[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Page 16815]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             REMEMBERING MASTER SERGEANT MICHAEL LANDSBERRY

  Mr. HELLER. Mr. President, today I wish to honor one of Nevada's own 
veterans, MSgt Michael Landsberry, who died a hero's death in Sparks, 
NV, on October 21, 2013. After spotting a student with a gun at Sparks 
Middle School, Master Sergeant Landsberry moved directly into harm's 
way to protect his students and others from danger. He was fatally 
shot. This patriot leaves behind a legacy of self-sacrifice and service 
to his country and community.
  Master Sergeant Landsberry was an Alabama native, a graduate of 
McQueen High School, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, a University of 
Nevada Reno alumnus, and a decorated master sergeant Nevada Guard 
airman. In 2001, Master Sergeant Landsberry enlisted in the Nevada Air 
National Guard and subsequently began working for the Washoe County 
School District. He began his teaching career at Trainer Middle School, 
where he spent 4 years teaching history, math, and science. In 2006, he 
started teaching math at Sparks Middle School. Throughout his tenure as 
a teacher, Master Sergeant Landsberry served as a coach in his 
community for middle school basketball, cross country, track, and 
volleyball, as well as high school soccer. He was a passionate teacher, 
coach, and mentor who touched the lives of his students and those in 
the community each and every day.
  In 2006, Master Sergeant Landsberry deployed to Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, 
where he performed duties as an airlift validator for the Central 
Command Deployment and Distribution Center. He deployed again in 2011 
to Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan, executing air transportation 
functions for the 455th Expeditionary Aerial Port Squadron. Throughout 
his career, Master Sergeant Landsberry was extensively decorated, 
signifying his strong work ethic and commitment to service.
  Today, I also want to recognize and express my gratitude to Master 
Sergeant Landsberry's family. The sacrifices of our servicemembers and 
their families are debts that can never fully be repaid. My thoughts 
and prayers continue to go out to his wife, Sharon, and his two 
daughters, Alisa and Andrea. This tragedy is one that all of us 
struggle to understand, but we will continue to remember Master 
Sergeant Landsberry as a great and honorable man and father. Today, I 
ask my colleagues to join me in remembering the life of a courageous 
patriot whose act of heroism cost him his life but saved many more.

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