hand, and may 
     you rest now. Your mission is finished.

  That was so beautifully said by his friend.
  My wife Fran and I will continue to keep the friends and family of 
CPL Joshua D. Jones in our thoughts and in our prayers.


                      Specialist David H. Ford IV

  Mr. President, this evening I pay honor and tribute to Army SPC David 
H. Ford, IV, from Ironton, OH. Specialist Ford was a member of the 4th 
Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry, 
stationed at Fort Stewart, GA. On September 26, 2005, he was killed 
when an improvised explosive device detonated near his military vehicle 
while he was on patrol in Baghdad. He had turned 20 years old just 6 
days before his death.
  On September 10, 1985, David was born to Violet Adams Ford and David 
Ford, III, in Norfolk, VA. David's family then moved to Ironton, OH. In 
2003, David graduated from Ironton High School, where he was a big fan 
of the football team.
  David also liked to bowl. ``He was an excellent person,'' his Aunt 
Minnie said. ``[H]e would give the last thing he could to anybody.''
  David was a proud soldier. When he joined the Army, he was continuing 
his family's tradition of military service. His father served in the 
Navy for 20 years, and his brother Ray also serves in the Army. As 
David's friend, Shannon Bare, said:

       He always wanted to follow in his dad's footsteps.

  His friends will remember him as a fun-loving young man who enjoyed 
life. The Rev. Robert Pierce, David's pastor of 14 years, agrees that 
David always had a smile for everyone. He said:

       I'll always remember him as that grinning little boy.

  Life wasn't always easy for David, however. His father passed away 
while he was in junior high, and his house burned down before he 
graduated from high school. But David always kept a brave smile on his 
face. He simply dealt with hardship with unusual grace. His friend and 
Ironton classmate, Rebecca Dingus, considers him a true example of 
courage. This is what she said:

       He was wonderful, such a strong person. He had been through 
     so much. He lost his father at a young age. His house burned 
     down our senior year, but he kept going. He had such a big 
     heart.

  Indeed, this is the strength and spirit that helped David and his 
family through their difficulties. David's friend Shannon remembers how 
David always stayed positive:

       He never had a sad look on his face. He always kept a smile 
     on his face. He made friends with everybody. He called me a 
     couple months ago to ask how everyone was doing back here.

  David cared about people and they cared about him. He was deeply 
loved by his family--his mother Violet, his fiancee Susie White, his 
brother Ray, and his sister Kimberly. His mother said that David was a 
responsible young man who loved life and was easy to love. He was her 
``pride and joy.'' But she knows that he ``died doing what he wanted.'' 
That is what his mom said.
  David joined the Army in 2003 after graduating from high school. He 
planned to study forensic science after his military service was 
completed. His cousin, J.P. Harris, said that David was interested in 
forensic science and that ``[h]e wanted to get into CSI-type of 
investigations.'' J.P. also said:

       It makes you proud he was a member of your family. He was 
     the type of person who did what he was supposed to do.

  Repeatedly, that is what friends and families said about David--that 
he was such a good person, that he cared for his family, that he did 
what was right and that made his family very proud. ``He was proud of 
being a soldier,'' his mother remembers. ``He believed in standing up 
for what he believed in.''
  One of David's former teachers, Sue Blagg, remembers that David ``was 
a quiet student. He always had his work in on time, and he was never 
any trouble.'' David's work ethic, his kindness, and his optimism were 
also apparent to those he served with in the Army. One of his comrades, 
SGT Heath A. Hutchison, left the following message in David's memory on 
an Internet tribute Web site. This is what he wrote:

       There would never be enough to say about David. I knew him 
     well. He was always the guy to make me laugh, and now he 
     makes me cry. I will always remember him and all of the crazy 
     things that we did together. I will miss him, and I thank God 
     that I knew him.

  At David's funeral, BG John C. Bartley read the following statement 
from David's commanding officer in Iraq noting David's unforgettable 
smile:

       When I saw him, I thought to myself: My goodness, this 
     soldier looks so young. But as time went on, I saw him mature 
     from a boy into a man. Watching him grow amazed me. As first 
     gunner, I could see he was nervous, but before I knew it, he 
     was standing before me grinning from ear to ear.

