[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 18]
[Senate]
[Pages 24472-24473]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES


                          fort carson soldiers

  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to 
eight young men from Fort Carson in Colorado who perished last weekend 
in Afghanistan. This was the heaviest U.S. loss of life in a single 
battle since July 2008, when nine American soldiers were killed in 
Afghanistan.
  In highlighting the lives of these young soldiers, I do not want to 
diminish the loss of other brave servicemen and women who have given 
their lives for our country. Before last weekend, Fort Carson alone had 
lost 270 soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan, and we must continue to 
honor the courage of our fallen, our wounded, and those who continue 
the fight.
  But I hope the stories of these eight young men today speak to the 
loved ones of all the brave men and women who have lost their lives in 
Afghanistan and Iraq in recent years. I honor their service, their 
courage, their dedication, their love of country and family. I thank 
their wives, husbands, children, parents, and other family members and 
friends for their support of these brave servicemen and women. And I 
want to express my deepest sympathy to them as they mourn their loss.
  These eight soldiers were all from the same platoon--Bravo Troop of 
the 3rd Squadron, 61st Cav, 4th Infantry Division, based at Fort 
Carson. The 4th BCT has worked since May to secure territory throughout 
a four-province region near Jalalabad in some of Afghanistan's most 
rugged terrain, training in the nearby hills to prepare for high-
altitude battle. A major achievement included providing security for 
Afghanistan's presidential election in August, enabling local Afghans 
to go to the polls.
  I met with the 4th BCT commander, COL Randy George, back in April in 
Colorado, before Colonel George and his soldiers departed for 
Afghanistan. I know how hard Colonel George worked to get these 
soldiers ready for the fight, and they were ready. These eight young 
men and their fellow soldiers fought valiantly, taking on about 200 
insurgents in their remote outpost in Afghanistan's Nuristan province.
  As MAJ Daniel Chandler, the rear detachment commander for the 4th
  BCT, said: ``They were attacked, the unit fought bravely, and in the 
end, they won the day.''
  I would like to say a few words about each of these men.
  SPC Michael Scusa of Villas, NJ, was 22 years old. He joined the Army 
after graduating from high school and was on his second tour in 
Afghanistan. A former teacher said: He was a boy any mom would be proud 
to have. He leaves behind his wife and 1-year-old son in Colorado, as 
well as immediate family in New Jersey and Nebraska. SPC Christopher 
Griffin was 24 years old. He grew up in the small town of Kincheloe, 
MI. A high school classmate said that the ``whole town'' knew that 
Christopher would enlist someday. The Army was his calling--and he was 
very proud of it. He leaves behind his family in Michigan.
  PFC Kevin Thomson of Reno, NV, was 22, and joined the Army in April 
2008. Friends said that he could make anyone smile, that he valued 
friendship, and that he had a strong relationship with his mother. His 
photo hangs in Scolari's grocery store in southeast Reno, where he used 
to work. He leaves behind his family in Nevada and California.
  SGT Vernon Martin of Savannah, GA, was 25 years old, and leaves 
behind a wife and three children and family in Georgia and New York. He 
joined the Army 6 years ago and had served in Iraq before being shipped 
to Afghanistan. His wife said that he hoped to work with kids someday--
and that Vernon was the best thing that ever happened to her and their 
children.
  SPC Stephan Mace of Lovettsville, VA, was 21 years old, and is 
survived by his family in West Virginia and Virginia. His mother said 
that he loved sports, wildlife, and the outdoors, and that he always 
had a smile on his face. He learned about patriotism from his 
grandfather, who served in the CIA during the Vietnam war, and had a 
strong love of his country and the military. Stephan's youngest brother 
just graduated from boot camp at Fort Sill--he wants to join the Army 
like his brother.
  SGT Joshua Kirk--originally of Bonners Ferry, ID--was 30 years old. 
He leaves behind his wife and 2-year-old daughter in Colorado and 
mother in Idaho.
  SGT Joshua Hardt of Applegate, California, was 24 years old, and was 
an outgoing and athletic young man--so talented at high school football 
that his helmet was retired. When Joshua was stationed at Fort Carson, 
he and his wife moved to Colorado together. Joshua leaves behind his 
wife and immediate family in California.
  SGT Justin Gallegos of Tucson, AZ, was 27 years old. His friends 
called him ``a man of excitement, courage, leadership, and kindness,'' 
and a strong man, a go-getter. He leaves behind family and friends in 
Tucson.
  There is so much more to say about each one of these soldiers--and 
about each of the men and women who have given their lives in the 
service of our country. Now is a time to honor their memories and pay 
tribute to them for their tremendous sacrifice and dedication to our 
Nation. We will not forget you.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Ohio is recognized.
  Mr. BROWN. Mr. President, I appreciate the words of the senior 
Senator from Colorado and his words about soldiers in his State and 
around the country. We all share that sentiment today in the Veterans' 
Committee. We heard from soldiers and family members about people who 
died in the line of service, not in battle but for other reasons--
contaminated drinking water in some cases, in other cases open-pit 
burning. It is important we honor our men and women, as Senator Udall 
did, but also that we, frankly, treat them better when they are in the 
service. Their commanding officers sometimes

