[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 16817-16818]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           HONORING THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF SGT. ARI CULLERS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOE COURTNEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, November 4, 2011

  Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life, service 
and sacrifice of Army Sgt. Ari Cullers who lost his life serving in 
Afghanistan. Sgt. Cullers died October 30, 2011, in Kandahar Province, 
Afghanistan, of injuries suffered when an insurgent rocket-propelled 
grenade exploded near him.
  Sgt. Cullers was born in New London, CT and later moved with his 
family to Waterford, CT, where he attended school, graduating in 2001. 
Cullers was known throughout the community for his kindness and his 
ability to make people smile. As my friend, Principal Don Macrino of 
Waterford High School said, ``He was a hard worker at school and he, I 
think,

[[Page 16818]]

actually found himself when he got into the service. I think that was a 
place where he felt he could really make his mark.''
  He joined the Army in October 2004, served in Korea and Oklahoma, and 
arrived at Fort Drum in December 2008, according to the military. 
Cullers had previously served in Afghanistan from December 2008 to 
December 2009 and returned there with his unit in March 2011. Cullers, 
who deployed earlier this year, was a member of the 3rd Brigade Special 
Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, 
based out of Fort Drum, N.Y. Among his many awards and decorations are 
the Army Commendation Medal, four Army Achievement Medals, the 
Meritorious Unit Commendation, three Afghanistan Campaign Medals, the 
NATO Medal, the Combat Action Badge, and the Driver and Mechanic Badge.
  Sadly, Cullers is the third graduate of Waterford High School who was 
killed in combat in the Middle East in recent years. His passing 
reminds all of us of the sacrifices that have been made, and continue 
to be made, by our military overseas--including Ari's brother, Jacob, 
who also served in Iraq. While our nation has lost another hero, Ari 
Cullers' family has lost a beloved son and brother. My thoughts and 
prayers, and those of my family and the entire eastern Connecticut 
region, are with them now as they mourn. I ask that my colleagues join 
me in honoring Ari's life and his service to our nation.

                          ____________________