[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Page 5803]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES


                       Lance Corporal Cody Wanken

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, it is with great sorrow I honor a fallen 
soldier. American hero Marine LCpl Cody Wanken was seriously injured 
near Fallujah, Iraq, last fall. He subsequently died from these 
injuries on April 2, 2008. My deepest sympathy and prayers go out to 
Cody's parents, Rick and Susan Wanken.
  Cody was a machine gunner in the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 
1st Marine Division. He was a 2006 graduate of Hampton-Dumont High 
School and served as the 2005-06 president of the Iowa Jobs for 
America's Graduates, Hampton-Dumont chapter.
  Throughout his youth, Cody was a standout athlete. He played on a 
Hampton youth baseball team that took first place at the Iowa games, 
and he was named to the Class 3A, District 2 defensive team after his 
senior year of high school. Cody returned to speak at Hampton-Dumont 
while recuperating from his injuries obtained in Iraq.
  Cody will be forever remembered by his family, friends, and community 
members. One of Cody's former coaches said, ``He was very, very proud 
to serve in the Marines. You could just tell.'' For this, we are all 
indebted for his service to our country. I express gratitude on behalf 
of all Americans to the family of a true American patriot, fallen hero 
Marine LCpl Cody Wanken.

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