  David will be remembered with pride by all who knew him. Internet 
tribute pages are full of comments from those individuals who remember 
his warmth, his bravery, and how he could make any day brighter simply 
by being himself. He was a great friend to many, and his death is a 
loss for all. As his grandfather Ray Adams said:

       I am proud of him. I am real proud. He was a fine boy. I 
     tell you, it is a great loss.

  Indeed, David Ford was a remarkable person--a beloved son, grandson, 
and brother. He was also a gracious human being. He was bright and he 
was kind. When confronted with challenges in life, he smiled. He didn't 
give up. He kept going. He persevered.
  David Ford will never be forgotten. We celebrate his life--a life 
devoted to serving his country and loving and respecting his family and 
friends.
  My wife Fran and I will continue to keep David's family in our 
thoughts and in our prayers.


                    First Sergeant Ricky L. McGinnis

  Mr. President, this evening I would like to honor the memory of Army 
1SG Ricky L. McGinnis, who was originally from Hamilton, OH. First 
Sergeant McGinnis was killed in Iraq when a roadside bomb detonated 
near his patrol on October 26, 2006. He is survived by his wife Kerstin 
and their four daughters: Julia, Laura, Melissa, and Nina. He is also 
survived by his sisters, Rhonda Isaacs and Julie Wilson and his brother 
Carl Wilkerson. Ricky was 42 years of age at the time of his death.
  Ricky McGinnis graduated from Hamilton High School in 1983 and joined 
the Army soon after at the age of 18. His niece Nichole recalls how 
important the military was to Ricky. She said:

       I remembered him always being in an Army uniform. Ever 
     since I was born, he was in the Army.

  Ricky gave 23 years of dedicated service to our country and to the 
Army, though he was planning to retire from the military when he 
returned from his deployment in Iraq. Ricky's sister Rhonda remembers 
how proud he was to serve our country and how patriotic he was. Ricky's 
commitment to the military took him around the world--from Germany to 
Korea to the Middle East.
  It was in Germany where he met the love of his life, his wife 
Kerstin. They were married over 20 years ago in Weisenbaden, Germany, 
in 1986. Ricky was a loving husband and a devoted,

[[Page 22718]]

proud father of their four girls. He certainly loved his family 
unconditionally.
  Relatives remember that Ricky's daughters meant everything to him. He 
loved coaching them in softball, basketball, and soccer. One family 
friend wrote the following to Ricky on an Internet tribute Web site:

       Coach Mac, we can't believe you are gone. God must have 
     needed a great coach and leader in Heaven to have taken you 
     so very soon.

  In his 23 years of service, Ricky embodied the best of everything the 
Army stands for: loyalty, courage, and selflessness. His passion and 
commitment to the Army was seen by all who were privileged to serve 
with him. Ricky inspired so many others to follow his example and join 
the Army, including his 19-year-old nephew, PFC Joey Isaacs.
  To Joey, his uncle was more than a mentor--he was a ``best friend'' 
and a ``second father.'' Joey's mother Rhonda--Ricky's sister--
remembers that Joey saw his uncle as a hero. Joey remembers how proud 
Ricky was when he decided to join the Army. This is what Joey says:

       All we ever talked about was going to Iraq. My uncle and I 
     were inseparable. When I told him I joined the Army, he 
     couldn't have been more proud. He said it was going to be a 
     long year, but we were going to get through it. Whenever I 
     needed him, he was always there.

  In Iraq, Ricky and Joey served in the same unit as part of the First 
Cavalry Division. Every day they would meet to eat lunch together. 
According to Rhonda, ``Ricky was going to make sure nothing ever 
happened to Joey.'' And that is exactly what Ricky did.
  While both Ricky and Joey were in Iraq, Joey's father was 
hospitalized after an accident. Without hesitation, Ricky started 
working to get his nephew home so that he could be with his family. 
Rhonda remembers the last words Ricky spoke to her. He said:

       Hey, Sis, I am doing everything to get Joey home. I love 
     you.

  That conversation took place on Tuesday. The following Thursday, just 
2 days later, Ricky was killed.
  Joey also recalls the last conversation he had with his uncle. Ricky 
had come to his barracks to make sure that his nephew was doing all 
right, and doing all right with his dad's accident. This is how Joey 
remembers that last final meeting:

       The last time I saw my uncle, he came to my barracks to 
     visit me because I was having a rough time with my dad and 
     his accident. He came in and told me he was there for me--I 
     could talk to him. He told me to be strong, to keep doing my 
     job, and he told me that he loved me.

