[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 6]
[Senate]
[Page 7499]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




      HONORING NEBRASKA'S SOLDIERS WHO LOST THEIR LIVES IN COMBAT

  Mrs. FISCHER. Mr. President, I rise to continue my tribute to 
Nebraska's heroes and the current generation of men and women who lost 
their lives defending our freedom in Iraq and Afghanistan. Each of 
these Nebraskans has a special story to tell.


                         Corporal Adrian Robles

  Today I will share the story of the life of Marine Cpl Adrian Robles 
of Scottsbluff, NB. Adrian was known throughout Scottsbluff for his big 
smile. His older sister Beatriz remembers it this way: ``As soon as he 
smiled, even if you were mad at him, you would stop and have to 
smile.''
  Behind that big smile, though, was a tough young man. More than 
anything, Adrian wanted to be a marine. This longing to serve his 
country was a point of pride and tradition in Adrian's family. His 
grandfather, Pedro Torres, served as a fighter pilot in World War II. 
Pedro's stories of service and adventure inspired Adrian's quest to 
become a marine, and their bond was a source of joy throughout the 
family.
  As Adrian's father Cesar recalls, ``He loved his grandpa so much. He 
was a hero to him.''
  When he was 16, Adrian approached his parents and told them he wanted 
to be a marine. He didn't want to wait. He even prepared a waiver for 
them to sign, which would have allowed Adrian to join the Corps when he 
turned 17. While they admired the passion in their young son, Adrian's 
parents stood firm. They wanted Adrian to focus on completing his high 
school education.
  Deterred but not discouraged, Adrian decided to join the high school 
soccer team. Soccer became an outlet for him, not only as an athlete 
but as a way to train and get in shape for the Marines. Adrian 
graduated from Scottsbluff High School in May of 2005. As expected, he 
immediately enlisted in the Marine Corps.
  In the year that followed, Adrian completed basic training and served 
a full tour in Iraq by the end of 2007. His determination impressed his 
fellow marines. GySgt Trent Kuhlhoof served with Adrian during a tour 
in Iraq. Adrian was the kind of person who naturally bonded with 
everyone. As Sergeant Kuhlhoof remembers, ``It was hard for me to get 
mad at him--for anything.''
  Adrian had discovered his calling. He worked toward excellence, and 
he loved being a marine. A marksman is the centerpiece of every Marine 
combat team, and Adrian was a good one. By the age of 21, he had earned 
three Good Conduct Medals, a rare feat in the military.
  In the spring of 2008, Cpl Adrian Robles deployed to Afghanistan as 
part of the 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Division. Their mission was to 
train local Afghan military forces, but by the fall this changed to a 
security mission as tensions rose in the dangerous territory of Helmand 
Province.
  A few months later, on October 22, 2008, Adrian was on patrol when 
suddenly his vehicle was hit by an improvised explosive device. 
Corporal Robles was killed instantly. His unit was scheduled to leave 
Afghanistan 2 months later.
  On November 2, 2008, hundreds of friends and neighbors from 
Scottsbluff lined the streets from the church to the cemetery. An honor 
guard and horse and carriage team transported the casket to its final 
resting place.
  In a career of 3 short years, Corporal Robles earned three Good 
Conduct Medals, two Sea Service Deployment Ribbons, the Afghanistan 
Campaign Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism 
Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Purple 
Heart.
  Adrian's mother Yolanda recalls that his life's passion was to serve 
his country. She notes that he hated war and knew the dangers, but he 
loved being a marine. A brave, disciplined, and joyful young man, 
Adrian lived a short life, but his imprint is felt by the countless 
people who knew and loved him. Perhaps his devotion is summed up best 
by the tattoo on his left arm, which read: ``Your Freedom. My Life. 
Without Complaint.''
  Adrian embodied the strength and determination that Nebraskans are 
known for all over the world. He lived passionately, and he earned his 
dream of being a U.S. marine. Cpl Adrian Robles is a hero and I am 
honored to tell his story.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mrs. Fischer). The Senator from Alaska.

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