[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 16]
[Senate]
[Pages 22839-22840]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES


                  Staff Sergeant William Ryan Fritsche

  Mr. BAYH. Mr. President, I rise today with a heavy heart to honor the 
life of the brave staff sergeant from Martinsville, IN. William Ryan 
Fritsche, 23 years old, died on July 29, 2007 from injuries sustained 
on July 27 near Kamu, Afghanistan, when his dismounted patrol received 
rocket-propelled grenade and small arms fire. With an optimistic future 
before him, Ryan risked everything to fight for the values Americans 
hold close to our hearts, in a land halfway around the world.
  Ryan joined the Army at the age of 17 after graduating from 
Martinsville High School. After being deployed in Africa in 2004 and 
receiving several commendations, he was promoted to sergeant in April 
of 2005. He was chosen to serve in the Old Guard at Arlington National 
Cemetery, which is the oldest active-duty infantry unit. He was also 
selected in 2005 to be part of President Bush's inaugural procession in 
Washington, DC. It was during his most recent assignment to the 1st 
Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, based out of 
Vicenza, Italy, that he was killed while serving his country in 
Operation Enduring Freedom.
  Today, I join Ryan's family and friends in mourning his death. 
Although he was extremely proud of serving his country through military 
service, he prided himself most on his family. He was a devoted husband 
to Brandi and the loving son of Volitta. Ryan was a detective in the 
Morgan County Sherriff's Department.
  Martinsville High School administrators, faculty, and students 
referred to Ryan as having a quiet intensity while being mature, 
focused, and determined with the ability to succeed at anything he 
tried. His high school's athletic director spoke highly of the former 
basketball player saying, ``He was one of those players, that if you 
were a coach, you loved to have on your team because of his work ethic 
and obviously as an athletic director, he was one of those kids that 
you love in your program, because he was such a good kid. He just 
represented you the way you wanted to be represented.''
  Ryan's final act was one of leadership and bravery. While other 
soldiers lay dead and wounded, he led a nine man patrol into battle, 
and according to the Army, his efforts saved other troops. Today and 
always, Ryan 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. 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 
Ryan, a memory that will burn brightly during these continuing days of 
conflict and grief.
  As I search for words to do justice in honoring Ryan'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 Ryan's actions will live on far longer that any 
record of these words.
  It is my sad duty to enter the name of William Ryan Fritsche in the 
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 Ryan's family 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 Ryan.
  Mr. LAUTENBERG. Mr. President, another month has passed, and more 
American troops lost their lives overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan. It 
is only right that we take a few moments in the U.S. Senate to honor 
them. Outside my office here in Washington, we have a tribute called 
``Faces of the Fallen.'' Visitors to the Senate from across the country 
have stopped by the memorial. I encourage my colleagues to come see

[[Page 22840]]

this tribute on the third floor of the Hart Building.
  Since the end of June, the Pentagon has announced the deaths of 88 
troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. They will not be forgotten. So today, I 
will read their names into the Record:

