[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 2]
[Senate]
[Page 2828]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES


                Chief Warrant Officer Joshua M. Tillery

  Mr. MERKLEY. Mr. President, I rise today to honor a brave Oregonian 
who tragically lost his life last Monday in Kirkuk, Iraq. CWO Joshua M. 
Tillery, was a pilot with the 6th Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, 10th 
Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum. Chief 
Warrant Officer Tillery was serving his second tour of duty in Iraq at 
the time of his death.
  Joshua Tillery was a recipient of the Bronze Star, the Air Medal, the 
National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal for Combat 
Service, the Global War on Terror Service Medal, two Army Commendation 
Medals, six Army Achievement Medals, the Noncommissioned Officers 
Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Army 
Overseas Service Ribbon, the Army Air Assault Badge, the Army Aviator 
Badge, the Combat Action Badge, and the Parachutist Badge for his 
courageous service to our country.
  Chief Warrant Officer Tillery represents the most selfless and most 
honorable of men in our country. His friends and family recall how he 
was to serve his country and how he always wanted to do whatever he 
could to help people. Joshua loved to fly and was on his way to 
becoming a flight safety officer. Like so many Oregonians, he enjoyed 
oudoor activities, and particularly loved snowboarding and riding dirt 
bikes. He was 31 years old when he passed, a devoted husband, and 
father of three young boys with another baby on the way.
  I offer my prayers and condolences to his family and friends. Oregon 
has lost one of its bravest and brightest young men, and I know I join 
all Oregonians in honoring the legacy of Joshua Tillery.

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