On the recordJuly 14, 2010
I rise today to remember and to pay tribute to a fallen hero, U.S. Army SPC Edwin C.L. Wood of Omaha, NE. Edwin was a proud member of B Troop, 1st Squadron, 71st Armored Regiment of the 10th Mountain Division operating in Kandahar. As many have heard, this area is a Taliban stronghold and one of the most dangerous areas in Afghanistan. On July 5, only a few weeks after arriving there, Specialist Wood was killed when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. His death is a great loss to our Nation and to Nebraska, his home State. People in his home community of Omaha recall Eddie's big heart, his willingness to jump right in to help out, and his longstanding love for the military. He was a leader of the North High School Junior ROTC Program. He served as a counselor and a mentor at the YMCA Camp in Crescent, IA, and from an early age participated in military reenactments with his father. Also from an early age he loved wearing uniforms. His nickname was 'Freckles,' which also fit his cheerful, helpful personality.
