Staff Sergeant Brock A. Beery, 30, of Whitehouse, Tennessee, was killed when his armored vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device (IED) near Al Habbaniyah, west of Fallujah in Iraq on 23 March 2006.

At the time of the incident Beery was driving a fully armored light medium tactical vehicle (LMTV), the Army’s newest version of the 2½ ton truck. Beery was assigned to the Kentucky Army National Guard’s Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 123rd Armor, based in Bowling Green.

The unit mobilized for Operation Iraqi Freedom in March of 2005 and deployed in July 2005. Originally from Warsaw, IN, Beery joined the Indiana National Guard on 23 February 1993 as a seventeen year old high school junior. He completed basic training and advanced individualized training at Fort Benning, GA. In May of 1997 he transferred to the Kentucky Army National Guard, joining Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 123rd Armor in Bowling Green. Staff Sgt. Beery separated from the Guard and entered the individual ready reserve (IRR) 22 February 2000 then later re-joined the Kentucky Army National Guard on 13 February 2001. During his time with the Indiana Army National Guard, he performed a Sinai, Egypt deployment for one year. He also deployed with his unit in 2002 to 2003 for a rotation in Bosnia. Beery had been a full-time Guard employee in Bowling Green.

From the Congressional Record

Mr. BAYH. Mr. President, I rise today with a heavy heart and deep sense of gratitude to honor the life of a brave young man from Warsaw, IN. SSG Brock Beery, 30 years old, died on March 23 when his armored vehicle struck a land mine 80 miles west of Baghdad. With his entire life before him, Brock risked everything to fight for the values we Americans hold close to our hearts, in a land halfway around the world.

Brock decided to pursue a career in the Army in 1994, immediately following his graduation from Tippecanoe Valley High School. Remembered as a good student and a good husband, Brock took great pride in his work. He remained close to his family throughout his time in Iraq and planned to attend his younger sister's high school graduation in June. His father recounted to a local newspaper, “[Brock] liked his job. He liked challenges; he put his best foot forward every time. He gave his best to his family, too.''

Brock was killed while serving his country in Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was a member of the Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 123rd Armored Division, based in Bowling Green, KY. This brave young soldier leaves behind his mother and father, Pamela and Roger Beery; his wife and 7-year-old daughter, Sara and Elissa; his sister, Hope; and his brothers, Joel and Tobey. He was serving his third overseas tour of duty.

Today, I join Brock's family and friends in mourning his death. While we struggle to bear our sorrow over this loss, we can also take pride in the example he set, bravely fighting to make the world a safer place. It is his courage and strength of character that people will remember when they think of Brock, a memory that will burn brightly during these continuing days of conflict and grief.

Brock was known for his dedication to his family and his love of country. Today and always, Brock will be remembered by family members, friends and fellow Hoosiers as a true American hero and we honor the sacrifice he made while dutifully serving his country.

  As I search for words to do justice in honoring Brock's sacrifice, I am reminded of President Lincoln's remarks as he addressed the families of the fallen soldiers in Gettysburg: “We cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate, we cannot hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here.” This statement is just as true today as it was nearly 150 years ago, as I am certain that the impact of Brock's actions will live on far longer that any record of these words.

 It is my sad duty to enter the name of Brock A. Beery in the official record of the U.S. Senate for his service to this country and for his profound commitment to freedom, democracy, and peace. When I think about this just cause in which we are engaged and the unfortunate pain that comes with the loss of our heroes, I hope that families like Brock's can find comfort in the words of the prophet Isaiah who said,

“He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces.”

May God grant strength and peace to those who mourn, and may God be with all of you, as I know He is with Brock.