[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 163 (2017), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 8608]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF FALLEN MISSISSIPPI ARMY NATIONAL GUARD 
                  SPECIALIST (SPC) BRYAN EDWARD BARRON

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TRENT KELLY

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 26, 2017

  Mr. KELLY of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in memory of 
Mississippi Army National Guard Specialist (SPC) Bryan Edward Barron 
who paid the ultimate sacrifice while defending our great nation on May 
23, 2005, when his military vehicle was struck by an improvised 
explosive device in Haswa, Iraq. Also killed were Sergeant (SGT) Audrey 
Daron Lunsford, Sergeant First Class (SFC) Saburant Parker, and 
Sergeant (SGT) Daniel Ryan Varnado.
  SPC Barron was assigned to C Company, 1st Battalion, 1-155th Infantry 
Regiment, Mississippi Army National Guard, Biloxi, Mississippi.
  SPC Barron, a Biloxi native, was hoping to be home from Iraq in time 
for his daughter's first birthday when he was killed. A relative told 
the Associated Press that SPC Barron left behind two daughters.
  ``I can say this. He died a hero,'' his brother-in-law, Ken Daniels, 
said in 2005. ``He was a true American. He found it worthwhile. He 
found it worth the risk to put his life in danger.''
  SPC Barron was memorialized with the naming of the Natchez Army 
National Guard Readiness Center in his honor. Many family members, 
soldiers, and friends were on hand for the dedication of the building.
  Mississippi Army National Guard Brigadier General (BG) John Rhodes 
served as the 1-155th infantry battalion commander in 2005. BG Rhodes 
recently said SPC Barron will be remembered along with the others who 
died with him.
  ``SPC Bryan Edward Barron, SGT Audrey Daron Lunsford, SFC Saburant 
Parker, and SGT Daniel Ryan Varnado are remembered in many ways, but we 
knew them as warriors who represented something larger than 
themselves,'' BG Rhodes said. ``They operated in a hostile environment 
and faced the dangers of combat on a regular basis. Yet, if given the 
choice, they would not have wanted it any other way. They sacrificed 
their lives trying to provide a better life for people who they did not 
even know. This is who they were and what they represented. They 
exemplified the modern day Mississippi Riflemen. Stand Fast, 
Mississippians! Stand Fast!''
  During Operation Iraqi Freedom, Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Andrew 
Robertson served as company commander of Charlie Company, 1-155th, 
Infantry Regiment, MS Army National Guard, Biloxi, Mississippi, serving 
operational control under 2-11 Armed Cavalry Regiment (ACR), U.S. Army. 
He says there were no greater people than the Charlie Company soldiers 
who endured being in the most dangerous and highest casualty area of 
operation as part of OIF III under Task Force 155 Heavy Brigade Combat 
Team.
  ``In 2005, there were no greater Americans than our fallen patriots, 
Charlie Company infantrymen and their families. None greater. This, I 
believe America needs to know,'' LTC Robertson said.
  SPC Barron's daughter, Hayley Barron, shared how proud she is of her 
father's service. ``I am tremendously proud,'' Hayley said. ``What he 
has done, laid the foundation for my sister and me for years to come. 
He went to Iraq for a very good purpose.''
  SPC Barron is survived by his wife, Amanda, daughters, Hayley Barron, 
Jaden Barron, mother, Cynthia Barron, sisters, Sandy Barron, Jodie 
Barron, Susie Barron, and brother, Cory Barron.
  SPC Barron's sacrifice to protect the freedoms we all enjoy will not 
be forgotten.

                          ____________________