Todd Tiahrt: “Today marks the 277th day that Martin and Gracia Burnham have been held captive by Muslim terrorists in the Philippines.…”

“Today marks the 277th day that Martin and Gracia Burnham have been held captive by Muslim terrorists in the Philippines. Last Thursday, 10 American servicemen lost their lives in a helicopter crash while conducting a bilateral training exercise with the Philippine Defense Forces. From the Army's E company, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, Airborne, we mourn Major Curtis D. Feistner, Captain Bartt D. Owens, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jody L. Egnor, Staff Sergeant James P. Dorrity, Staff Sergeant Kerry W. Frith, Staff Sergeant Bruce A. Rushforth, Jr., Sergeant Jeremy D. Foshee, Specialist Thomas F. Allison. From the 320th Special Tactics Squadron, we mourn Master Sergeant William L. McDaniel, II and Staff Sergeant Juan M. Ridout. I am extremely grateful for their service to our Nation. I send heartfelt prayers to their families, friends, and fellow soldiers for their loss. Their honor, courage, selflessness, and patriotism cannot be overstated. These fine men were casualties in our global war on terrorism. The U.S. military's presence in the Philippines is assisting the Philippine government in their own national war on terrorism with the Abu Sayyaf. It is hoped that the Army's presence there may additionally help in the freedom of Martin and Gracia Burnham from their nightmare. I ask my colleagues to join me in praying for these men and their families. Let us continue to make our Nation a shining beacon of freedom so their deaths were not in vain.”