[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 10]
[Senate]
[Page 13583]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES


                     Staff Sergeant Benjamin Prange

  Ms. FISCHER. Mr. President, today I wish to honor the life and 
sacrifice of U.S. Army SSG Benjamin G. Prange, who was killed in action 
on July 24 while serving in Kandahar Province in Afghanistan. Staff 
Sergeant Prange ``Ben'' to his friends and family--was a soldier in the 
4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson, CO. He repeatedly answered the 
call to deploy, serving three tours in Afghanistan in 6 years.
  Ben was born and raised in rural Nebraska south of Lincoln, near 
Hickman and Roca. He was no stranger to adversity early in life, 
overcoming the deaths of both of his parents before he turned 16. He 
was raised by his grandparents, Kent and Carolyn Prange, who live just 
west of Roca, NE.
  Ben attended Norris High School, where he met his future wife 
Elizabeth. Ben is remembered as a ``good, solid kid'' by his high 
school superintendent Roy Baker. Liz and Ben married a year after his 
graduation. They would have celebrated their 11th wedding anniversary 
on July 26. He enlisted in the Army in January 2007 to fulfill a dream 
of becoming an infantryman. Liz is left to care for their two sons, 
Corbin and Dillon, who I hope will understand in time the tremendous 
debt of gratitude this Nation owes to their father for selfless 
sacrifice to protect all that we hold dear.
  Ben served our country with distinction. He was a four time recipient 
of the Army Commendation Medal and a recipient of the Combat 
Infantryman Badge for service under direct enemy fire. He was also 
awarded an Army Achievement Medal, two Good Conduct Medals, a National 
Defense Service Medal, a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, an 
Overseas Service Ribbon, and two NATO Medals, in addition to his 
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with three campaign stars for his tours of 
duty.
  My thoughts and prayers remain with his family, friends, and his 
fellow soldiers who have lost a great father, soldier, and friend. His 
sacrifice will never be forgotten.

                          ____________________