[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 8]
[Senate]
[Pages 11295-11296]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES


                     Specialist Nicholas P. Bernier

  Mrs. SHAHEEN. Mr. President, I rise today with deep sadness to pay 
tribute to the service and sacrifice of Army SPC Nicholas P. Bernier, 
who died on June 25, 2011, from injuries sustained during combat in 
Kherwar, Afghanistan, while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. 
Specialist Bernier was a combat medic with Headquarters,

[[Page 11296]]

Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 4th 
Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division based out of Fort Polk, LA.
  A native of East Kingston, NH, and 2007 graduate of Exeter High 
School, Nicholas or Nick, as he was called by those who knew him, 
enlisted in the U.S. Army shortly after graduation. Prior to his 
deployment to Afghanistan in October 2010, Nick provided medical care 
in Texas to wounded soldiers who had returned from overseas.
  From a very young age, Nick stood out in his tight-knit community for 
his desire to help others. It was, therefore, no surprise to his 
friends and family when he answered the call to serve his country, to 
protect his fellow Americans, and to care for his brothers in arms as a 
medic on the frontlines in Afghanistan. This last assignment was, in 
fact, a natural fit for him.
  Our Nation can never adequately thank Nick for his willingness to 
serve and to make the ultimate sacrifice defending the freedoms we hold 
dear. While words provide little comfort at such a time as this, I hope 
Nick's family will find some solace in the deep appreciation all 
Americans share for Nick, for the life he lived and for the ultimate 
sacrifice he made in the service of others. He was a true American 
hero.
  Nick is survived by his parents, Paul Bernier of East Kingston, NH, 
and Tina Clements of Haverhill, MA; two brothers, Bradley and 
Christopher, and half-sister, Brittany. He also leaves behind a caring 
extended family and a community that loved him.
  I ask my colleagues and all Americans to join me in honoring the 
life, service, and sacrifice of SPC Nicholas P. Bernier.

                          ____________________