[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Page 11964]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES


                 Tribute to Lance Corporal Hunter Hogan

  Mr. JOHANNS. Mr. President, I rise today to remember a fallen hero, 
U.S. Marine Corps LCpl Hunter H.D. Hogan. Lance Corporal Hogan was 
killed in action while supporting combat operations in Afghanistan on 
June 23, 2012.
  Lance Corporal Hogan cultivated a desire to serve our Nation at an 
early age, and he followed in his father's footsteps when he enlisted 
in the Marine Corps on October 26, 2009. He, like so many young 
marines, could have pursued other opportunities outside of the 
military, but he instead chose to take an oath of service to our great 
country. He was rightfully proud of this oath and remained faithful to 
the mission and to his brothers in arms.
  The Hogan family laid their marine to rest in York, NE, on July 6, 
2012. Lance Corporal Hogan served with honor and valor having been 
awarded the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Sea Service Deployment 
Ribbon, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service 
Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal.
  Hunter is mourned by his wife Brittney, his father, mother, 
grandparents, and so many others. I know his family is proud of him and 
will always remember his spirit and his quick wit. His sense of 
adventure and his enthusiasm for rodeo, hunting, and fishing will also 
be fondly remembered. Hunter's passion for life and those around him 
allowed him to be the best marine he could be.
  Strong marines are not possible without the support of family. 
Hunter's family chose a quote by Senator Paul H. Douglas to describe 
their young marine's passion for the Corps.

       Those of us who have had the privilege of serving in the 
     Marine Corps value our experience as among the most precious 
     of our lives. The fellowship of shared hardships and dangers 
     in worthy cause creates a close bond of comradeship. It is 
     the basic reason for the cohesiveness of Marines and for the 
     pride we have in our Corps and our loyalty to each other.

  We hold our heads high when we speak of the strong tradition of 
military service in our great State of Nebraska. We are honored to call 
him one of our own, and I know Nebraskans across the State will provide 
his family with care and love during this very difficult time.
  May God bless the Hogan family and all of our service men and women 
both home and abroad. LCpl Hunter Hogan, forever a marine, forever a 
cowboy, Semper Fidelis.

                          ____________________