[[Page 24473]]

need to pay more attention to that and how we treat the families of our 
men and women, our soldiers, and our veterans. But I thank the senior 
Senator from Colorado.
  Mr. BENNET. Mr. President, it is with a heavy heart that I rise today 
to recognize the tragic loss of nine soldiers stationed at Fort Carson, 
CO, who were killed this past weekend in Afghanistan.
  Last Saturday, eight soldiers from the 4th Infantry Division's 4th 
Brigade Combat Team at Fort Carson were killed in a firefight by 
insurgents in a remote area of Afghanistan. From what we know, as many 
as 200 insurgents attacked two of our mountain outposts, and U.S. and 
Afghan soldiers responded together. The fighting lasted most of the 
day. When it was over, Fort Carson had seen our most costly day since 
Vietnam.
  These eight young men made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. 
All Coloradans and all Americans honor their bravery and their service. 
We owe them and their families a great debt.
  I wish to read the names of these courageous soldiers into the 
Record, and recognize that a ninth tragedy has also apparently now 
occurred, and say a few words about each:
  SGT Vernon Martin was 25 years old. He leaves behind a wife and three 
children. After joining the Army 5 years ago, Vernon had already served 
bravely in Iraq. His wife has told people that he hoped to work with 
kids in the future. She also said he was the best thing that ever 
happened to her and their children.
  SGT Justin Gallegos was 27 years old. A native of Tucson, AZ, his 
friends described him as a man of excitement, courage, leadership, and 
kindness. He is remembered for his constant smile and his generosity. 
Justin leaves behind a 5-year-old son. His family and friends will miss 
him dearly.
  SGT Michael Scusa was 22 years old. After graduating from high school 
in New Jersey, he joined the Army to serve his country. Michael was 
serving his second tour in the region. Before he died, he had told his 
wife that if he was killed, he wanted to be buried in Colorado Springs 
to be close to his son. This son had been named after a friend of 
Michael's who was lost in Iraq.
  SGT Joshua Kirk was 30 years old. He grew up in Idaho where his 
family still lives. He had followed his childhood dream of entering the 
Army and was serving his second tour in Afghanistan. He is survived by 
his wife and 2-year-old daughter.
  SPC Stephan Mace was 21 years old. Born in Virginia, he grew up 
loving sports, wildlife, and the outdoors. His mother said that he 
always had a smile on his face. His grandfather, who had served in the 
CIA, taught Stephan what it means to serve your country. Stephan 
recently returned home for a 15-day leave trip, and his mother said 
that he returned to his post without fear.
  PFC Kevin C. Thomson was 22 years old. He joined the Army just last 
year. Originally from Reno, his friends described him as the type of 
person who could make anyone laugh. He cared little for material things 
and put more emphasis on the people around him. His photograph hangs in 
the Reno grocery store where he worked after high school. He will be 
missed by his family and friends in Nevada and California.
  SGT Joshua Hardt was 24 years old. He was described by family and 
friends as an extrovert and athlete. He was so talented on the field, 
actually, that his high school football helmet was retired. Seeing the 
successes of his older brother in the military, he followed his brother 
into the Army. He is survived by his wife, his hometown sweetheart, who 
moved with him to Colorado after he was stationed at Fort Carson.
  SPC Christopher Griffin was 24 years old. Coming from a small town in 
Michigan, friends say they knew he would end up serving his country. 
Serving in the Army was his longtime goal. He played football and 
wrestled in high school, and made his friends laugh. Christopher's 
family in Michigan is proud of his service, and his hometown has made 
plans to name a street after him.
  In addition, we recently have learned that a ninth Fort Carson 
soldier was killed in Afghanistan this weekend in a separate attack. 
SPC Kevin O. Hill, of New York, died on Sunday. He was 23 years old.
  At great personal risk, these nine men braved a war in a faraway 
land. They pushed forward into great danger to protect us here at home. 
When asked, they answered the call of duty and performed their missions 
with distinction.
  Coloradans are immensely grateful for their selfless dedication, and 
our thoughts and prayers are with their families and loved ones today. 
I hope their pain is eased by the knowledge that these soldiers will 
always be remembered and honored.
  Let us all remember the incredible sacrifices made by nine young 
people for America's freedom and our safety here at home. I know I 
speak for all 100 Members of the Senate in offering America's 
condolences and gratitude to all nine of these mourning families on 
this day.


