[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Page 14771]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




        COMMENDING 153RD INFANTRY OF THE ARKANSAS NATIONAL GUARD

 Mrs. LINCOLN. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize the 
outstanding humanitarian assistance recently provided by Company C, 
153rd Infantry of the Arkansas National Guard.
  In early April, Mena, AR, was hit by an F3 tornado which devastated 
this small town in western Arkansas. These severe storms killed 3, 
injured more than 100, and left thousands of residents without power. 
The tornado also damaged important emergency response centers in the 
town and county, including the hospital, the police and fire 
departments, and the courthouse, which houses the 911 emergency 
dispatch center.
  However, under the leadership of CPT Rodney Lay, Company C of the 
153rd Infantry, including team leaders 1LT Brian Lawrence Inman, 1SG 
Eric Schnell, SSG James Schnell, SSG Jacob Sullivan, SSG Neal Badger, 
and WO Jeffrey Shores, helped to immediately restore order to the 
devastated community. Company C provided downtown security during the 
aftermath of the tornado and went door to door to check on area 
citizens. In addition, they provided aid to victims of the storm that 
could not be transported to the city's hospital.
  Our military simply could not function without the thousands of 
reservists and guardsmen on bases and armories in communities across 
this country. Since September 11, 2001, they have been called upon to 
serve in unprecedented numbers. We honor the tremendous service they 
provide in preserving our freedoms, but we must also not forget the 
critical role they play in responding on the homefront in communities 
like Mena that desperately need their help in restoring order and 
stability in their time of need.
  I am honored to recognize the outstanding service of these citizen 
soldiers to the State of Arkansas and to the thousands of others who 
have helped provide assistance and support to communities in 
need.

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