[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Page 15107]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, Iowa has lost another native son 
fighting for our liberty on foreign soil. I am sad to announce that on 
Monday, November 5, just as our Nation was preparing to cast our 
ballots in the election, PFC Brandon Buttry of Shenandoah, IA, gave his 
life defending our freedom. He was only 19 years old but had felt a 
calling to join the military since he was a young child. I thank God 
for such patriots as Brandon Buttry. Without such brave and selfless 
Americans in each new generation, our liberty and way of life could not 
have been sustained.
  My prayers go out to his parents, Don and Pam, his many brothers and 
sisters, and all those who knew and loved Brandon. He is described as 
having a mischievous smile and a twinkle in his eye as well as a slight 
contrarian streak. By all accounts, he was liked by all who knew him, 
and I know he will be missed very deeply in his community.
  I understand he had an interest in American history, and his love of 
his country is evident from his deep desire to serve. He has now given 
the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of his fellow countrymen, and his name 
will be immortalized alongside all those other American patriots who 
have laid down their lives in the name of freedom.
 Mr. BEGICH. Mr. President, I rise to commend the members of 
the 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division from 
Joint Base Elemendorf-Richardson, AK, upon the completion of their 
deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
  I had the chance to be there in person when part of the brigade 
arrived at Fort Richardson. It was great to see our soldiers reunited 
with their families after so long apart. I was glad to be there last 
year when the 4/25 deployed, and I am pleased to offer my best wishes 
now as we celebrate their return home.
  The 4/25 accomplished incredible things during its time in 
Afghanistan. Each and every member of the brigade--all 3,500 Spartans--
carried the fight to those who would do our Nation harm. In doing so, 
they have made the world a safer place for those who love freedom and 
democracy.
  However, those victories were not without sacrifice. During this 
deployment, eight brave Spartans were killed in action--PFC Nathan T. 
Davis, PFC Vincent J. Ellis, SSG Thomas K. Fogarty, SSG Carl E. Hammar, 
CPL Ethan J. Martin, PFC Richard L. McNulty III, SGT Brian L. Walker, 
and SPC Jeffrey L. White. We will never forget them.
  I would also like to recognize the families of the 4/25. As we all 
know, our soldiers simply could not do their jobs without the support 
of their loved ones. You are the ones who wrote letters and emails, 
sent care packages, and kept things running smoothly back home.
  When a soldier raises their right hand and swears in, their family 
joins the Army, too. Thank you all for your service.
  As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I commend the 4th 
Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, for their dedication, commitment and 
sacrifice. We owe them a debt of gratitude that can never fully be 
repaid.
  To both the Spartans and their families, thank you again for 
everything you do. God bless you, and God bless the United States of 
America.

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