Honoring Our Armed Forces
HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES
PETTY OFFICER 2ND CLASS TRACE DOSSETT
Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I would like to pay tribute to Petty Officer 2nd Class Trace Dossett who valiantly gave his life for his country on Sunday, May 2, 2004. Petty Officer Dossett was one of five Navy Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 14 killed during a mortar attack on the Ramadi Marine base in Iraq. I offer my deepest sympathy to his wife, Angela, their two daughters, Cassidie and Raimi, and his parents, Larry and Cheryl of Wapello, IA.
Petty Officer Dossett was a 1985 graduate of Wapello High School in Wapello, IA. He was respected in the community for his strong mind and sense of devotion to serve our country. Trace joined the Navy shortly after graduating from high school and ended his six year tour in the early 1990s. He joined the Naval Reserve a year ago and was activated in January. I am proud of the patriotism displayed by Petty Officer Trace Dossett and his exemplary commitment to defending America. I offer my condolences to his family and close with the words of his wife, "Trace died a hero and he would have had it no other way."
PFC BRANDON CHAUNCY STURDY
Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to PFC Brandon Chauncy Sturdy, the fourteenth Iowan to be killed in Iraq in brave service to our country. PFC Sturdy was a machine gunner in the 2nd Battalion of the 1st Marine Regiment in the 1st Marine Division. I offer my deepest sympathy to his parents, Shelly Rivera and David Sturdy and his fiancé, Tricia Johnson.
PFC Sturdy was killed by the explosion of a homemade bomb in Iraq on Thursday, May 13 in the Al Anbar Province near Fallujah. I thank him for his patriotic duty to his country and am proud to honor the courage he boldly displayed as a Marine. PFC Sturdy was a 2003 graduate of Urbandale High School in Urbandale, IA. A statement released by Brandon's family describes him as "the best of the best" who "set the bar high for us to reach for". He was a top notch Marine who had already been awarded the National Defense Medal and a Purple Heart. Brandon Sturdy died a hero fighting to preserve freedom. He was a brave patriot whose presence will be missed. I am proud of the model of service he provided to Iowans and I again offer my condolences to his family.