[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 13]
[Senate]
[Page 18194]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES


                         Corporal Zachary Reiff

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, since the Senate last convened, I have 
learned of the loss of a brave Iowan who was defending freedom 
overseas. Marine Corporal Zachary Reiff was wounded during combat 
operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan and later succumbed to his 
wounds. This news has hit the close knit community of Preston, IA very 
hard. My prayers go out to all who knew Zach, particularly his parents 
Marcia and Matt, as well as his brother Kolby and his sister Emily. By 
all accounts, he was active in school, having played football, 
wrestled, and ran track as well as participating in school plays. As 
such, there was certainly no shortage of people in the community with 
memories to share. It is also evident that Zach is well thought of 
judging by the outpouring of good will following the news that he had 
been wounded. Zach is described as a caring person. Certainly, the 
beaming smile in many pictures posted on a Facebook prayer page in his 
honor makes even those who didn't know him wish that they had.
  Friends say that Zach was proud to serve his country and liked his 
work. Zach Reiff is one of those special Americans who throughout our 
history have not hesitated to put their life on the line for the Stars 
and Stripes and everything it stands for. Our country is truly blessed 
to have patriots such as Zach Reiff. We owe him more than we can 
express and we have an obligation to remember him and his sacrifices in 
the name of liberty.

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