[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 8]
[Senate]
[Pages 11994-11995]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES


                Specialist Francisco J. Briseno-Alvarez

  Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, I wish to pay tribute to a true American 
hero, Army SPC Francisco Briseno-Alvarez who died on September 25, 2011 
serving our Nation in Laghman Province, Afghanistan. Specialist 
Briseno-Alvarez was assigned to Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 
279th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Oklahoma 
Army National Guard.
  SPC Briseno-Alvarez died of injuries sustained when the vehicle in 
which he was riding was attacked with an improvised explosive device in 
Laghman Province while conducting combat operations. He was 27 years 
old.
  Our thoughts and prayers go out to those in his family he left 
behind: his father Javier Briseno, mother Lurdes Alvarez, and siblings 
Adrian and Diana Briseno.
  Francisco graduated from U.S. Grant High School in Oklahoma City in 
2003. He enlisted in the Oklahoma National Guard on September 11, 2010 
and served as a motor transport operator in the 700th Brigade Support 
Battalion and then with the 1-279th Infantry Regiment.
  As evident from reading through quotes from friends and family, 
Francisco touched people's lives in remarkable ways:
  Brenda Fetzko, a neighbor said, ``I know he loved his mother very 
much so'' and was a good man and had a strong connection to his family. 
``He was a very good person and was just getting his life going.''
  Ruben Gonzalez, a friend said, ``Paco was a very nice man, and I am 
proud to say that he was my friend from high school and after. . . . 
I'm very proud of you Francisco.''
  Juan Cerano, a cousin said, ``He died doing the right thing. He died 
serving and protecting his country. He was like the brother I never 
had. There's always going to be a part of him in our hearts.''
  MG Myles Deering, the Oklahoma Adjutant General said, ``My thoughts 
and prayers are with the Briseno-Alvarez family and those of our 
wounded heroes. SPC Briseno-Alvarez answered the call to serve this 
great Nation and help defend it. His loyalty and ultimate sacrifice for 
the sake of our Country will never be forgotten.''
  A true warrior, Francisco died while participating in tough and 
demanding combat operations. This fight took Francisco from us 
prematurely, but make no mistake; it is a fight we will win. We must 
continue our unwavering support for the men and women protecting our 
Nation and allies.
  I extend our deepest gratitude and condolences to Francisco's family 
and friends. Francisco lived a life of love for his family and country. 
He will be remembered for his commitment to and belief in the greatness 
of our Nation. I am honored to pay tribute to this true American hero 
who volunteered to go into the fight and made the ultimate sacrifice 
for our protection and freedom.


                 Army Specialist Christopher D. Gailey

  Mr. President, it is my honor to also remember Army SPC Christopher 
D.

[[Page 11995]]

