Ann Wagner: “Today I rise in honor of an American hero. On March 16, 2006, Missouri's Second Congressional District lost a brave…”

“Today I rise in honor of an American hero. On March 16, 2006, Missouri's Second Congressional District lost a brave young soldier when United States Army Sergeant Amanda N. Pinson was killed in a mortar attack while serving during Operation Iraqi Freedom. I would like to take a moment to reflect on the life of this courageous young woman. Army Sergeant Amanda Pinson was a signals intelligence analyst assigned to the 101st Military Intelligence Detachment of the 101st Airborne Division, based in Fort Campbell, Kentucky. The Screaming Eagles are personal to me. My oldest son, Raymond, is presently serving as a captain in the 101st Airborne. Growing up in Lemay, Missouri, Amanda enlisted in the Army after graduating from Hancock Place High School, where she won several scholarships and was on the basketball and softball teams. Amanda was always concerned with helping others. In high school, she started her own group called the Hancock Environmental Leadership Program, and she enlisted all of her friends to join her in making a difference. Amanda and her group of dedicated volunteers planted trees at local parks and volunteered with local seniors. The group also planted and maintained flowers at the entrance of Jefferson Barracks Park. The park where she used to plant flowers is adjoined to Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, where Amanda was laid to rest. A pink willow tree was also planted in her honor at her alma mater, Hancock High School, in 2006.…”