  Ricky's final mission was simply taking care of his family. He 
succeeded. Joey was able to return home and his father recovered from 
his accident. As Joey said:

       God saved my dad and now my uncle is with God.

  Without question, Ricky did his job in protecting his family, but his 
compassion and strength were large enough to take care of others as 
well. He was loyal to and protective of everyone with whom he served. 
LTC Keith Gogas, Ricky's squadron commander, remembers the dedication 
with which he served. This is what he said:

       Ricky was doing exactly what he loved doing: leading his 
     soldiers. He loved being a first sergeant because he loved 
     his troops. He loved training them. He loved watching them 
     mature, and he loved turning them into cavalrymen.

  Indeed, Ricky was a leader in the truest sense of the word. With his 
words and his deeds he trained a new generation of leaders. And he 
truly believed in what he was doing. As his niece Nichole said:

       Ricky was very patriotic. He said he was going to go to 
     Iraq just to get the job done. He was totally about just 
     getting over there and doing his job and worrying about the 
     men he supervised.

  Ricky made it his job to look out for others. This is the type of man 
he was.
  The following words were once said by an American soldier:

       What we have done for ourselves, alone, dies with us. What 
     we have done for others and the world remains and is 
     immortal.

  These words could not be more fitting in describing the full life of 
1SG Ricky McGinnis. Ricky spent 23 years of his life working for 
others, working for our Nation. This lifetime of service will remain, 
and it will be immortalized in all those who Ricky trained, led, and 
inspired. A devoted husband, father, uncle, and son, he impacted them 
and changed their lives in countless ways. He is deeply missed by all 
those who knew him and all of those who loved him.
  My wife Fran and I continue to keep Ricky's family in our thoughts 
and in our prayers.


                       Army Sergeant David Gordon

  Mr. President, this evening I would like to honor the life of David 
Gordon from Williamsfield, OH. David was a member of the 3rd Battalion, 
16th Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Infantry Division based in Fort 
Hood, TX. On September 8, 2006, he was killed in Baghdad when an 
improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. David was 
serving his second tour of duty in Iraq, and he was scheduled to return 
home in just 2 months. He was 23 years of age at the time of his death.
  David Gordon leaves his wife Kimber, his stepchildren Miguel and 
Matthew, his father Rodney, his mother Judy, his stepfather Bob, and 
his three sisters Theresa, Tiffany, and Jean.
  David was born in Westfield, NY. His family moved to Pennsylvania and 
then to Ohio where he attended Pymatuming Valley School. David was 
known for always helping his loved ones. A childhood friend, Michael 
Reed, said David was the best friend anyone could ask for and that 
whenever anyone said something bad about Michael, David would stick up 
for him. Michael described David as tough, but that deep down he was 
just a big puppy dog.
  In 2000, David graduated from South Ridge Christian Academy where he 
spent his senior year. David joined the Army immediately after 
graduating high school. According to his aunt, Kathy Hicks, he wanted 
people to be proud of him and wanted to model himself after others who 
had gone into the military. David's grandfather Howard Gordon said that 
David was going to make the Army a career, and he really believed he 
was making a difference.
  A person with a great zest for life, David enjoyed so many different 
things. He liked hunting, fishing, football, and wrestling, and he was 
a fan of NASCAR. His sister Jean remembers that he was an outgoing 
person. She says:

       He liked to horse around. He liked to watch movies, play 
     video games, and to be on his computer.

  David's wife Kimber remembers the impact he had on those whom he 
knew, and this is what she said:

       David was an extraordinary man, husband, father to our 
     sons, and awesome son and brother. Anyone who had the 
     privilege of having him as a friend would say he touched 
     their life like no other. David is so deeply missed and will 
     always be loved and held in our hearts forever.

  David's aunt Kathy wants people to remember that he was a great kid, 
the kind of boy who always wanted to help out others. This is what she 
said:

       David was so polite, especially to me. He would hug me 
     whenever he saw me. Most kids that age would not do that, but 
     David was a fun-loving kid who played video games. He was a 
     good kid all the way around.

  His mom said:

       He was the kind of boy that would make your darkest days 
     shine bright. He was not only my son, but also my best 
     friend.

