Ladies and Gentleman of the Senate,
It is my honor to speak on behalf of 2LT Justin L. Sisson. Justin was truly a remarkable man and a Soldier. I am truly humbled to call him my friend, and brother. 2LT Sisson served as one of my Platoon Leaders in Able Company 1-506th, 101st Airborne Division. In the short time that I knew Justin we became great friends and immediately created a bond that only Soldiers develop in Combat.
We worked out every day together and would have long conversations about what we did before we came into the Army. We both shared a great love for animals and that would always somehow come up in our conversation at some point. As most Soldiers do, we talked about our favorite shows and both of us enjoyed talking about the Walking Dead and could not wait for the next season to come out.
In my almost 16 years in the Army, 2LT Justin Sisson was one of the best Officers and Leaders that I have had the privilege of working with. Prior to the deployment Justin was not in the Company. He met up with his Platoon once we got into Country. He immediately formed a bond that I have not seen often with a new LT and his PLT. He immediately took charge and set the example for his Soldiers to follow. It did not take long to realize that he was a great asset to his Platoon as well as the Company. You could tell that he had something special about him. He loved his Soldiers, the Army, and his Country.
On 3 June 2013, our Company sent out a patrol to the District Center in Chamkani, Afghanistan to talk with the local Police, Afghan Army Leaders, and village elders about the security in the village. When the meeting was done the patrol started moving back to our remote fire base in the mountains. The patrol was hit by a suicide bomber on a motorcycle. The explosion killed 10 Afghani children, 2 US Soldiers and wounded 18 more of my Soldiers. By this time my Company had only been deployed a month. This was the first time that we made contact with the enemy and unfortunately was not the last time during the deployment.
On that terrible day two outstanding Americans paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. Since that day I have done everything that I could to try and live my life in their honor and to get the story out about both of these young men. Honoring our fallen Soldiers by naming Highways in their honor is a great way to do this. Whenever I am driving down the road and see a road sign with a Soldiers name on it, I know that there is a remarkable story behind it, and that they laid down their life for this country and our freedom. There is nothing that we can ever do to thank these fine Soldiers like LT Sisson or their family, but we can do things to honor and remember them.
It would truly be an honor to name a Highway in remembrance of Justin in the great State of Kansas. He was born in this state, went to school in this state, and is buried in the National Cemetery in this State. Thank you all very much for your time. God Bless America.
v/R,
ISG Christopher Kyle Donaldson