Cord Byrd: “on Easter Sunday, April 11, 2004, this Nation lost a fine soldier, a good man, a loving father and husband, and a…”

“on Easter Sunday, April 11, 2004, this Nation lost a fine soldier, a good man, a loving father and husband, and a faithful Christian when SGM Michael Boyd Stack of C Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group Airborne, was killed in an ambush in Iraq. SGM Stack is 1 of more than 700 men and women who have given their lives in this conflict and 1 of the more than 100 who were killed in the month of April alone. Each is mourned. Each is honored. Each is sorely missed. These men and women knew the meaning of duty, honor, and courage. They and their comrades in arms still serving are most emphatically not the summer soldier and the sunshine patriot whom Thomas Paine warned against, who shrink from the service of their country in times of crisis. SGM Stack and his fallen comrades wore the uniform of the United States proudly and bravely. When told to go to Iraq and Afghanistan, they saluted and prepared to go. They said their farewells to their loving and fearful families and set off. From spare bivouacs, they patrolled dusty streets and lonely highways. They faced rocket- propelled grenades, improvised landmines, sniper fire, and ambush. They looked out for one another with humor and grace and caring. They gave their very best. In the end, they gave their all. Soldier, rest! Thy warfare oer, Sleep the sleep that knows not breaking, Dream of battled fields no more, Days of danger, nights of waking. So said Sir Walter Scott in the Lady of the Lake.…”