Evan Bayh: “with a heavy heart and deep sense of gratitude I honor the life of a brave young man who grew up in Clarksville, IN.…”

“with a heavy heart and deep sense of gratitude I honor the life of a brave young man who grew up in Clarksville, IN. Sgt. James Daniel Faulkner, 23 years old, died on September 8 when the armored personnel carrier he was driving at the head of a convoy was struck by enemy fire in Baghdad. With his entire life before him, James chose to risk everything to fight for the values Americans hold close to our hearts, in a land halfway around the world. James graduated from Clarksville High School in 1999. He attended Indiana University Southeast for 1 year before deciding that he wanted to seek different opportunities. Shortly thereafter James, along with a longtime friend from high school, joined the Army in November of 2000. James was a combat engineer who served his country with pride. He was assigned to the 1st Cavalry's 20th Engineer Battalion, based in Fort Hood, TX. Just a few weeks ago, James visited with his family for the last time while on leave before returning to Iraq to fulfill his tour of duty, which started in March of this year. James was the 34th Hoosier soldier to be killed while serving his country in Operation Iraqi Freedom. This brave young soldier leaves behind his fiancee, Lisa Moreno, whom he was set to marry in July; his mother, Pam Gilkey; his father, James Faulkner; his stepfather; his three sisters; and his two brothers. Today, I join James' family, his friends and all Americans in mourning his death.”