Evan Bayh: “I rise today to honor the life of SSG Kevin Matthew Pape of the U.S. Army and Fort Wayne, IN. Staff Sergeant Pape was…”

“I rise today to honor the life of SSG Kevin Matthew Pape of the U.S. Army and Fort Wayne, IN. Staff Sergeant Pape was assigned to C Company, 1st Battalion, in the 75th Ranger Regiment at Hunter Army Airfield in Georgia. He was 30 years old when he lost his life on November 16, 2010, while bravely serving in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Kunar Province, Afghanistan. He was on his third tour of duty in Afghanistan, after three tours in Iraq. A native of Fort Wayne, Staff Sergeant Pape graduated from Concordia High School in 1998. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2005 and graduated from the Ranger Assessment and Selection Program in 2006, where he served as a machine gunner, team leader and squad leader. COL Michael Kurilla, Commander of the 75th Ranger Regiment, recalled that Staff Sergeant Pape, ``had two priorities in his life--his family and the Rangers he led. By the manner in which he lived his life, Staff Sergeant Pape defined sacrifice, dedicated, and selfless service.'' Staff Sergeant Pape's numerous awards and decorations include the Ranger Tab, the Expert Infantry Badge, the Combat Infantry Badge and the Parachutist Badge. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart and the Meritorious Service Medal. Today, I join Staff Sergeant Pape's family and friends in mourning his death.”