  A fitting tribute to David was given when his body was brought home 
to Andover, OH. Friends, neighbors, and strangers stood silently as his 
body was brought through Andover Square, led by Wayne and Andover fire, 
police, and emergency crews. Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts stood at 
attention and held candles to honor this brave fallen soldier. One of 
the Scouts said:

       I am here to honor him and to honor my country. It is so 
     sad, so sad that he is dead, but I can feel him in my heart.

  Mr. President, the Andover Council president, Myra Brown, said it was 
important for the communities to support each other as they grieved for 
their hero. Mark Wilbur, president of the Andover Fraternal Order of 
Eagles, said:

       David won't just be honored in Andover, he will be 
     remembered forever as our hero. He reminds us that freedom 
     isn't free.

  Friend Tim Haidon said the following about him:


[[Page 22719]]

       We met at the church a few years ago before we went back to 
     Iraq. He was a person of faith and we are fortunate to know 
     today he is in heaven.

  David Gordon was a good person, someone who was passionate about the 
security of others, who dedicated himself to protecting all of us.
  David Gordon was an exceptional young man. He was simply the type of 
person who never gave up. Today, we honor his life and we remember how 
he was a devoted son, a caring brother, a loving husband and father. It 
is through the good deeds that he did--the service to our Nation that 
he so selflessly gave--that his memory will never fade.
  I would like to conclude my remarks with the heartfelt words of the 
father of fallen Army soldier, SGT Gregory L. Wahl. He posted this 
message on a Web site honoring David. This is what he had to say:

       To the Gordon family from the Wahl family--you are not 
     alone. Every fallen family and our family are with you. Our 
     heart and prayers are with you and David. He has not died in 
     vain. He is an American hero, and so much more to all who 
     knew him. David has touched the hearts of many. Be supportive 
     towards one another in honoring your son, David.

  He continues on:

       Each of you and all of us who knew him will reflect on the 
     very fond and precious memorable times we shared together 
     with David. Shed a smile, laugh, and tears. David would not 
     want anyone sad or unhappy. David is with Gregory. They 
     didn't know one another, yet both are brothers. David, you 
     will never, ever, ever be forgotten as you are remembered 
     today and always.

  My wife Fran and I continue to keep SGT David Gordon's family and 
friends in our thoughts and in our prayers.


                      STAFF SERGEANT ELVIS BOURDON

  Mr. President, I rise this evening to pay tribute to a fallen 
soldier--Army SSG Elvis Bourdon, originally from Youngstown, OH. Staff 
Sergeant Bourdon was killed in Baghdad on September 6, 2004, when his 
military vehicle came under attack by enemy small-arms fire. He was 36 
years old, and was serving with the 1st Battalion, 9th Cavalry 
Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division based out of Fort Hood, TX. Left to 
cherish his memory are his wife Mary, and their two children Corey and 
Allyssa, his father Juan, his mother Dalila, his brothers Ray and Juan, 
Jr., and his sisters Elizabeth, Jenny, Thannia, and Barbara.
  Although Elvis and his family resided in Texas, he will always be a 
proud son of Ohio. His home community of Youngstown mourns the loss of 
a true hero. Family, friends, and neighbors will never forget Elvis. 
His death was a loss for his entire community. Every day, he is 
remembered as a wonderful husband, father, and patriot.
  A friend of Elvis' named Teresa Schaub from Killeen, TX, left him a 
message on an Internet tribute Web site. In it, she reflects upon the 
love shared by Elvis and his wife, and the pride with which his life is 
remembered. This is what she wrote:

       Elvis, I come to your grave side often. . . . You [and 
     Mary] were both always laughing and so happy. Nothing can 
     ever take that away. You both were always an inspiration to 
     everyone and continue to be. . . . Everyone is so proud of 
     you, Elvis. . . . Leaving us is like going through a stormy 
     season here on Earth, but then we think of you as the rainbow 
     that comes out after the storm and the clouds begin to fade. 
     You are our rainbow, our hope, and you will always be our 
     HERO.

