[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 8]
[Senate]
[Page 10634]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES


                    LANCE CORPORAL BRANDON GARABRANT

  Ms. AYOTTE. Madam President, I rise today to honor the life and 
legacy of LCpl Brandon Garabrant, a proud marine from Greenfield, NH, 
who was tragically killed in action in Afghanistan last week.
  Lance Corporal Garabrant was an extraordinary young man who cared 
deeply about his country. Before he even graduated from ConVal Regional 
High School last year, he had already graduated from marine boot camp 
at Parris Island. Brandon was eager to serve and he followed in the 
footsteps of his great-grandfather and his grandfather in joining the 
military to serve our country.
  Long before he joined the Marines, Brandon had already earned a 
reputation as someone who was passionate about serving others. 
Volunteering with the Temple Volunteer Fire Department starting at age 
17, he became a full-time member of that fire department when he turned 
18. The fire chief at Temple, George Clark, was quoted as saying 
Brandon ``was all about helping people,'' adding that ``no matter what 
needed doing, he was always the first guy there.'' Chief Clark said 
even when Brandon was home on leave he would get in touch and he would 
ask how could he help, a true reflection on Brandon's commitment to 
serving others as reflected in his service to our country.
  Lance Corporal Garabrant was proud to be a marine and enjoyed the 
important work he was doing. He was a big-hearted young man with a 
bright future ahead of him, and he represented the very best of New 
Hampshire and the very best of our great Nation.
  Brandon was taken from us far too soon. As we mourn his tragic loss, 
we commit ourselves to forever honor and cherish his memory and to 
carry on the proud legacy of service he leaves behind. Brandon was a 
true American hero for the sacrifice he made for our country, for our 
freedom. At this very sad time we also support and comfort his family 
who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country.
  In the difficult days and weeks ahead, my thoughts and prayers will 
remain with his mother Jessie, his father John, as well as his brother 
Jacob and his sister Mykala. May God forever bless LCpl Brandon 
Garabrant. May we honor his selfless sacrifice for our country. If it 
weren't for people such as Brandon, we would not enjoy the freedoms we 
have in this great country. If it were not for marines such as Lance 
Corporal Garabrant, who stepped up to serve his country and volunteered 
on behalf of our great Nation, we would not have the free speech rights 
we enjoy or any of the other rights we enjoy.
  My thoughts and prayers will remain with his family. My thoughts and 
prayers will remain with all of his fellow soldiers who have lost a 
friend, and my thoughts and prayers will remain with all of those in 
the Greenfield community, with the fire station, with Chief Clark, and 
all of those who have lost a great American hero.
  Thank you, Madam President.
  I would 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. TESTER. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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