Evan Bayh: “it is with a heavy heart and deep sense of gratitude that I honor the life of a brave young man from Munster. Shaun…”

“it is with a heavy heart and deep sense of gratitude that I honor the life of a brave young man from Munster. Shaun Blue, 25 years old, died on April 16 while deployed in Al Anbar Province on Operation Iraqi Freedom. With his entire life before him, Shaun risked everything to fight for the values Americans hold close to our hearts, in a land halfway around the world. Shaun was a lifelong Hoosier, graduating among the top 10 students of his class from Munster High School in 2000. He joined the military because, as his high school principal said, ``He was one of those kids who did things everyone else was afraid to do.'' His valor over the course of his service in Iraq exemplifies Hoosier values and courage. His track and field coach at Munster High described Shaun as a mentally tough kid saying, ``The fact that he chose the career path that he did didn't surprise me. It was perfectly suited for him.'' Shaun was killed by an improvised explosive device while serving his country in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Today, I join Shaun's family and friends in mourning his death.”