  Elvis was deeply respected and loved by those with whom he served in 
the Army. They remember him as a man with whom new recruits could 
always sit down and talk--whether it was about personal problems or any 
other questions that needed to be answered. Whatever it was, Elvis was 
always willing to listen.
  Elvis is also remembered for his humor. Those who served with him 
recall that he was always joking, always smiling. He was a spirited and 
humorous man--someone who shared great laughs with everyone around him.
  SPC Christopher Beck served with Elvis and remembers how much Elvis 
taught him during that time. In his honor, Specialist Beck wears a 
black ``killed in action'' bracelet, on which is written Elvis' name, 
rank, hometown, military branch, and date of death. Specialist Beck 
does this so that he may never forget the sacrifice that Elvis made for 
our country and for those he loved.
  Soldiers who served with Elvis at Fort Hood remember the respect with 
which the Staff Sergeant was regarded. ``He was always a great NCO,'' 
Joshua Roughton wrote. ``I respected him greatly, as I know all of us 
in 1-22 Infantry, B-Company did. He will be missed.''
  And another of Elvis' comrades, Eric Kneffler, wrote the following in 
his memory on an Internet tribute Web site:

       Staff Sergeant Bourdon will be dearly missed by his family 
     and Fellow Soldiers. I had the opportunity to serve with him 
     at Fort Hood and considered him a good buddy and someone to 
     count on.

  Aaron DeShay also served with Elvis. He wrote this on Elvis's tribute 
Web page:

       To the family and friends of Elvis Bourdon, may God bless 
     you and bring you comfort in this most painful of times. I, 
     like many others, served with Elvis in B-Company 1-22 and 
     found a good friend in him. I share your pain as he has left 
     his mark in my heart as he has with those who got to know 
     him. We had a lot of laughs together, and I know he will be 
     greatly missed as he truly was a great man.

  Jeremy Cheney was another of Elvis' comrades who will never forget 
him. This is what he wrote about Elvis:

       Staff Sergeant Bourdon taught me many things as a soldier 
     and as a person. He was an excellent team member and was easy 
     to get along with, regardless of differences in rank. He will 
     be missed.

  In these numerous messages left for Elvis, I think one thing is 
beautifully clear--Elvis was a man who could be depended upon and was 
someone that so many looked up to. He was someone who could be trusted 
and who had a huge impact on everyone he met. Indeed, Elvis was a 
dedicated and respected soldier.
  More importantly, though, he was a devoted family man, who deeply 
loved his wife, children, and siblings. Elvis' brother, who also serves 
in the military, remembers how they would laugh and talk over a cup of 
coffee.
  They would talk so that they could help each other cope through 
difficult times. And, in the military, they fought side-by-side. They 
were truly brothers-in-arms.
  Elvis' sister remembers her brother as a true hero and a peacemaker. 
It is for these traits that she remembers and honors him. She wrote the 
following in honor of Elvis:

       I would like to thank everyone for the blessing of my 
     brother and any fallen heroes. Our family sends love and 
     appreciation to those all over the United States. I loved my 
     brother dearly and he is a true hero in my book. He was a 
     good person, who loved his family and siblings. He was a 
     peacemaker, and I love him for that. Your family misses you, 
     little brother, and you will always be in our prayers. We 
     love you and miss you very much.

  Elvis was dearly loved and respected by all who knew him. His tribute 
pages continue to be filled with messages from family and friends. 
These messages serve as living testaments to his legacy. Elvis had many 
people who loved him. On the tribute page, his wife recognized the 
outpouring of support. She wrote the following, 2 years after Elvis's 
death:

       It makes me feel good inside to know my husband had touched 
     so many soldiers' lives. He loved his job . . . and would be 
     proud and humbled by your words. The children and I are 
     strong, faithful people. God knew he was a good guy and 
     wanted to be with him, too. Continue to keep my husband's 
     advice going, and keep his family in your prayers. Thank you.

  When I think of men like Elvis Bourdon, I am reminded of words once 
spoken by Sir Winston Churchill. He said that ``courage is rightly 
esteemed the first of human qualities, because it is the quality that 
guarantees all others.''
  Without question, Elvis served his country with courage--and that 
guaranteed the rest. He will always be remembered. My wife Fran and I 
continue to keep his family and friends in our thoughts and prayers.


