[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Page 4672]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES


                        Sergeant Keith E. Fiscus

  Mr. CARPER. Mr. President, I rise today to reflect on the life and 
service of Army SGT Keith E. Fiscus. Keith epitomized the best of our 
country's brave men and women who fought to free Iraq and to secure a 
new democracy in the Middle East. He exhibited unwavering courage, 
dutiful service to his country, and above all else, honor. In the way 
he lived his life--and how we remember him--Keith reminds each of us 
just how good we can be.
  Keith was born to Pamela and Darrell Fiscus in Glendale, CA, in 1980. 
His family moved to Townsend, DE, in 1998. He was the second oldest of 
four children and is survived by an 18-year-old brother, Jordan, and 
two sisters, Korrie, 16, and Dena, 28. My heart goes out to each of 
them.
  Keith finished his senior year at Glasgow High School in Newark, DE, 
and graduated in 1998. After his graduation, Keith took a job in the 
produce department at Genuardi's supermarket in Glasgow, DE, and then 
worked as a customer service representative for a major credit card 
company. He enrolled in business classes at Delaware Technical & 
Community College but soon decided that his interests didn't include 
sitting behind a desk in an office or classroom.
  Inspired by his grandparents' service in the Armed Forces, Keith 
joined the Army in 2002. After graduating from boot camp, he was 
assigned to the 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 
25th Infantry Division based out of Schofield Barracks in Hawaii. He 
was deployed to Iraq and served with distinction for the duration of 
his 14-month tour.
  While serving in Iraq, Keith decided to reenlist in the Army. After 
returning to the States, Keith received training on how to identify and 
disarm explosives. Keith volunteered to serve a second tour of duty in 
Iraq and was deployed again in August of 2006. He was scheduled to 
return home in February of 2007.
  On December 2, 2006, Keith was serving as a machine gunner for an 
explosive ordinance disposal team on their way to clear a suspected 
roadside bomb near the city of Taji. An improvised explosive device was 
triggered near the humvee he was riding in, and Sergeant Fiscus was 
killed instantly.
  Contrary to his tough-looking tattoos and love of heavy metal music, 
Keith was a fun-loving, caring, and sensitive young man. He was 
described by those that knew him as a hopeless romantic who loved the 
camaraderie of the Army and spending time with family and friends. He 
was also an avid golfer and fisherman.
  Sergeant Fiscus was also an excellent soldier. He was an expert 
rifleman who received numerous recognitions during his Army career: 
Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign 
Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, 
Overseas Service Ribbon, and Combat Infantryman Badge. The Purple Heart 
and the Bronze Star were awarded posthumously.
  I rise today to commemorate Keith, to celebrate his life, and to 
offer his family our support and our deepest sympathy on their tragic 
loss.


                        Specialist Travis Vaughn

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, today I would like to honor SPC Travis 
Vaughn, who died on February 18, 2007, in a helicopter crash while 
fighting in Afghanistan. A Cedar Falls, IA, native, Travis served 
proudly and with distinction during Operation Enduring Freedom.
  With bravery and valor, Travis accepted the call to defend America 
against those who seek to undermine our values, our democracy, and our 
way of life. In Afghanistan, he and others from the 160th Special 
Operations Aviation Regiment out of Fort Campbell, KY, served their 
country in a dangerous part of the world, helping to make the rest of 
the world a safer place. Sadly, Travis's service to his country cost 
him his life, forever earning him the gratitude of the American people.
  Travis is remembered fondly and will be greatly missed. A longtime 
friend of Travis recently said of him, ``He was always there to help 
anybody that he could and do whatever he could to make people happy.'' 
Still other friends recalled Travis's fondness for adventurous 
recreational activities. These qualities made Travis well-suited for 
military service, and certainly we were fortunate to have a man of such 
drive and ability serving in the U.S. Army.
  On behalf of all Iowans and people throughout this country, I offer 
my heartfelt condolences to Travis Vaughn's friends and family. In 
particular, my thoughts and prayers go out to his wife Heather, his 
stepson Taylin, his father Brad, and mother Christine. They should know 
that the entire Nation stands behind them during this time of mourning. 
His loss is indeed tragic, but he will be remembered as a hero and a 
patriot.

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