                  Pennsylvania's 56th Stryker Brigade

  Mr. CASEY. Mr. President, I wish to recognize the contributions of 
the 56th Stryker Brigade which recently returned to homes and families 
across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. For 9 months the 56th Stryker 
Brigade has been deployed in Iraq. Here these civilian soldiers, known 
as the Independence Brigade, worked side by side with Iraqi 
counterparts to continue to bring stability and security to the Iraqi 
people. On the front lines they patrolled neighborhoods, targeted 
insurgents, and swept for improvised explosive devices. They performed 
more than 800 combined operations, captured 7 brigade-level, high-value 
targets, and discovered more than 80 enemy weapons caches. Any success 
we have had in Iraq is not only the result of military achievements. In 
this regard, it is equally important to recognize the $22 million in 
reconstruction efforts the 56th Stryker Brigade assisted with in 
coordination with an embedded U.S. provincial reconstruction team.
  While these young men and women are now home, we must also remember 
those who fell in battle. Two members of the 56th gave, as Lincoln said 
so long ago, ``the last full measure of devotion'' to their country. 
SPC Chad Edmundson of Williamsburg was killed by an IED, and SSGT Mark 
Baum of Quakertown was killed by enemy small arms fire. To these 
soldiers' families and friends, I express our condolences and gratitude 
on behalf of the people of Pennsylvania for their sacrifice. Please 
know that our prayers are with you and that we will never take for 
granted their personal courage and sacrifice. We pray for Chad and 
Mark, and we also pray for ourselves, that we may be worthy of their 
valor.
  While deployed, many things have changed for these members of the 
Pennsylvania National Guard. Some members met their sons and daughters 
for the first time. For all our troops, a time of readjustment and 
reintegration back into their communities and daily lives lies ahead. I 
want the National Guard to know I will always be committed to helping 
them during this battle. I know there are other guard members who bear 
scars from battle, whether visible or not. The Senate must ensure our 
citizen soldiers' jobs are maintained while they are deployed, and we 
must provide opportunities for them to find employment upon their 
return.
  For this reason, I will continue to urge colleagues to take up and 
adopt the Service Members Access to Justice Act and the FORCE Act which 
will make National Guard assistance programs more effective and 
responsive and ensure that National Guard troops keep their jobs and 
employment benefits as required under law.
  Again, I express my appreciation to the 56th Stryker Brigade and all 
of the men and women in service.

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