Chuck Grassley: “it is with sadness that I pay tribute today to a young man from Iowa who gave his life in service to his country. PFC…”

“it is with sadness that I pay tribute today to a young man from Iowa who gave his life in service to his country. PFC Brian A. Botello was killed on April 29, 2007, while serving in Iraq as part of the 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division. My prayers go out to his mother Karyn, in Alta, IA, and his father Tony in Michigan. They can be proud of their son's honorable service and the tremendous sacrifice he made for his country. All Americans owe a debt of gratitude to Brian Botello. His memory will live on along those other patriots who have laid down their lives for the cause of freedom. I know that Brian's loss will be felt particularly deeply in the small town of Alta where he grew up. I know that flags have been flown at half mast and everyone from his neighbors to classmates from high school to members of his church are sharing stories and grieving as they remember Brian. I hope that they are able to take comfort in the fact that Brian Botello died honorably as an American patriot and he is now in a better place.”