Chuck Hagel: “I express my sympathy over the loss of Linda Tarango-Griess of Sutton, NE, a Sergeant First Class in the Nebraska Army…”

“I express my sympathy over the loss of Linda Tarango-Griess of Sutton, NE, a Sergeant First Class in the Nebraska Army National Guard. SFC Tarango-Griess was killed on July 11, 2004 near the city of Samarra in Iraq when a roadside bomb exploded near her convoy. She was 33 years old. SFC Tarango-Griess was originally from North Platte and graduated from Kearney High School. She was a full-time soldier for 14 years in the Nebraska Army National Guard and was deployed to Iraq in February of this year. Tarango-Griess was assigned to the 267th Ordnance Company based in Lincoln and was responsible for direct support maintenance for coalition forces in the region, including the installation of additional armor protection on military Humvee vehicles to make them safer. Tarango-Griess was one of thousands of brave American service women and men serving in Iraq. SFC Tarango-Griess is survived by her parents, Augustin and Juanita Tarango of North Platte; and husband, SSGT Douglas Griess, of Sutton. Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this difficult time. America is proud of Linda Tarango-Griess' service and mourns her loss. For her service, bravery, and sacrifice, I ask my colleagues to join me and all Americans in honoring SFC Tarango-Griess.”