[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 8]
[Senate]
[Page 10631]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES


                    Lance Corporal Brandon Garabrant

  Mrs. SHAHEEN. Madam President, it is with a heavy heart that I rise 
this evening to honor the life and service of U.S. Marine Corps LCpl 
Brandon Garabrant. Brandon was a native of Greenfield, NH, who, sadly, 
was killed in action on Friday in Afghanistan.
  Lance Corporal Garabrant was serving his first tour overseas after 
completing basic training at Camp Lejeune last year.
  In the days since we learned that Brandon made the ultimate sacrifice 
for his country, we have been touched by the selfless devotion with 
which he lived his life and which defined him as a citizen and a 
marine.
  His dedication to our country was so focused that he completed his 
basic training at Camp Lejeune just 1 day before he graduated from 
ConVal Regional High School. Brandon also served throughout his high 
school years as a volunteer firefighter with the Temple Volunteer Fire 
Department.
  Although he was just 19 years old when he deployed to Afghanistan, 
Brandon faced the enormous task of defending our Nation with unshakable 
conviction.
  Brandon's thoughts on the eve of his April deployment most aptly 
demonstrate his devotion to his country, to his community, and to his 
fellow marines. Brandon wrote:

       Fighting for our country, our brothers to the left and 
     right, our friends and families back home. So that you can 
     have the right for freedom and to live the American dream 
     without fear of anything. Here comes a long journey into the 
     unknown.

  It is certainly a very long journey for Brandon.
  Brandon is survived by his mother Jessie, his father John, and his 
younger siblings Jacob and Mykala.
  It is my hope that during this extremely difficult time Brandon's 
family and friends will find comfort in knowing that Americans 
everywhere appreciate deeply his sacrifice in defense of our country so 
the rest of us may continue to live in peace and freedom.
  Brandon epitomized the best New Hampshire tradition of service, and 
his example will not soon be forgotten by those who were fortunate 
enough to have known him.
  I ask my colleagues and all Americans to join me in honoring the life 
and service of this brave young American, Brandon Garabrant.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. COATS. I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call 
be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

                          ____________________