[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Page 11858]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES


                       Sergeant Michael E. Ristau

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Madam President, I rise to pay tribute to the life and 
service of SGT Michael E. Ristau, a native of Cascade, IA. He was 
killed on July 13, 2012 in Qalat, Zabul Province, Afghanistan while 
serving his country as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. He leaves 
behind his wife, Elizabeth, two sons, Hyle and Bradley, his parents, 
Randy and Suzanne, and many other family and friends. My prayers go out 
to them as they grieve his loss.
  By all accounts, he was a brave soldier who was proud of serving his 
country. He had a long list of awards and decorations, including the 
Bronze Star and Purple Heart, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct 
Medal, with Oak Leaf Cluster, National Defense Service Medal, 
Afghanistan Campaign Medal, with Bronze Service Star, Iraq Campaign 
Medal, with two Bronze Service Stars, Global War on Terrorism Service 
Medal, Army Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Non-Commissioned Officer 
Professional Development Ribbon, Valorous Unit Award, Meritorious Unit 
Commendation, and Combat Infantryman Badge.
  Our Nation is truly blessed to have patriots like Sergeant Ristau who 
volunteer to serve their country, prepared to endure the daily 
sacrifices of a deployment and the horrors of combat, and knowing that 
they could make the ultimate sacrifice. About his military service, his 
family said, ``Michael had a passion for the military and was going to 
re-enlist.'' They also said that ``Michael was always looking out for 
others and helping them in any way possible.'' There is certainly no 
more selfless act than to give one's life to ensure that others may 
live in freedom. We cannot hope to ever fully repay the debt we owe 
Michael Ristau, but as he joins the illustrious ranks of our fallen 
patriots from the birth of our Nation to the present day, we have an 
obligation to honor his life and his sacrifice. We must always remember 
heroes like Michael Ristau and never take for granted the gift of 
liberty they have won for us.

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