[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 15]
[Senate]
[Pages 20708-20709]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES


                       Specialist Sergio S. Abad

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, this morning I pay tribute to a fallen 
soldier from my home State. SPC Sergio Abad was tragically killed in 
Wanat, Afghanistan, from wounds suffered by small-arms fire and rocket-
propelled grenades fired by the enemy on July 13, 2008. Army records 
listed Morganfield, KY, as Specialist Abad's home, and he was 21 years 
old.
  For his valor on the battlefield, Specialist Abad received several 
medals, awards, and declarations, including the National Defense 
Service Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Army Commendation Medal 
with Combat Distinguishing Device ``V,'' the Purple Heart, and the 
Bronze Star.
  Specialist Abad's adoptive mother, Marilyn Popko, relates a tale of 
his heroism in his final moments that explains just how such a young 
man earned that many medals and more. At a memorial service for Sergio 
at Arlington National Cemetery, a friend and fellow soldier of Sergio's 
who was at the battle told her Sergio kept fighting even after taking 
hits to his arms and thigh. With his brother soldier there to reload 
his gun for him, Sergio kept firing until he finally succumbed to his 
wounds and could fight no more.
  ``It was his dream to be in the military, and he was living his dream 
when he was killed,'' Marilyn says.
  Sergio was born and grew up in Florida. At the age of 7, he was 
removed from an abusive home and placed with relatives. By middle 
school, young Sergio had become part of not just one Florida family but 
two: the Popkos and the Pittses, both of whom already had children 
around his age.
  ``He would stay with us a while, then go to stay with Lori Pitts's 
family,'' Marilyn recalls.
  Thanks to the support of the Popkos and Pittses, a child with an 
unhappy start in life received plenty of support and love. He called 
both Marilyn Popko and Lori Pitts ``Mommy.'' Paul Pitts and Stephen 
Popko were both ``Dad.''
  Growing up, Sergio participated in Junior ROTC and studied karate at 
a local martial arts studio. Sergio ``was really athletic and could 
knock out hundreds of push-ups with no problem,'' says Marybeth Klock-
Perez, who ran the studio where Sergio practiced. For someone who had 
``been dealt really unfair cards in life, he was absolutely never 
bitter. He never used excuses or acted like the world owed him.''
  COL Eddie Santana ran Sergio's Junior ROTC Program. He was ``an 
outstanding young leader--very disciplined and committed,'' the colonel

[[Page 20709]]

remembered. ``He always knew what he wanted to do: join the Army.''
  Sergio traded the Sunshine State for the Bluegrass State in 2005 when 
he came to the Earle C. Clements Center in Morganfield, KY, to earn his 
GED. After he received it, he entered basic training at Fort Benning, 
GA, and then was stationed in Italy for a year with Company C, 2nd 
Battalion, 503rd Infantry.
  ``It was one of the best times he ever had,'' Marilyn Popko says. 
``He went to Germany, Switzerland, France. And he loved jumping out of 
airplanes.''
  Amidst all this adventure, Sergio also fell in love. He met 
Christina, and the two planned to marry in the summer of 2008. The 
wedding was to feature the music of Sergio's favorite singer, Frank 
Sinatra. Sadly, Sergio was killed before he could walk down the aisle 
and before he could welcome his and Christina's daughter, due this 
December, into the world. Christina ``legally changed her name to Abad 
so their daughter would have Sergio's name,'' Marilyn says. Sergio 
``died without knowing they were having a girl--he always wanted a 
daughter.''
  Sergio leaves behind many loved ones, and our thoughts are with them 
today. This includes members of both the Popko and Pitts families, 
including Marilyn, Stephen, and Catherine Popko, and Lori, Paul, 
Zachery, and Leo Pitts and Krystine Pitts Flagg, as well as Sergio's 
fiancee, Christina Abad, and their daughter, who will grow up knowing 
their father was a hero.
  Everyone who knew and loved him should also know our Nation is 
honored to have men like SPC Sergio S. Abad defend our country. Today, 
this Senate honors him for his immense sacrifice and for his life of 
service.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor.
  Mr. REID. I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so 
ordered.
  The majority leader is recognized.

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