Honoring Our Armed Forces

CONGRESSIONAL RECORD
SENATE
Nov. 20, 2004

HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES

STAFF SERGEANT CHARLES "CHUCK" KISER

Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, over a week ago we celebrated Veterans Day. In countless parades, ceremonies, and prayer services, Americans honored and remembered the service and sacrifices of all of those who have answered the call of duty. In the days that have followed, I continue to be reminded of something President Ronald Reagan said more than 20 years ago, something he said about the brave service men and women who did not return from the field of battle. This is what he said:

Their lives remind us that freedom is not bought cheaply. It has a cost; it imposes a burden. And just as they whom we commemorate were willing to sacrifice, so, too must we-in a less final, less heroic way-be willing to give of ourselves.

That is an important lesson, our willingness to repay the debts we who are left behind owe our fallen soldiers, this notion of giving of ourselves. It is a lesson the students of McNicholas High School in Cincinnati have taken to heart.

On June 24, 2004, 37-year-old Army SSgt Charles "Chuck" Kiser, an Ohio native and former McNicholas High graduate, lost his life in Iraq while saving the lives of his comrades.

The current students at McNicholas wanted to honor and remember Chuck Kiser this year on Veterans Day, so they went about raising enough money to hold a ceremony and fly Chuck's wife Deb and their two children, Alicia and Mark, from Wisconsin to Ohio, for the services. In their own way, these students gave of themselves. They reached out to the Kiser family and said we will not forget your husband. We will not forget your father. We will not forget him either.

Chuck Kiser was a loving husband, doting father, and courageous soldier. He grew up in Amelia, OH, in a home with his father Charles and six women-mother Glenda and sisters Chris, Denise, Patty, Teresa, and Joy. Some say that living with all those women is what toughened him up and made him into such an outstanding soldier. I imagine that is very true.

Their father passed away in 2002. Chuck and his dad were very close. Chuck followed in his dad's footsteps when he entered the military. The elder Charles had served in the Navy and was a Korean War veteran. Chuck's brother-in-law, Bill Grannen, said that "[Chuck's] father instilled that kind of love of country and commitment in him. I'm sure they're together now."

Chuck was a runner-and a good one, at that. He began his track career in the third grade at St. Bernadette School and continued running through college. At McNicholas High School and at the University of Cincinnati, he was a champion sprinter. As a high school senior, he finished in second place in the 200-meter run at the state Class AA meet. In fact, he also holds the University of Cincinnati records for the 300 meter and the 300 yard dash indoors. His former coach, Brett Schnier remembered Chuck as his top recruit and that "he could run about anything."

After a year at the University, Chuck decided to join the Navy, where he would eventually meet and marry the love of his life, Deb. Chuck spent seven years in active duty in the Navy, stationed mostly in Italy. It was there that he met Deb, and they fell in love. They started a family while Chuck continued his military service.

Following his time in the Navy, he spent seven years in the Naval Reserves. Later, he entered the Army Reserve because the base was near their eventual home in Cleveland, WI.

Not only was Chuck Kiser a model soldier, he was a model father. He loved his children dearly. He was a great dad. He took joy in coaching Mark and Alicia in various sports. Last year, Chuck coached a Little League championship team and would often volunteer to work with youth at the Zion United Church of Christ in Sheboygan.

Chuck Kiser loved all kids and felt especially strong about helping the children in Iraq. According to his brother-in-law:

Charles really felt like he wanted to secure their freedoms so they could live without the fear they lived under during the dictatorship. He said that if the situation were reversed, he would hope people would come to liberate his children. He believed that in his heart.

That is why Chuck never hesitated when he and the rest of his Army Reserve unit-the 330th Military Police Detachment-were deployed to Iraq earlier this year. He wanted to defend our Nation, and he wanted the Iraqi people to have the same freedoms he and his family enjoyed. Chuck was proud to be serving his country. He was proud to help the Iraqi people in whatever way he could.

Staff Sergeant Kiser lost his life helping the Iraqi people and saving the lives of his Comrades. He was on guard duty in Mosul, Iraq when insurgents began firing from a truck loaded with explosives. Chuck returned fire, but was killed when the truck crashed and exploded. Army Major Mark Magalski noted that Chuck saved countless lives in his final act of bravery.

Upon Chuck's death, hundreds in his hometown of Amelia gathered to show their support for the Kiser family. At the Clermont County courthouse, signs hung that read, "God Bless Chuck and the Kiser Family." Flags were placed in yards and the community came out to help the Kisers in any way they could.

I had the privilege of meeting Chuck's family at the memorial service held in his honor, and I want to thank them for sharing their memories with me. The service was fitting for a man so full of life. The family requested that the service be a celebration of Chuck's life rather than a time of mourning. As patriotic music played, thousands paid tribute to this American hero. The service was a testament to the love his community had for this brave man-and a testament to the number of lives he touched.

Staff Sergeant Charles Kiser was a good, decent, loving man, who protected our Nation bravely. We will remember him always. I yield the floor.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.