[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 15]
[Senate]
[Page 20761]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES


                         Captain Bruce E. Hays

  Mr. BARRASSO. Madam President, I rise today to pay tribute and 
express our Nation's sincere gratitude to a remarkable young soldier 
and his family. I was saddened to receive word that on September 17, 
2008, Army CPT Bruce E. Hays of Cheyenne, WY, was killed in the line of 
duty while serving our country in the war on terrorism. Captain Hays 
died from injuries he sustained while supporting Operation Enduring 
Freedom when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle 
in Gerdia Seria, Afghanistan.
  Captain Hays first enlisted in the Army in 1984, and joined the 
Wyoming National Guard in 2000. He received his commission and became 
an officer later that year. He was a versatile soldier, commanding 
units ranging from field artillery to information technology. Captain 
Hays is remembered by his fellow Wyoming soldiers as an outstanding 
officer, commander and leader who was both loved and respected by his 
troops.
  It is because of Bruce Hays and the blanket of freedom that he fought 
to provide that we sleep safely in our beds at night. The brave men and 
women of this Nation who answer the call to service and wear the 
uniform of the Armed Forces deserve respect and recognition for the 
enormous burden that they willingly bear. They put their very lives on 
the line every day for their fellow countrymen. And because of them and 
their families, our Nation remains safe and free in the face of danger 
and those who seek to harm us.
  Captain Hays represents the epitome of this selfless service to a 
cause greater than one's self. He was deployed as chief of an Embedded 
Training Team, charged with mentoring the Afghan police forces to 
defend the people of Afghanistan against terrorism. Laying aside his 
own self interest, Captain Hays gave his life in a far off land helping 
a fledgling democracy and a newly freed people to live the dreams that 
freedom and liberty bring.
  In the book of John, Jesus said that, ``Greater love has no man than 
this, that he lay his life down for his friend.'' CPT Bruce Hays gave 
his life, that last full measure of devotion, for you, me, and every 
single American. He gave his life defending his country and its people, 
and we honor him for this selfless sacrifice. And there are no words to 
express the profound gratitude that our Nation owes this brave solder 
and his family.
  Captain Hays is survived by a loving family including his wife Marie 
and their children, Bethany, Eleanor, John, Alfonso, and Genevieve, and 
his parents Barbara and Leonard. He is also survived by his brothers 
and sisters in arms of the Wyoming National Guard and the U.S. Army. We 
say goodbye to a devoted family man and an American citizen soldier. 
Our Nation pays its deepest respect to CPT Bruce E. Hays for his 
courage, his love of country and his sacrifice, so that we may remain 
free. He was a hero in life and will remain so in death. All of 
Wyoming, and indeed the entire Nation, is proud of him. May God bless 
him and his family, and greet him with open arms.


                     Staff Sergeant Nathan M. Cox.

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Madam President, I rise today to honor SSgt Nathan M. 
Cox who was killed on September 20, 2008 in Korengal Valley, 
Afghanistan. Staff Sergeant Cox was serving with B Company, 1st 
Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, out of Fort 
Hood, TX, and died following the injuries that he sustained after his 
vehicle encountered an improvised exploding device by the roadside. I 
would like to express my condolences to Nathan's friends and family, in 
particular Nathan's parents Jane and Leslie, wife Annie, and 5-year-old 
daughter Sophia. They are in my thoughts and prayers.
  Staff Sergeant Cox was deployed to Afghanistan in July of this year, 
having spent a year in Iraq prior to his arrival in Afghanistan. He had 
attended Davenport Central High School in Davenport, IA, and enlisted 
in the Army straight after leaving high school. Nathan spent 3 years in 
Bosnia during the mid 1990s. Then, in 2005, at age 29, he re-entered 
the Army to make it his career. Nathan made the ultimate sacrifice 
defending the country and the people that he loved, so that those of us 
back home can enjoy safety and freedom. His bravery and the bravery of 
all of his comrades will never be forgotten by a grateful nation.
  Jane Cox, Nathan's mother, said that Nathan was very interested in 
foreign affairs and hence chose the Army to utilize his talents. She 
added that Nathan had finally come to terms with his ``gift of being a 
leader.'' People who knew him describe a man with a great sense of 
humor who always looked on the bright side of everything. It is during 
these times of uncertainty abroad and at home that we look to the 
examples set by people like Staff Sergeant Cox, who carry out their 
duty in a way that is both courageous and honorable. I know that Nathan 
did not die in vain, but his tremendous sacrifice has helped to secure 
peace and freedom for the United States and our allies around the 
world.

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