[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 6]
[Senate]
[Page 8490]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES


                     Staff Sergeant Jesse Williams

  Mr. DONNELLY. In recognition of Memorial Day, I would like to take a 
moment today to honor three Hoosier servicemembers we lost in the last 
year.
  We remember Army SSG Jesse Williams of Elkhart, who was killed in 
action after his Black Hawk helicopter crashed in Zabul Province, 
Afghanistan, on December 17, 2013.
  Staff Sergeant Williams attended Elkhart Central High School and 
completed basic training in 2006. He was deployed three times--once to 
Iraq in 2007 and twice to Afghanistan in 2010 and 2013. Staff Sergeant 
Williams is survived by his daughter, parents, grandparents, and 
siblings. His family accepted the Purple Heart on his behalf last 
month.


                    Technical Sergeant Dale Mathews

  We remember Air Force TSgt Dale Mathews from Rolling Prairie, IN, who 
died in a plane crash during a training exercise in England on January 
7 of this year.
  Technical Sergeant Mathews graduated from New Prairie High School in 
1994. He served tours of duty in both Iraq and Afghanistan. His service 
in the Air Force centered on flying rescue missions and taking care of 
others. After serving almost 20 years, he was involved in the rescue of 
nearly 300 people.
  Technical Sergeant Mathews is survived by his wife, his son, 
daughter, stepson, stepdaughter, and his parents and grandparents.


                      Staff Sergeant Randall Lane

  We remember Army SSG Randall Lane of Indianapolis.
  Staff Sergeant Lane passed away from a noncombat-related illness in 
Afghanistan on September 13, 2013. Staff Sergeant Lane served his 
country proudly in the Marines and in the Indiana Army National Guard 
for over 20 years. He is survived by his wife, three daughters, 
stepson, parents, brothers and sister, and his grandmother.
  These men are all true heroes. They served their country with 
distinction. They made their family, friends, and all the people of 
Indiana and America proud. I send my continued thoughts and prayers to 
their families.
  Like these three men, the United States has a long history of 
selfless warriors--men and women choosing to serve not because of the 
glory it brings to them but because of the freedom and safety it brings 
to others. When one of them makes the ultimate sacrifice by giving 
their life for ours, it is important that we pause and remember the 
true price of freedom.
  I was proud to see my fellow Hoosiers come together in reflection and 
remembrance when we lost these three American sons, and I ask that we 
do the same this Memorial Day.
  May God bless the United States of America.
  I thank the Presiding Officer and yield the floor.

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