On the recordMarch 25, 2010
I rise today to pay tribute to 14 servicemembers from California or based in California who have died while serving our country in Operation Enduring Freedom since December 16, 2009. This brings to 147 the number of servicemembers either from California or based in California who have been killed while serving our country in Afghanistan. This represents 14 percent of all U.S. deaths in Afghanistan. PFC Serge Kropov, 21, of Hawley, PA, died December 20, 2009, as a result of a nonhostile incident in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Private First Class Kropov was assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, CA. LCpl Omar G. Roebuck, 23, of Moreno Valley, CA, died December 22, 2009, as a result of a nonhostile incident in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Lance Corporal Roebuck was assigned to 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, NC. SSG David H. Gutierrez, 35, of San Francisco, CA, died December 25, 2009, at Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his dismounted patrol with an improvised explosive device in Howz-e Madad.
