Spc. Christine Faith Armstrong, 27, whose home of record is listed as Twentynine Palms, California, entered active-duty military service in February 2014 as a motor transport operator and was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 16th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, since September 2014. Armstrong’s awards and decorations include a National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon and Overseas Service Ribbon.
Learn more from III Corps and Fort Hood Facebook page here.
Mr. Speaker, Texas has been hammered by historic torrential rain and flooding. As the Texas floodwaters rose, 12 soldiers from Fort Hood, Texas, were crossing Owl Creek in a 21⁄2-ton Light Medium Tactical Vehicle when it became stuck in the Owl Creek low water crossing.
Suddenly, the vehicle was swept over and sent downstream by fast-moving water. Nine American soldiers drowned in the massive flood waters. Today, we remember them, and here they are: Staff Sergeant Miguel Colon Vazquez, 38, from New York.
The soldiers were members of the 3rd Battalion, 16th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team of the 1st Cavalry Division. These American soldiers were volunteers who swore to protect the United States.
They were a cut above the rest and were ready to defend freedom at home and abroad. Their lives were ripped from this world and their families all too soon. We are grateful for them and their families for their service and their sacrifices.
These soldiers are the best of America. Our thoughts and prayers are with the soldiers and their families, who have been devastated by the floods of Texas this spring.
Our country often doesn’t truly realize the time and training and sacrifice that goes into preparing our Warriors for serving and protecting us all over this world. We somehow think that our sons and daughters, who were just yesterday playing basketball in the driveway or video games with friends or just worrying about assignments due at school, all of a sudden are turned into warriors without any danger or sacrifice. It is our responsibility to recognize the tremendous amount of effort that goes into making these kids down the block into men and women who stand ever ready to defend us against our enemies. Two years ago, during what we now know to be a questionable training exercise, we lost nine precious lives. Families and survivors have been forever changed, their path in life significantly altered.
These men and women died here on our soil. They woke up that morning ready to learn and ready to complete just another training mission like any other. They never knew this would be their last day here or the fear and doubt that would surround their passing. As Americans, we honor them. We honor them for signing on the dotted line, for their dedication to each other, for their passion for their country and its people and for their devotion to their mission. We remember them as regular people preparing to do amazing things…as Warriors. But we also remember them as ours, as our sons, daughter’s, mothers, sisters, brothers, fathers, and friends. We remember them in how they lived and what courage it took to do so. We pause and take note that Warriors are not born but molded and their sacrifices never ever forgotten. -The Fort Hood Fallen (June 2, 2018)
Mr. Speaker, Texas has been hammered by historic torrential rain and flooding. As the Texas floodwaters rose, 12 soldiers from Fort Hood, Texas, were crossing Owl Creek in a 21⁄2-ton Light Medium Tactical Vehicle when it became stuck in the Owl Creek low water crossing.
Suddenly, the vehicle was swept over and sent downstream by fast-moving water. Nine American soldiers drowned in the massive flood waters. Today, we remember them, and here they are: Staff Sergeant Miguel Colon Vazquez, 38, from New York.
The soldiers were members of the 3rd Battalion, 16th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team of the 1st Cavalry Division. These American soldiers were volunteers who swore to protect the United States.
They were a cut above the rest and were ready to defend freedom at home and abroad. Their lives were ripped from this world and their families all too soon. We are grateful for them and their families for their service and their sacrifices.
These soldiers are the best of America. Our thoughts and prayers are with the soldiers and their families, who have been devastated by the floods of Texas this spring.
Fort Carson Army soldier, SSG Justine Holt, 31, was killed in a rollover accident at a post training area on February 6, 2015 in Colorado. Base officials said five others were also injured when the Stryker fighting vehicle turned over. Investigators said the Army vehicle took the wrong road in the dark and was making a U-turn when it tumbled 250 feet off a cliff at the training range. According to the Army, the crash caused $2.6 million dollars worth of damage to the Stryker. The Army also reported that no one was disciplined after the crash.
Documents released to the AP this week said Holt had an unspecified medical condition, that he suffered shoulder pain and he wasn’t sleeping well. But a captain cleared him to participate in the exercise against the advice of a physician assistant and a squadron commander, the report said. The report didn’t say whether Holt’s condition was a factor in his death or the crash. –The Denver Post
Army Captain Jeremy Chandler, 30, died while he was conducting training operations at Forward Operating Base Ripley in Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan on August 11, 2005. Capt. Chandler died while he was preparing for combat operations in Afghanistan. Capt. Chandler was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom on behalf of the 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. At the time of the Department of Defense press release, the incident was under investigation. According to an article in Savannah Now, Jeremy and his team were conducting pre-mission training operations at FOB Ripley when explosives issued to the team detonated and killed Jeremy.
“The Captain Jeremy Chandler Leadership Scholarship was established at North Georgia College & State University immediately following Jeremy’s death. The scholarship is offered annually to a participant of Ranger Challenge, one of the cadet organizations at the school. The Jeremy Chandler Medical Clinic in Afghanistan was dedicated in Jeremy’s name in November 2006. Jonnie and Al said they wept upon hearing the news of the dedication….Jeremy’s legacy is also being carried on through the Captain Jeremy Chandler Marine Marathon Team in the Marine Corps Marathon to raise money for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation. The event raises money to provide educational assistance for the children of fallen Special Operations personnel.” -Savannah Now (May 16, 2007)
MILITARY JUSTICE FOR ALL 