[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 13]
[Senate]
[Page 19425]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




            REMEMBERING U.S. ARMY SPECIALIST DANIEL ECKSTEIN

  Mrs. SHAHEEN. Mr. President, I rise with a heavy heart to memorialize 
the promising life and service of U.S. Army SPC Daniel Eckstein, who 
died on December 10 at the young age of 22. Specialist Eckstein was a 
member of the 3rd Special Forces Group, serving as an unmanned aerial 
vehicle mechanic at Fort Bragg in North Carolina.
  Daniel was born in Lowell, MA on January 5, 1991, to Hans and Sharon 
(Green) Eckstein, and spent the first 6 years of his life there. In 
1997, Daniel moved to Nashua, NH, where he remained for his formative 
years until his graduation from Nashua High School North as a member of 
the class of 2009. During high school, Daniel eagerly competed as a 
member of the Nashua North Titans baseball team. He was also a 
passionate New England Patriots and Boston sports fan.
  Daniel enlisted in the Army in 2011, and following basic training he 
went on to successfully complete both Army Airborne School and the 
Warrior Leader Course. A testament to Daniel's drive for excellence as 
a soldier, he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal, the Army 
Achievement Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal and the National Defense 
Service Medal.
  Daniel loved his family, and was a proud father to his young son 
Brayden. It is my hope that during this extremely difficult time, 
Daniel's family and friends will find comfort in knowing that Americans 
everywhere appreciate deeply his vow to sacrifice his life in the 
defense of our country so that the rest of us may continue to live in 
peace and freedom.
  Along with his parents Hans and Sharon, Daniel is survived by his 
wife, Kristina Eckstein, whom he married on January 9, 2011; his son, 
Brayden Daniel Eckstein; his sister, Amy Eckstein of North Carolina; 
his stepfather, Edward McLaughlin of Lowell, MA; his maternal 
grandmother, Barbara Green of Nashua; his grandparents, Peter and 
Elaine Beaton of Nashua; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Michael 
and Darlene Burton and their daughter Summyr of Nashua; also aunts, 
uncles and cousins. This patriot will be missed by all.
  I ask my colleagues and all Americans to join me in honoring the life 
and service of this brave young American, Daniel Eckstein.

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