Gailey. Chris and PFC Sarina N. Butcher, 19, of Checotah, OK, lost 
their lives November 1, 2011, in Laja Ahmad Khel, Paktia province of 
Afghanistan, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their 
military vehicle during a supply mission.
  Born September 15, 1985, in Bartlesville, OK, Chris attended 
Wentworth Military Academy in Lexington, MO, before returning and 
graduating with the class of 2005 from Caney Valley High School in 
Ramona, OK.
  Those who knew Chris said he was a man who ``loved his country, loved 
America and loved his family.''
  Eager to join the National Guard, he enlisted in June 2004 before 
graduating high school and was assigned to the 700th Brigade Support 
Battalion, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Oklahoma National Guard, 
Tulsa, OK. Previously deployed to Iraq in 2007 to 2008 as a motor 
vehicle operator, he departed for Afghanistan in June 2011.
  The Oklahoma National Guard family is deeply saddened by the loss of 
these two outstanding citizen-soldiers,'' MG Myles L. Deering, the 
Adjutant General for Oklahoma, said in a news release. ``Their 
commitment and willingness to serve our nation during a time of war is 
indicative of their tremendous character and courage. Our thoughts and 
prayers are with their families, friends and those that continue to 
serve our country in Afghanistan.''
  Survivors include his parents Shan and Tammy Gailey of Ochelata, OK, 
his daughter Allison Marie Gailey of Bartlesville, one brother Beau 
Dugan of Merriam, KS, two sisters Angelina Janelle Niko of Bartlesville 
and Kristina Jeanette Gailey of Stillwater, OK, his paternal 
grandmother Lela Belle Gailey of Marshfield, MO, his maternal 
grandparents Carl Eugene Maples and his wife Carol of Joplin, MO, one 
uncle Jesse Robert Gailey, four aunts: Barbara Jane Foster, Shawn Dee 
Adams, Manya Alice Maples, and Sonya Jolene Hamblin, and several 
nieces, nephews and cousins.
  ``Keep good memories of him,'' his father Shan Gailey said. ``Keep 
him in your heart.''
  Funeral services were held on November 12, 2011 in the Bartlesville 
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Full military rites were 
conducted by the Oklahoma National Guard and interment was in the 
Ochelata Cemetery in Ocheleta, OK.
  Today we remember Army SPC Christopher D. Gailey, a young man who 
loved his family and country and gave his life as a sacrifice for 
freedom.


               Army Staff Sergeant Allen R. McKenna, Jr.

  Mr. President, I also wish to remember a remarkable young man, Army 
SSG Allen R. McKenna, Jr. Robby died February 21, 2012 in Kandahar 
province, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
  Robby was born July 17, 1983 in Oklahoma City, OK and graduated from 
Noble High School, where he met his wife Lindsey. He enlisted in the 
Army in September 2004 and was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 10th 
Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort 
Carson, CO.
  The military was a natural choice for him, and he took college 
courses to advance his military career, his mother said. ``He had his 
clothes ironed by 5 a.m. That boy loved it,'' she said. ``He just 
always had a love for the military, the discipline and the way they 
hold their head high.''
  His second tour of duty to Afghanistan began on September 6, 2011. 
While deployed he was able to come home in December 2011 to witness the 
birth of his youngest child Waylon.
  ``He was the greatest father my boys could ask for. He was a great 
husband who loved us all very much. It makes me sad to know we won't 
grow old together, but he lived a beautiful life and (he) gave me three 
of the most beautiful things I could ask for,'' his wife Lindsey said.
  His mother said she looked forward to getting calls from her son 
while he was in Afghanistan. ``I learned very quick when a phone call 
came in at 3 a.m. to jump up and answer it,'' Mitchell said. ``He would 
call and play his guitar and sing me a song he had written.''
  On March 6, 2012, Robby was laid to rest in Hillside Cemetery in 
Purcell, OK. Oklahoma Governor, Mary Fallin ordered flags on State 
property to fly at half-staff on March 6, 2012 in honor of Robby.
  Robby is survived by his wife Lindsey McKenna of Purcell, three sons: 
Allen Robert McKenna III, Michael ``Mickey'' McKenna, and Waylon Roan 
McKenna, and the only girl in the family, his pet cat ``Scat;'' father 
and stepmother, Allen and Pam McKenna of Purcell, grandparents Bill and 
Charlotte McKenna of Alex, Alvie and Cleta Mitchell and Grace Cummins 
of Noble, OK; three brothers and their families, Billy and Jamie 
Bingenheimer of Little Axe, OK, Bobby and Charlene Bingenheimer of 
Purcell, OK, and Scotty and Lenette McKenna of Anchorage, AK, one 
sister Jessi McKenna of Purcell, OK, stepfather Lamar Bingenheimer, 
step-grandparents Frankie and Mary Rinehart of Purcell, OK, father-in-
law, Donnie Jones of Noble, OK, mother-in-law Donya Jones of Norman, 
OK, numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and 
friends.
  Today we remember Army SSG Allen R. McKenna, Jr., a young man who 
loved his family and country, and gave his life as a sacrifice for 
freedom.

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