John Ensign: “I rise to speak of a brave young nevadan, PFC Matthew Commons, who was killed in combat in Afghanistan. I am humbled and…”

“I rise to speak of a brave young nevadan, PFC Matthew Commons, who was killed in combat in Afghanistan. I am humbled and grateful that he was willing to make the ultimate sacrifice to preserve our freedom. For he is one of the noble soldiers of whom Thomas Jefferson spoke when he warned that "the tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time, with the blood of patriots and tyrants." In doing his duty for God and country, he gave up all so that we could grow and thrive and learn and love in the greatest Nation in the world. He is our fallen hero. A grateful Nation should never forget, he had family, friends, and plans for the future. He was just 21 years of age, old enough to dedicate his life to protecting our country, but too young to have a family of his own. His mother told me that one of the hardest burdens she now has to bear is the knowledge she will never get to hold Matthew's children. Matthew was an all-American kid, growing up in Boulder City. He ran track and played soccer at Boulder City High. He was elected secretary of his senior class. On September 11, al-Qaida terrorists attacked the United States. On March 4, Matthew Commons sought to make sure that would never happen again. He died to make sure that no American was left behind at the mercy of al-Qaida. His mission was a success. And his fellow soldiers endured heavy fire so that he, too, ultimately would come home from the front.”