U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) made the following floor statement late Tuesday in honor of the 17 soldiers killed in the Black Hawk helicopter crash in Mosul on November 15:

“Mr. President, I rise to honor the 17 soldiers who lost their lives on Saturday in Mosul when two Black Hawk helicopters collided.

This tragedy stands as the deadliest single incident since Operation Iraqi Freedom began in March. It is the largest single loss of life for the 101st Airborne in 15 years. All 17 young soldiers served in the 101st Airborne Division based at Fort Campbell. All 17 died serving their country with valor and courage.

I would like to read each of their names for the record:

1.          Sgt. Michael D. Acklin II, age 25, of Louisville, KY
   

2.          Spc. (specialist) Ryan T. Baker, age 24, of Browns Mills, NJ
   

3.          Sgt. 1st Class Kelly Bolor, age 37, of Whittier, CA
   

4.          Spc. Jeremy DiGiovanni, age 21, of Pricedale, MS
   

5.          Spc. William D. Dusenbery, age 30, of Fairview Heights, IL
   

6.          Pfc. (Private First Class) Rick Hafer, age 21, of Nitro, WV
   

7.          Sgt. Warren S. Hansen, age 36, of Clintonville, WI
   

8.          Pfc. Sheldon R. Hawk Eagle, age 21, of Grand Forks, ND
   

9.          Pfc. Damian L. Heidelberg, age 21, of MS
   

10.        Chief Warrant Officer Erik C. Kesterson, age 29, of Independence, OR
    

11.        1st Lt. Pierre Piche, age 28, of Starksboro, VT
    

12.        Sgt. John W. Russell, age 26, of Portland, TX
    

13.        Chief Warrant Officer Scott A. Saboe, age 33, of Willow Lake, SD
    

14.        Spc. John R. Sullivan, age 26, of Countryside, IL
    

15.        Spc. Eugene A. Uhl III, age 21, of Amherst, WI
    

16.        Pfc. Joey Whitener, age 19, of McDowell County, NC
    

17.        2nd Lt. Jeremy L. Wolfe, age 27, of Menomonie, WI
    

My heart goes out to the families of these brave young men. America mourns your loss and honors you for the profound sacrifice you must now bear.

My heart goes out to the community of Fort Campbell, which grieves the loss of these 17 young men and the 36 other valiant soldiers of the 101st who have lost their lives since the war in Iraq began. Each and every one of these soldiers is a credit to our country.

The great American philosopher and poet, Ralph Waldo Emerson, wrote that “Peace has its victories, but it takes brave men and women to win them.”

We will press forward in honor of those who’ve lost their lives fighting this just and honorable war. With their names emblazoned on our hearts, we will secure the victories of peace.

God bless them, and God bless America.”