Sgt. First Class Will D. Lindsay Tribute

Floor Speech

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Mr. TIPTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Sgt. First Class Will D. Lindsay from Cortez, Colorado, an American soldier who was recently killed defending our country in the Kunduz Province of Afghanistan. He and Spc. Joseph Collette, both Fort Carson based soldiers, were killed in an attack fighting against the Taliban.

Sgt. Lindsay was born in Cortez in 1985. The grandson of World War II veteran Richard Lindsay and World War II veteran Warren Waldorf, he was no stranger to service. He followed his grandfather's footsteps when he enlisted into the Army in 2004, ultimately getting selected into the elite 10th Special Forces Group. This prestigious fighting group deploys to some of the world's most heated combat zones and Sgt. Lindsay bravely deployed with them seven times including five tours in Iraq, one in Tajikistan and this final deployment to Afghanistan.

As a highly decorated combat veteran, Sgt. Lindsay had an expansive list of military awards and decorations to include a Silver Star, Purple Heart, four Bronze Stars, two Meritorious Service Medals, two Meritorious Unit Awards, the Valorous Unit Award, the Army Superior Unit Award, four Army Good Conduct Medals, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terror Service Medal, the NCO Professional Development Ribbon with numeral four, the Army Service Ribbon, two Overseas Service Ribbons, the NATO Medal, the Special Forces Tab, the Combat Infantry Badge, the Military Free Fall Jumpmaster Badge, the Master Parachutist Badge, the Chilean Airborne Wings, and the Senior Instructor Badge. Sgt. Lindsay's record is a testament to his commitment of putting country before self, as he did in the Army for nearly 15 years.

I stand before the House of Representatives with a heavy heart thinking about his family and their great loss, especially his wife Sarah, his four daughters and his parents Grant and Tammy. I join the town of Cortez, his brothers and sisters in arms, and the entire nation in mourning his untimely death. I have gotten to know Sgt. Lindsay's family over the years and his loss will be felt by many in our small community.

Madam Speaker, Sgt. Lindsay's death is a painful reminder of the sacrifices our men and women in the military endure. Sgt. Lindsay was a true American hero from one of the most rural areas in Colorado who died protecting his men and the country he loved. He dedicated his life to selflessly protect our great nation and we are all proud of him. His loss is tragic, but his legacy will be remembered for generations to come, and the world is a better place because of him.

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