[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 8725]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   IN HONOR OF MASTER SERGEANT CHILDS

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. MIKE ROSS

                              of arkansas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 7, 2012

  Mr. ROSS of Arkansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a true 
patriot who died in service to this great country. On May 4, 2012, 
Master Sergeant Gregory L. Childs died of a non-combat related illness 
at the age of 38 in Kabul Province, Afghanistan, in support of 
Operation Enduring Freedom.
  Master Sergeant Childs was raised in Warren, Arkansas, where he 
graduated from Warren High School in 1992. After graduation, he joined 
the United States Army where he served his country with honor for 20 
years, traveling to Bosnia, Germany, Columbia, and two tours to 
Afghanistan. He excelled through the ranks of the Non-Commissioned 
Officer (NCO) Corps and earned the rank of Master Sergeant (MSG), one 
of the highest ranks you can receive in the U.S. Army NCO Corps. At the 
time of his death, Master Sergeant Childs was assigned to the Defense 
Logistics Agency, Administrative Support Center, Fort Belvoir, 
Virginia.
  Although I never had the honor to meet Master Sergeant Childs, on 
behalf of the State of Arkansas, I extend my sincere condolences to his 
family, friends and all who knew him for this devastating loss.
  Master Sergeant Childs is survived by his daughter, Kourtlan Iman 
Childs of Arlington, Texas; his mother, Eula Childs of Warren, Ark.; 
his brother, Shawn Childs of Little Rock, Ark.; a grandmother, Maola 
Jones of Hermitage, Ark.; a fiancee, Jewele Johnson of Columbia, SC; 
best friends Chad Mingo of Shreveport, LA, and Alonzo Hampton of 
Bowling Green, KY, as well as a host of other relatives, friends, and 
soldiers.
  When we think of true heroes, we think of brave Americans like Master 
Sergeant Childs who risk everything to defend freedom and serve this 
great country. We will always be grateful for his selfless sacrifice 
and he will be deeply missed by all who knew him. My thoughts and 
prayers go out to his family and friends during this very difficult 
time. We are who we are as a nation because of patriots like Master 
Sergeant Childs.
  Today, I ask all Members of Congress to join me as we honor the life 
of Master Sergeant Gregory L. Childs and his legacy, as well as each 
man and woman in our Armed Forces, and all of those in harm's way, who 
give the ultimate sacrifice in service to this great country. We owe 
them our eternal gratitude.

                          ____________________