[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 8]
[Senate]
[Page 11198]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES


                     Specialist Christopher W. Opat

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I would like to pay tribute to SPC 
Christopher W. Opat, an Iowan who gave his life in service to his 
country as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was from Lime Springs, 
IA, and graduated from Crestwood High School in 1999. Christopher 
attended Iowa Lakes Community College before enlisting in the Army. He 
was remembered as a hard worker with a good sense of humor. Specialist 
Opat was serving his third deployment to Iraq. During his brief 
military career, he was twice awarded the Army Good Conduct Medal and 
also received the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on 
Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, and the Overseas 
Service Ribbon. Our Nation is indebted to individuals like Specialist 
Opat whose tremendous sacrifice in defense of freedom must never be 
forgotten. The loss of such a dedicated, patriotic American is 
extremely sad and my prayers will be with Christopher's mother Mary 
Katherine, his father Leslie, and all his family and friends at this 
difficult time. I ask all my colleagues in the Senate to join me today 
in paying tribute to the courageous and selfless service of SPC 
Christopher Opat.

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