News Release

WASHINGTON – On Thursday, US Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) delivered remarks on the Senate floor honoring fallen Hoosier service members ahead of Memorial Day.

“Just two weeks ago, we lost Sgt. Christopher Wesley Curry. Only 23-years-old, this Hoosier soldier from Terre Haute, Indiana, was stationed in Iraq,” said Senator Young. “To those who are not here today, because they made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation, we humbly say thank you. Their legacy lives on in the hearts of every American.”

Here are some of his remarks:

Memorial Day. If you travel door to door, in neighborhoods across the country, all Americans will agree this day is special. It is a day to honor the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of our country.

Thanks to their heroism, we have our freedom, our strong democracy, and our country’s greatness. For that, we owe them a debt we can never repay.

152 years ago, our 16th President Abraham Lincoln enacted the first national Memorial Day. It was a day meant to honor the valiant soldiers who fought in the civil war. 

Today we still heed Lincoln’s timeless words: “Bind up the nation’s wounds to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan.”

To me, Memorial Day is a day to reflect. Reflect on the Hoosiers we have lost to causes greater than their own.

This day honors Alec. Lance Corporal Alec Terwiske was a fellow Marine from Dubois, Indiana. Alec lost his life in the line of service in Afghanistan in 2012.

Today I proudly wear his memorial bracelet around my wrist as a constant reminder of his sacrifice.

This day honors James. Cpl. James Bethel Gresham from Evansville, Indiana is in the history books. For being among the first American soldiers to give their lives in the line of service on the battlefield during World War I.

This day honors Charles. Sgt. Charles G. Ruble of Parker City, Indiana was killed in Europe during World War II in 1944. His remains were recently identified and returned to the United States. And in March, he was buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery.

This day honors Christopher. Just two weeks ago, we lost Sgt. Christopher Wesley Curry, a 23-year-old Hoosier soldier from Terre Haute, Indiana who was stationed in Iraq.

To those who are not here today, because they made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation, we humbly say thank you. Their legacy lives on in the hearts of every American.