Army Private First Class Branden F. Oberleitner

ARMY PRIVATE FIRST CLASS BRANDEN F. OBERLEITNER

Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, this past May, I came to the Senate Floor to commemorate the 58th Anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe. I had been asked by the surviving members of an Army Company—Company K of the 409th Regiment of the 103rd Infantry Division—to fly a flag over our U.S. Capitol building in honor of those in the company who died on the field of battle—those who did not return home—those who Bill Gleason, a Private in K Company, described this way:

Some in our Company were denied the chance to reach old age. They didn't make it to adulthood. They never were old
enough to vote in an election. They died then—there in France or Germany. . . . They are frozen in time as they were—forever youthful.

I have again flown flags over our U.S. Capitol and am here today on the Floor of the United States Senate to pay tribute to another soldier—another soldier who did not make it home—another soldier who will remain forever youthful.
Private First Class Branden F. Oberleitner was born on June 18, 1982, in Columbus, OH. He grew up in nearby Worthington, OH, and graduated from Thomas Worthington High School in 2001, just two short years ago. He was a beloved member of his class.

As a kid growing up, many of his friends and family described Branden as "ornery"—as an independent kid who liked to do things his own way. He didn't feel a need to "follow the crowd." He enjoyed looking for crabs with his friends and taking trips to Kentucky to explore in some of the local caves.

Branden valued friendship. Once you were Branden's friend, you were always his friend.

He was loyal.

Branden had an innate ability to fix things. He could intuitively find solutions to problems. Branden was a gifted mechanic and loved to work on cars—especially the 1988 Delta Oldsmobile that seemed to occupy a permanent place in the family driveway. Branden's friend and classmate, Tyler Louk, remembers him elbow-deep in grease working on that car night after night after night.

Branden dreamed of opening a bike shop someday with one of his friends. They were going to fix Harley's.

During high school, Branden started taking firefighting classes at the Delaware Area Career Center. He met a man there named Keith Luce, a retired firefighter and now a firefighter and EMT trainer, who had been an airborne trooper in Vietnam. Keith became an important role model, mentor, and trusted friend. The two developed a tight bond. They had a great deal in common and just seemed to speak the same language. Branden looked up to Keith—he respected him.

With Keith's support and encouragement, Branden thrived in his firefighter training courses. He took to it. He was adept at it. He had found something that really interested him and something that he was good at and enjoyed—something he could make a career out of when he was finished with high school.

Branden's life was taking on whole new dimensions. He was becoming a grounded, disciplined young man, who learned to take time to think things through.

He became focused and developed a sense of responsibility for himself and an appreciation for the needs of others. He wanted to make something of his life—he wanted to help others—he wanted to be of service to others.

The tragic terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, brought further clarity to Branden's life and his plans for the future. Angered by the vicious attacks and compelled to protect others from future terrorist strikes, Branden enlisted in the United States Army. He joined B Company, 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Assault Division, based out of Fort Campbell, KY.

The call to arms resonated with Branden. "That's all he wanted to do," said friend Kevin Earhart, who worked with
Branden at a local gas station before he enlisted. Military service became his passion. He was a good soldier—regimented and resolute. He quickly earned the respect of his unit. Known as "Obie," Branden served as an infantryman and back-up medic, where he was regarded as being both tactically and technically proficient. All in his unit endorsed his application for
Officer Candidate School. His Captain, William Riley, described him as "a shining example of what a soldier should be." Family friend, William Owen described him as "a model soldier—a soldier others could count on, turn to, and laugh with."

This model soldier lost his life on June 5, 2003, when a rifle-propelled grenade hit his Humvee near the Sunni city of Fallujah, about 30 miles west of Baghdad. Branden and the rest of his Division were working to ensure the safety of U.S. peacekeeping forces on the ground in Iraq.

He was 20 years old.

As William Owen said at Branden's memorial service, "He has a Bronze Star, a Purple Heart, and the appreciation of all of us because he showed that Americans are not selfish, but selfless."

Branden Oberleitner was indeed selfless.

He defines honor.

He defines bravery.

He defines love of country.

As his father, Freeman Carmack said:

It was my honor to have watched him grow into the man he became: A loving brother, son, and proud member of the 101st Airborne Assault.

Branden Oberleitner grabbed a lot out of life in an all too short amount of time.

He lived life well. He it lived deeply. He lived it fully.

My thoughts and prayers remain with Branden's family—his mother, with whom he was especially close, Iris Oberleitner; his father Freeman; brothers Lawrence and Andrew; sister Grace; grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Frank Carmack; and grandmother Dora Fassler.

I thank the Chair. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.