       SGT Stephen R. Maddies of Elizabethton, TN;
       CPL Jason M. Kessler of Mount Vernon, WA;
       1LT Benjamin J. Hall, VA;
       SPC Camy Florexil of Philadelphia, PA;
       CPL Sean A. Stokes of Auburn, CA;
       SSG Wilberto Suliveras of Humacao, Puerto Rico;
       MAJ Thomas G. Bostick Junior of Llano, TX;
       SSG William R. Fritsche of Martinsville, IN;
       PFC Cody C. Grater of Spring Hill, FL;
       SPC Daniel A. Leckel of Medford, OR;
       PVT Michael A. Baloga of Everett, WA;
       SGT William R. Howdeshell of Norfolk, VA;
       SPC Charles E. Bilbrey Junior of Owego, NY;
       SPC Jaime Rodriguez Junior of Oxnard, CA;
       PFC Juan S. Restrepo of Pembroke Pines, FL;
       SGT Courtney D. Finch of Leavenworth, KS;
       SSG Joshua P. Mattero of San Diego, CA;
       LCpl Robert A. Lynch of Louisville, KY;
       CPL James H. McRae of Springtown, TX;
       CPL Matthew R. Zindars of Watertown, WI;
       1SG Michael S. Curry Junior of Dania Beach, FL;
       SGT Travon T. Johnson of Palmdale, CA;
       PFC Adam J. Davis of Twin Falls, ID;
       PFC Jessy S. Rogers of Copper Center, AK;
       Hospitalman Daniel S. Noble of Whittier, CA;
       PFC Zachary R. Endsley of Spring, TX;
       LCpl Bobby L. Twitty of Bedias, TX;
       SGT Shawn G. Adams of Dixon, CA;
       CPL Christopher G. Scherer of East Northport, NY;
       SGT Jacob S. Schmuecker of Atkinson, NE;
       SFC Luis E. Gutierrez-Rosales of Bakersfield, CA;
       SPC Zachary R. Clouser of Dover, PA;
       SPC Richard Gilmore the Third of Jasper, AL;
       SPC Daniel E. Gomez of Warner Robbins, GA;
       CPL Rhett A. Butler of Fort Worth, TX;
       PFC Brandon M. Craig of Earleville, MD;
       SGT Ronald L. Coffelt of Fair Oaks, CA;
       PFC James J. Harrelson of Dadeville, AL;
       PFC Ron J. Joshua Junior of Austin, TX;
       PFC Brandon K. Bobb of Orlando, FL;
       SGT Nathan S. Barnes of American Fork, UT;
       CPO Patrick L. Wade of Key West, FL;
       PO1 Class Jeffrey L. Chaney of Omaha, NE;
       SPC Eric M. Holke of Crestline, CA;
       LCpl Shawn V. Starkovich of Arlington, WA;
       SGT John R. Massey of Judsonia, AR;
       PFC Benjamin B. Bartlett Junior of Manchester, GA;
       SPC Robert D. Varga of Monroe City, MO;
       PFC Christopher D. Kube of Sterling Heights, MI;
       SGT Allen A. Greka of Alpena, MI;
       SGT Courtney T. Johnson of Garner, NC;
       1SG Jeffrey R. McKinney of Garland, TX;
       CAPT Maria I. Ortiz of Bayamon, Puerto Rico;
       SGT Eric A. Lill of Chicago, IL;
       MSG Randy J. Gillespie of Coaldale, CO;
       CPL Kory D. Wiens of Independence, OR;
       PFC Bruce C. Salazar Junior of Tracy, CA;
       SGT Gene L. Lamie of Homerville, GA;
       PFC Le Ron A. Wilson of Queens, NY;
       CPL Jeremy D. Allbaugh of Luther, OK;
       LCpl Steven A. Stacy of Coos Bay, OR;
       LCpl Angel R. Ramirez of Brooklyn, NY;
       COL Jon M. Lockey of Fredericksburg, VA;
       SFC Sean K. Mitchell of Monterey, CA;
       PFC Jason E. Dore of Moscow, ME;
       SPC Jeremy L. Stacey of Bismarck, AR;
       SPC Anthony M.K. Vinnedge of Okeana, OH;
       SPC Roberto J. Causor Junior, of San Jose, CA;
       SPC Michelle R. Ring, of Martin, TN;
       MAJ James M. Ahearn, CA;
       SGT Keith A. Kline of Oak Harbor, OH;
       SPC Christopher S. Honaker of Cleveland, NC;
       PFC Joseph A. Miracle of Ortonville, MI;
       SGT Thomas P. McGee of Hawthorne, CA;
       PO1 Jason Dale Lewis of Brookfield, CT;
       PO1 Robert Richard McRill of Lake Placid, FL;
       PO1 Steven Phillip Daugherty of Barstow, Ca;
       CWO Scott A.M. Oswell, WA;
       PFC Andrew T. Engstrom of Slaton, TX;
       PFC Steven A. Davis of Woodbridge, VA;
       1LT Christopher N. Rutherford of Newport, OH;
       LCpl William C. Chambers of Ringgold, GA;
       LCpl Jeremy L. Tinnel of Mechanicsville, VA;
       LCpl Juan M. Garcia Schill of Grants Pass, OR;
       SFC Raymond R. Buchan of Johnstown, PA;
       SSG Michael L. Ruoff Junior of Yosemite, CA;
       SPC Victor A. Garcia of Rialto, CA;
       PFC Jonathan M. Rossi of Safety Harbor, FL.

  To date, more than 3,600 American men and women have lost their lives 
in Iraq. And more than 400 have lost their lives in Afghanistan. We 
will not forget them and the Nation will not forget their sacrifice.

                          ____________________