Ross honors Butcher in Congressional Record

U.S. Congressman Mike Ross of Prescott honored the late U.S. Army Specialist Sarina N. Butcher on November 17, in the U.S. Congressional Record – the official, permanent record of the proceedings in the U.S. House of Representatives. Specialist Butcher died on Nov. 1, 2011, in Paktia Province, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. She was born in Crossett, Ark., and her mother and daughter both reside in El Dorado, Ark. Her father resides in Checotah, Okla. Ross also had an American flag flown over the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C., in honor of Specialist Butcher.
Ross’s Congressional Record statement reads:
“In Honor of Army Specialist Sarina Butcher”
MR. SPEAKER, I rise today to honor an exceptional soldier and a true American hero who died in service to this great country. On November 1, 2011, U.S. Army Specialist Sarina N. Butcher was killed at the age of 19 years old in Paktia Province, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. According to initial reports, Specialist Butcher died of injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near her military vehicle.
Specialist Butcher was born in Crossett, Arkansas, and spent many of her childhood years in southern Arkansas, where much of her family still lives today. Specialist Butcher eventually moved to Oklahoma, where she graduated high school and eventually joined the Oklahoma National Guard. At the time of her death, she was assigned to F Company, 700th Brigade Support Battalion, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Army National Guard, based in Tulsa, Okla.
We now know that Specialist Butcher was the first female and youngest Oklahoma National Guard soldier killed since the wars in Iraq & Afghanistan began, but she will be remembered for much more than that. She will be remembered as an outstanding solider. In fact, soon after her death, Private First Class Butcher was posthumously promoted to Specialist Butcher. She also earned a National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Oklahoma Good Conduct Medal, Bronze Star and Purple Heart all at the age of 19.
Specialist Butcher will also be remembered as a loving daughter, a loving mother to her beautiful 2-year-old daughter, Zoey, and a good friend to all who knew her. She leaves behind an incredible void that will be impossible to fill. My thoughts and prayers are with her daughter; her mother, Dana; her father, James; and, with all of her friends and family during this very difficult time.
Last Sunday would have been Specialist Butcher’s 20th birthday. It’s hard when we lose any soldier in war, but it’s especially hard when we lose such a young soldier. However, Specialist Butcher’s too short of a life leaves behind a legacy longer than she could have ever lived. Her legacy of valor, distinction, patriotism and bravery will be remembered for years to come and will be told to her daughter as she grows up.
Specialist Butcher was honored and laid to rest on Veterans Day and I had the privilege to speak at her funeral service. Her story and her sacrifice are startling reminders of what our men and women in uniform risk when they serve this country.
Today, I ask all Members of Congress to join me as we honor the life and legacy of Army Specialist Sarina Butcher, as well as each man and woman in our Armed Forces, and all of those in harm’s way supporting their efforts, who give the ultimate sacrifice in service to this great country. We owe them our eternal gratitude.