                      SPECIALIST RICHARD A. HARDY

  Mr. President, I rise this evening to pay tribute to Army SPC Richard 
A. Hardy from Bolivar, OH. On October 15, 2005, Specialist Hardy was 
one of five soldiers who died when an improvised

[[Page 22720]]

explosive device detonated near his military vehicle. He was 24 years 
old.
  Rick--as he was called by family and friends--wasn't planning to join 
the Army when he graduated from Timken High School in 2000. However, 
the terrorist attacks of September 11th motivated him to enlist. He 
wanted to serve his country. He wanted to protect our homeland. Rick 
was assigned to A Company, 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 3rd 
Infantry Division, based at Fort Benning, GA.
  Rick's father Richard remembers his son as ``a great kid.'' He also 
recalls the commitment Rick displayed in always trying to do his best. 
Rick graduated in 2000. ``He was really proud of that,'' his father 
recalls.
  During Rick's funeral, BG Tod Carmony, the deputy commander for the 
38th Infantry Division, remarked upon the courage Rick displayed by 
enlisting in the Army after the 9/11 attacks. Rick knew it was wartime, 
and he knew the risks that he would be running. But, he enlisted 
anyway. This is what Brigadier General Carmony said about Rick:

       He understood that we have no choice but to win this global 
     war on terrorism if his family, his community, and his 
     country are to be safe. So Richard put himself on the line, 
     and he died trying to keep that promise of safety to his 
     family and country.

  Brigadier General Carmony also noted that Rick was an expert with a 
carbine and a qualified Bradley gunner. According to the Brigadier 
General, this ``is quite an accomplishment.''
  Rick's father remembers that his son was proud of his role in the 
military and took the dangers of it in stride. He said, ``Rick didn't 
mind at all. It was a job--that's the way he looked at it.''
  Indeed, the Army was a job that Rick did exceedingly well. When he 
died, he was on his second tour of duty in Iraq. And according to his 
father, Rick had been sent back because the Iraq elections were 
approaching and they ``wanted some guys with experience in the 
country.''
  Well, Rick was a guy with experience--and he used that experience to 
help further the goal of democracy in Iraq. In fact, the day Rick died 
was also the day that millions of Iraqis braved death to vote for their 
new constitution.
  As Brigadier General Carmony put it, ``By being there, Richard gave 
the Iraqi people a chance to move a step closer to freedom and 
democracy.''
  Rick was scheduled to return home in December 2005. According to his 
father, he was going to take some time off to relax and then planned on 
getting a job as a welder.
  Those who knew best Rick remember that his favorite pastime was 
riding dirt bikes. His father owns about 6 acres of land, and Rick 
simply loved riding all over it. ``He was all over the place,'' his dad 
recalls.
  Rick also loved barbecue--steaks and ribs. His father said that Rick 
had to have a barbecue every time he came home. According to his dad, 
Rick ``said it beat the MREs--[that] there was nothing like a home-
cooked meal.''
  These barbecues were one of the many things Rick loved. He enjoyed 
life, and he especially enjoyed the simple things--like coming home to 
eat a good meal with his family.
  Specialist Hardy was a courageous soldier--a true hero, who always 
stood on the front lines. His Internet tribute Web page continues to be 
filled daily by family and friends with messages that serve as a living 
testament to Rick's legacy. Rick had many people who loved him.
  His Aunt ``Debbers'' posted the following message on the tribute Web 
site. This is what she wrote:

       Ricky! You were supposed to come home alive and well! I 
     guess God had other plans. You are so loved and missed. I 
     know you didn't want to be forgotten, but this wasn't the way 
     we wanted to remember you. May you at last find peace. You 
     will always be remembered, especially at the family 
     barbeques.
       God bless you for what you have ultimately paid the price 
     for--our freedom. Give Gram a hug and kiss. All our love to 
     you.

  Rick's Aunt Sandra posted this message:

       To my nephew--you will be missed greatly, and we love you. 
     We are also very proud of you and all of your comrades who 
     are fighting this war. God bless all of you.

  Rick's body was laid to rest with full military honors at St. 
Stephen's Catholic Cemetery in Bolivar. For his brave actions, Rick was 
posthumously awarded a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart. During his 
career with the Army, he was also the recipient of the Army Good 
Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, 
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Combat 
Infantryman's Badge, and the Weapons Qualification Badge.
  The world is a better place since Rick Hardy has been in it. A young 
man with courage and a sense of adventure, Rick was the model of what 
we all hope our children will become.
  My wife Fran and I will continue to keep Rick's father and step-
mother, Richard and Jody, his mother Doris; and his sisters Kristy and 
Jessica in our thoughts and in our prayers.
  Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. ISAKSON. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be dispensed with.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

                          ____________________